Tom McMillen

Rep. Chris Van HollenRep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington), the chairman of the 2008 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), was the honorary host of a fundraiser held on behalf of congressional candidate and State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) at Cottingham Farm in Easton, this evening.

Kratovil will face Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the November election in Maryland’s First Congressional District.

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com, Van Hollen called Kratovil a “terrific candidate” who “fits the political temperament of the district” and has a “good chance” of winning.

“We will do everything we can to support his effort,” Van Hollen said of the DCCC.

Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil’s communications director, said he did not know how much money the campaign expected to raise from the event, but said the cost was $250 per person.

On the fundraising question, Kratovil told PolitickerMD.com that he was pleased with the recent numbers from the first financial quarter reports, saying, “We’re dead even in cash on hand.”

Lt. Gov. Anthony BrownLt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown is “very optimistic” that Sen. Hillary Clinton will be “very successful” in the Iowa Democratic caucus, Jan. 3.

The lieutenant governor has been to Iowa three times on the senator’s behalf, including a recent visit to the Hawkeye State, where Brown met with a group of veterans.

Brown, who served in Iraq as a Reservist in 2005, told PolitickerMD.com that he had a “very robust conversation” with roughly 20 veterans, each of whom was a committed caucus-goer. He said the group was comprised of both Clinton supporters and undecided voters.