Maryland's Sixth Congressional District

Tuesday's Democratic victory in Mississippi's special congressional election, the party's third national victory in two months and second in 10 days, has Maryland Democratic Party officials confident that the trend could continue in Maryland, where Republicans hold the 1st and 6th district seats.

"Throw out the rules of political conventionality," state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor said in a statement. "There are very few safe Republican seats in America anymore; not in the Midwest, not in the deep South and certainly not in a blue Mid-Atlantic state such as Maryland. It doesn't matter how long a Republican has held the seat. It doesn't matter how many votes George Bush got in 2004, America is voting for change in 2008. America is voting Democratic."

Democratic congressional candidate Jennifer DoughertyFormer Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty (D) has repeatedly expressed frustration with Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) for his refusal to debate his challenger in Maryland's Sixth Congressional District.

The latest instance came last Wednesday night, when Dougherty and Independent candidate Gary Hoover participated in a question and answer forum in Jarrettsville; Bartlett was not present.

"This does not serve the voters very well," Dougherty told PolitickerMD.com. "At least give them the courtesy of showing up."

Lisa Wright, the congressman's press secretary, said "there was no way" Bartlett could have attended the debate last week because "there were votes that night" in Congress.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) will be the only incumbent Republican from Maryland on the congressional ballot this fall.

The eight-term representative from Maryland's Sixth Congressional District, Bartlett will square-off against former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty (D).

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will lead the GOP on the presidential ticket.

Over the years, Bartlett has come to know and "admire" McCain, according to Lisa Wright, the congressman's press secretary.

Democratic congressional candidate Jennifer DoughertySixth Congressional District candidate Jennifer Dougherty (D-Frederick) slammed Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) for his opposition to H.R. 5613, the Medicaid Safety Net Act, which passed in the House of Representatives 349-62 on Wednesday.

The legislation will impose moratoria through April 1, 2009, on the implementation of seven rules issued by the Bush administration that would have reduced federal payments for rehabilitative, outpatient and administrative services offered by Medicaid by more than $15 billion over the next five years, according to a recent report by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The specific effect that the proposal would have had on Maryland was not specified in the report.

"It's a disgraceful and insulting vote to ignore the needs of Marylanders in these tough economic times," Dougherty said in a statement. "Bartlett supports making tax cuts for the wealthiest permanent, but thumbs his nose at people who truly need help. He is out of touch and shows poor judgment with votes like this."

U.S. Rep. Roscoe BartlettRep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) has a substantial cash advantage over challenger Jennifer Dougherty (D-Frederick) despite being outraised in the first financial quarter of the year, according to new data released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The congressman reported $14,610.00 in total contributions over the quarter with an additional $1,010.00 in total receipts. He has $281,311.29 cash on hand.

Dougherty, the former mayor of Frederick, reported $28,805.40 in total contributions over the quarter, with an additional $25.00 in total receipts. She has $19,240.67 cash on hand.

U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) believes that he should become the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, but he is facing competition from a senior committee member.

Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) recently denied heavy speculation that he planned to resign his seat to run for a position in the New York state Senate. He also drafted a letter to colleagues expressing his interest in becoming the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee.

Among those who may seek the position, McHugh is the only one who ranks with Bartlett.

Last November, Bartlett individually addressed his Republican colleagues on the HASC, and declared his candidacy for the top position.

Three senior members on the committee, Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), the current ranking member, Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), and Terry Everett (R-Ala.) have all announced that they will not seek reelection this fall.