The2008 congressional elections in Maryland were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent thestate ofMaryland in theUnited States House of Representatives, coinciding with thepresidential election. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected serve in the111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011.
Maryland has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of six Democrats and two Republicans. Following the election, the delegation became seven Democrats and one Republican. District 1 was the only seat which changed party (from Republican to Democratic), and was the only district CQ Politics had forecast to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
Queen Anne's CountyState's AttorneyFrank M. Kratovil, Jr., went into the February 12 primary as the Democratic frontrunner, with primary endorsement fromThe Baltimore Sun,[6] governorMartin O'Malley, and Maryland comptrollerPeter Franchot. Kratovil became Assistant State's Attorney in 1997, State's Attorney in 2003, and president of Maryland State's Attorney's Association, 2005–2007. He defeated his closest opponent, Cambridge lawyer Christopher Robinson, by nine points in a primary that was considered much more civil than on the Republican side.[8]
While Harris had stated his belief that "the 1st Congressional District was drawn by Democrats to elect Republicans" and Gilchrest had carried the district for nine terms, Democratic leaders believed the district had "a moderate character" and was ready to support Kratovil competitively.[9] In addition to targeting by theDemocratic Congressional Campaign Committee,[10] Gilchrest staffers held "Republicans for Kratovil" events.[11] Gilchrest hinted early on that he would endorse Kratovil, being quoted as saying, "Let's see, the Republican Party, or my eternal soul?" and "Party loyalty, or integrity?"[12] On April 17, 2008, an article inPolitico announced that long-time Wayne Gilchrest campaign manager Lynn Caliguri, spouse of Gilchrest chief of staff Tony Caliguri, had joined the Kratovil campaign.[13] In early September 2008, Gilchrest officially endorsed Kratovil.[14]
The district comprises parts ofHarford,Baltimore, andAnne Arundel Counties, as well as small portions of theCity of Baltimore, and has been represented byDemocratDutch Ruppersberger since 2003. Prior to serving in Congress, Ruppersberger wasBaltimore County Executive from 1994 to 2002. Ruppersberger serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Democratic Steering Committee.
The Republican candidate is Richard Matthews, a 28-year-old computer systems engineer from Orchard Beach, who is also theAnne Arundel County,Maryland organizer for theRon Paul 2008 Presidential campaign.[20] Matthews is amoderate Republican withlibertarian political views oncivil liberties andeconomic freedom. He opposes theIraq War, and generally supports freedom of choice in both personal and economic matters.
The district comprises portions ofBaltimore,Howard andAnne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the independent city ofBaltimore, and has been represented by DemocratJohn Sarbanes since 2007. Sarbanes faced off against Republican candidate Thomas Harris; in this staunchly liberal district, Harris faced little chance against the popular Sarbanes.
The district comprises portions ofPrince George's andMontgomery Counties, and has been represented by DemocratAl Wynn since 1993. Coming off a close primary against progressive advocateDonna Edwards in 2006, Wynn faced a competitive primary against her again in 2008. While Wynn made an effort to appear more progressive, he remains one of the most conservative members of theCongressional Black Caucus. This time, Edwards defeated Wynn in the primary. Wynn then announced he would be leaving Congress before his term's expiration in January 2009, which triggered aspecial election.[21]
Bartlett's district is one of the more Republican seats in heavily Democratic Maryland, and includes several western cities such asFrederick andHagerstown. Bartlett was 82 as of June 3, 2008. While he still managed to receive 58% of the vote in 2006 against little-known Democratic opponentAndrew J. Duck, a stockbroker andU.S. Army veteran, it was nine points lower than his 2004 showing. Although there were early rumors that Bartlett would retire rather than run again, he subsequently filed his candidacy for re-election. Duck, too, ran again in 2008. In a surprise, formerCumberland MayorFrank K. Nethken announced that he would be a candidate for the GOP nomination even if Bartlett sought re-election. WhileAndrew Duck ran for the Democratic nomination, he lost toJennifer Dougherty, the former Mayor ofFrederick.Roscoe Bartlett won the Republican nomination.
The district encompasses parts ofBaltimore City,Baltimore County, andHoward County, and has been represented by DemocratElijah Cummings since 1996. Cummings did not face any opposition in the Democratic primary or general election in his last election, but faced Republican Michael Hargadon and Libertarian Ronald Owens-Bey, whom he easily defeated.
^abcdefgh"2008 House Ratings".House Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. November 2, 2006. Archived fromthe original on November 6, 2008. RetrievedNovember 20, 2023.
^abcdefgh"2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2008. Archived fromthe original on November 6, 2008. RetrievedNovember 20, 2023.
District results
County results
.png)
.JPG)
.jpg)
