Comptroller's Race

An interesting Sun article about the Comptroller’s race, gives some new perspectives on Ann Arundel Executive Janet Owens:

Among the issues on which she disagrees with the incumbent is his vote this year to support Ehrlich's proposed cut in the state property tax -- a move she dismissed as an election year gimmick that would worsen the state's long-term fiscal picture.

and

She said she would focus narrowly on the issues that concern the comptroller -- matters such as tax collection and procurement -- rather than broad policy issues.

And Owens wouldn’t commit to supporting Del. Peter Franchot in the general if he wins the primary.

A new statewide poll on the comptroller's race showed Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens steadily gaining on incumbent and fellow Democrat William Donald Schaefer, coming within four percentage points.

The survey, conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies from August 18-26, found that 34 percent of the Democratic voters likely to cast ballots in the Sept. 12 primary said they would vote for Schaefer and 30 percent for Owens. Montgomery Del. Peter Franchot, had support from about 15 percent, with the remaining 21 percent undecided.

Franchot pointed out the pollster’s ties to Owens as discrediting the results. In the end, what we’re seeing is that there is clearly support for ousting Schaefer, but that the two challengers are splitting the vote.

In other campaign news, Reps Elijah Cummings and Al Wynn endorsed Kweisi Mfume for Senate. Polls show O’Malley ahead of Ehrlich in the gubernatorial primary, and Cardin in front of Mfume in the Senate primary. Finally, today the Post went out on a limb and endorsed Donna Edwards over Al Wynn in the 4th congressional district. Edwards and Jamie Raskin were on Kojo Nnamdi’s Maryland Politics Hour today talking about the sense of “entitlement” some incumbents seem to feel about their jobs.