Group backs Kratovil's run
The Baltimore Sun; June 19, 2008

Emboldened by recent victories in districts across the country that had long been safe bets for Republicans, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced yesterday that it would throw its financial and staffing resources behind Maryland candidate Frank Kratovil Jr.

By qualifying for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" program, Kratovil will be introduced to party supporters nationally.

Democrats contend that Kratovil has a chance in the district...because he is a centrist who could attract the votes of moderate Republicans and independents who voted for Gilchrest.

[Sun Article] [DCCC Announcement] [PolitickerMD Article]

Kratovil makes campaign rounds
The Daily Times; June 17, 2008

Frank Kratovil...made the rounds visiting with Ocean City environmental groups Monday to meet their leaders, and learn about their goals and agendas.

"He's already receptive, obviously, very interested in the environment and conservation work," [Dave Wilson, Executive Director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program] said. "He's supporting of things we've done, and showed a sincere interest in what's going on, which is good. I look forward to working with him..."

"Usually you're preaching to the choir," [Sheldon Dawson of the Surfrider Foundation] said. "To have a candidate come see me and have a general conversation about what we're doing is great."

"Sitting here, looking at the ocean,"' [Kratovil] said, standing on the Boardwalk at Dorchester Street, "to say protecting the environment is good for the economy of this district is putting it mildly. It doesn't matter how big the beach is, if the water isn't clean, people are going to stop coming."

[Article]

Kratovil hopeful as GOP tries to paint him as liberal
Baltimore Examiner; June 10, 2008

A May poll for Kratovil found him ahead of Harris 45 percent to 38 percent. But Harris...is far better known than Kratovil--58 percent name recognition to the Democrat's 25 percent--after a bruising primary in which Harris unseated incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.

Harris spent almost $1.3 million in a three-way primary in which Kratovil spent only $253,000, none of it on TV. "Once Mr. Kratovil gets on television as well and increases his name recognition and profile, his support should increase," said pollster Frank Yang of the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group.

But the GOP continues to paint Kratovil...as the liberal in the race, based on fundraiseing support from gun control advocates and congressional Democrats. "If anybody thinks that by giving Frank money that he's going to be beholden to their interests, they will be disappointed," Kratovil spokesman erik Gulbrandsen said. Kratovil's position is that "there are plenty of gun laws on the book, and they need to be enforced," he said.

[Article]

Saturday, June 21
Delmarva Chicken Festival
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Salisbury Center on N. Salisbury Blvd. in Salisbury.

Saturday, June 28
Tilghman Island Seafood Festival
All day at Kronsberg Park on Tilghman Island. 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Firemen's Parade.

Thursday, July 3
Northeast Salute to Vets
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Waterfront Park in Northeast.

Friday, July 4
Severna Park Parade
10:00 - 1:00 p.m. Starts at St. Martin's-in-the-Field on Benfield Road and Our Shepherd Lutheran churches and ends at the festival at Cypress Creek Park. Details.

Friday, July 4
Bel Air Parade
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Starts at Gordon and Bond Streets.

Friday, July 4 - Sunday, July 6
Cambridge Festival

Saturday, July 12
Perry Hall Town Fair
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Ebenezer Road in Perry Hall.

Wednesday, July 16
Tawes Annual Crab Feast
1:00 -4:30 p.m. at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield.

Kratovil, Harris disagree on offshore drilling
PolitickerMD; June 18, 2008

Appearing as a guest on the Delmarva Today radio show June 13, State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), a Democrat running in the 1st Congressional District, expressed his opposition to lifting a federal ban on offshore oil drilling, calling instead for the country to use "what we have now." State Sen. andy Harris (R-Cockeysville, Kratovil's opponent, supports offshore drilling.

Yesterday, state Republicans assailed Kratovil for his opposition to both domestic drilling and a gas tax holiday. In another issue that has reached the presidential campaign, Kratovil said during his radio interview that he agreed with Obama's position on the issue, calling the gas tax holiday a "short-term answer" and a "ploy to play to people's concerns."

Kratovil, for his part, has clled for the expansion of alternative energy methods like hybrid vehicles and public transportation, while also saying fuel efficiency standards needed to be raised.

[Article] [Radio Broadcast]

Kratovil says the economy is the No. 1 issue on the trail
PolitickerMD; May 30, 2008

While residents may be weary and express skepticism on a variety of issues, Kratovil told PolitickerMD.com today that the sluggish economy carries the most weight on the minds of the voters he has talked to. "People are very concerned," Kratovil said. "They see soaring gas prices and health care costs and are afraid they won't be able to afford to pay for their children's education." "Families are really concerned that for the first time their children will not have the same opportunities that they did," Kratovil said. Expect the economic debate to continue as the summer heats up and gas prices rise.

[Article]

Party Line (D): Kratovil can fill the bill
The Jeffersonian by James Kehl; May 27, 2008

Voters residing in areas of Baltimore County that are within the 1st Congressional District will have an opportunity to vote for Frank Kratovil for Congress. Kratovil believes in problem solving through a pragmatic approach that does not focus on party affiliation. He has the support of many prominent Republicans due to his ability to work with elected Republican officials to make Queen Anne's County safer.

I think he believes that government should be utilized to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. However, I believe he also realizes that government cannot be expected to solve every problem and that government's involvement must be limited to the areas in which it can optimally function.

Citizens of the 1st District should be represented by a pragmatic problem solver who wants to move the 1st District forward and who is conservative enough to realize that government's role must be limited to the areas in which it can effectively function. Frank Kratovil is that person.

Kratovil Campaign Interns

Six interns have joined the Kratovil Campaign in recent weeks and are busy helping the campaign staff with a myriad of duties. The most visible intern is Joseph Steuert who drives Frank to many events and then works as his personal assistant during the event. Zach Fang and Vikki Garcia work primarily in the campaign office in Stevensville. Brian Kemmet, Alexandra Lopez, and Nick Mongelluzzo are field interns.

Zach Fang joins the Kratovil campaign full-time after a year working as a part-time volunteer youth outreach coordinator and Harford county coordinator. He is a recent graduate of Gilman School in Baltimore and plans on attending American University in the fall to study political science. In addition to Frank Kratovil for Congress, he has previously worked on Martin O’Malley’s gubernatorial campaign, John Edwards for President, and did GOTV for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire.

Brian Kemmet is a senior at Salisbury University majoring in Political Science.  A member of Pi Sigma Alpha honors society, Brian is active in the Maryland Student Legislature, serving as the political liaison for MSL's Governor.  When Brian is not studying he can be found working as a part-time police dispatcher with the Salisbury University police department.  Brian is a former Vice President of the Salisbury University College Democrats and hopes to land a job in politics after graduation from Salisbury.

Alexandra Lopez majors in Communication/Writing at Prince George's Community College in Largo where she anticipates receiving her Associate's degree in May 2009 when she plans to transfer to the University of Maryland to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. Alexandra believes her internship with the Kratovil for Congress Campaign will not only greatly benefit her professionally, academically, and socially, but will be a vital component of her educational experience.

Nicholas Mongelluzzo is a sophomore at the University of Maryland majoring in Government and Politics. He has lived in Bowie his entire life, attending DeMatha Catholic High School. Nicholas is heavily involved in the Student Government Association and the College Democrats group at UMD, as well as other groups on campus, including the Student Health Advisory Committee and the Primannum Honors Society. He is also a brother in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Nicholas has a deep interest in the political system and hopes to contribute to change by working to elect Frank Kratovil to Congress.

Vikki Garcia and Joseph Steuert will appear in the next issue of Campaign Notes.

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