Kratovil Faces Uphill Battle; Edwards, A Surprise Test

WASHINGTON — - Stiff challenges for a pair of congressional incumbents and a re-election run by the state's senior senator will headline a competitive 2010 election season for federal lawmakers from Maryland, according to politicians in both parties and independent analysts.

Republicans started gunning for Rep. Frank Kratovil before he took office in 2009 in the district that straddles the Chesapeake Bay, composed of the Eastern Shore and parts of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties. Because the Democrat represents one of the most Republican areas of the state, he easily ranks as the most vulnerable member of the state's delegation in Washington and is one of the most endangered House members in the country.

"Kratovil has done a nice job of trying, on most issues, to vote the district," reflecting its conservative views on legislation in the House, said Stu Rothenberg, who publishes the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report. But "bottom line, the district stinks for him."

Another relatively new House member, Rep. Donna F. Edwards, is unexpectedly gearing up to defend her job against one or more fellow Democrats. Glenn F. Ivey, the state's attorney in Prince George's County, has formed an exploratory committee and is expected to announce in early 2010 that he'll challenge Edwards in the Sept. 14 primary.

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski continues to be slowed by a broken ankle suffered in a fall last summer, but she appears to be cruising to another six-year term. Republicans have not recruited a serious challenger, and the Maryland race is not rated as competitive by the major political parties and independent analysts.

The 73-year-old Democrat from Baltimore, first elected to the Senate in 1986, is the most popular politician in Maryland, according to statewide public opinion surveys.

Former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., thought to be preparing to run for his old job, has left open the possibility of a 2010 Senate campaign.

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