United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland, 2008
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This article or section contains information about an upcoming or ongoing election in the United States. Content may change as the election approaches. |
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The 2008 congressional elections in Maryland will be held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives. The primary election will take place on February 12 2007
Maryland has eight seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
Predictions
In the following predictions, CQ defines "Favored" as meaning that the races are not currently competitive but could conceivably become so under the right circumstances. "Leans" means the race is competitive but the indicated party has a distinct advantage. Other analysts use similar terms and definitions, but it cannot be assumed that their criteria are the same even if shown in the table with the same color. Hotline rankings do not use similar levels at all, and so no color can be assigned. Instead Hotline lists the most vulnerable races such that the #1 race is the seat most likely to flip.
Initial analysis by the sources below indicates there is a low possibility of any seat in Maryland switching parties.
| Dist. | Incumbent | CQ[1] | Rothenberg[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ruppersberger | Safe D | Safe D |
| 3 | Sarbanes | Safe D | Safe D |
| 4 | Wynn | Safe D | Safe D |
| 5 | Hoyer | Safe D | Safe D |
| 7 | Cummings | Safe D | Safe D |
| 8 | Van Hollen | Safe D | Safe D |
| 1 | Gilchrest | Safe R | Safe R |
| 6 | Bartlett | Safe R | Safe R |
District breakdown
First district
Maryland's 1st congressional district encompasses the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties, and has been represented by Republican Wayne Gilchrest since 1991.
Gilchrest may face a tough primary as a result of his vote for the bill to set a timetable on the Iraq War. Only 2 Republicans voted for the bill, which passed 218-to-212. The race may become competitive if Gilchrest is defeated in the primary. Gilchrest is a moderate Republican who may run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, and also voted on April 25, 2007 for another Democratic Iraq War bill which passed 218-208. State Senator Andrew P. Harris is challenging him in the GOP primary and has been endorsed by the Club for Growth [3] former Governor Bob Ehrlich, [4] seven of eight state senators who represent parts of the district, and House Minority leader Anthony J. O'Donnell. [5]. Among Democrats, Queen Anne's County State Attorney Frank Kratovil has announced he will run, he has been endorsed by Governor Martin O'Malley, and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. George W. Bush won with 62% here in 2004.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- Steve Harper of Arnold
- Frank Kratovil of Stevensville
- Republican
- Joe Arminio of Arnold
- Wayne Gilchrest (Incumbent)
- Andy Harris of Cockeysville
- John Leo Walter of Centreville
Second district
Maryland's 2nd congressional district comprises parts of Harford, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as small portions of the City of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger since 2003. Prior to serving in Congress, Ruppersberger was Baltimore County Executive from 1994-2002. Ruppersberger serves on the House Intelligence Committee and the Democratic Steering Committee. Ruppersberger currently has no announced challengers.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- No registered candidates
- Republican
- No registered candidates
Third district
Maryland's 3rd congressional district comprises portions of Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the independent city of Baltimore, and has been represented by Democrat John Sarbanes since 2007. Sarbanes, son of former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes, won the 2006 Democratic primary in a crowded eight-person race. Sarbanes currently has no announced challengers.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- No registered candidates
- Republican
- No registered candidates
Fourth district
Maryland's 4th congressional district comprises portions of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, and has been represented by Democrat Al Wynn since 1993.
Coming off a close primary against political upstart Donna Edwards in 2006, Wynn may again face a competitive primary in 2008, although there will be little competition in the general election as the district is overwhelmingly Democratic. Edwards recently announced her intention to run again in 2008. In a reprise of her 2006 campaign themes, Edwards has criticized Wynn, arguing that he is too conservative and too closely allied with Republicans. Since his scare in the 2006 election, Wynn has made an effort to appear more strongly in favor of progressive causes.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- Donna Edwards of Fort Washington
- George E. McDermott of Forest Heights
- George E. Mitchell of Temple Hills
- Albert Wynn (Incumbent)
- Republican
- No registered candidates
Fifth district
Maryland's 5th congressional district comprises all of Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties, as well as portions of Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. The seat has been represented by Democrat and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer since 1981. Democratic candidate James P. Cusick, Sr. has announced to run against Hoyer in the primary, and Republican Jesse James Dann Sr. has filed to challenge him in the general election.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- James Patrick Cusick, Sr. of Lexington Park
- Republican
- Jesse James Dann of Dunkirk
Sixth district
Maryland's 6th congressional district comprises all of Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties, as well as portions of Montgomery, Baltimore, and Harford Counties, and has been represented by Republican Roscoe Bartlett since 1993.
Bartlett's district is one of the more Republican seats in heavily Democratic Maryland, and includes several western cities such as Frederick and Hagerstown. Bartlett will be 82 in 2008, and received 58% in 2006, nine points smaller than his 2004 showing, against little-known opponent Andrew Duck. Duck may run again in 2008. Although there were early rumors that Bartlett would retire rather than run again, he has since filed his candidacy for re-election. In 2006, Bartlett defeated Democrat Andrew Duck, a stockbroker and U.S. Army veteran; Duck has hinted at running again. In a surprise, former Cumberland Mayor Frank K. Nethken announced that he would be a candidate for the GOP nomination even if Bartlett sought reelection.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- Robin Deibert of Fairplay
- Andrew Duck of Brunswick
- Larry John Smith of Cumberland
- Republican
- Roscoe Bartlett (Incumbent) of Frederick
- Tom Croft of Middletown
- Joseph T. Krysztoforski of Hunt Valley
- Frank K. Nethken of Cumberland
Seventh district
Maryland's 7th congressional district encompasses parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County, and has been represented by Democrat Elijah Cummings since 1996. Cummings did not face any opposition in the Democratic primary or general election in 2006. Cummings currently has no announced challengers.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- No registered candidates
- Republican
- Ray Bly of Jessup
Eighth district
Maryland's 8th congressional district mostly consists of the larger part of Montgomery County, but also includes a small portion of Prince George's County, and has been represented by Democrat Chris Van Hollen since 2003. Van Hollen has achieved national prominence as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Van Hollen currently has no announced challengers.
The following candidates have registered with the Maryland Board of Elections.[6]
- Democrat
- No registered candidates
- Republican
- No registered candidates
References
- ^ CQPolitics Analysis: House Democrats Carry Momentum into 2008 Campaign. Congressional Quarterly.
- ^ 2008 House Ratings. Rothenberg Political Report (2007-09-08).
- ^ Club for Growth Endorses Andy Harris Andy Harris For Congress Press Release. August 13, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2007
- ^ Ehrlich supports Harris for seat ASSOCIATED PRESS October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2007
- ^ Eleven Republican Incumbents Have to Watch Their Backs in House Primaries By CQ Staff. October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19,2007
- ^ a b c d e f g h 2008 Presidential Election Candidates - Maryland Board of Elections
External links
| Preceded by 2006 elections |
United States House elections in Maryland 2008 |
Succeeded by 2010 elections |
| 2008 United States general elections | |
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| See also: United States presidential election, 2008 | |
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