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Harris leads in 1st Congressional Dist. fundraising

State Sen. Andy Harris has raised nearly twice as much campaign money during the past two months as his rival for the 1st Congressional District seat, according to campaign officials and Federal Election Commission reports.

Mr. Harris, a Republican, leads Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil Jr., a Democrat, reports show.

Through March 31, Mr. Harris raised more than $400,000, compared to about $190,000 for Mr. Kratovil. The period includes the three weeks leading up to the Feb. 12 primary, and the totals include money raised for the primary election and the November general election.

Overall, the Republican has raised nearly $1.5 million, with $204,000 on hand, figures show.

Mr. Kratovil has raised a total of about $430,000 with $180,000 on hand, his campaign said.

The two are battling to succeed U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Kent, who lost to Mr. Harris in the Republican primary for the seat representing parts of the Eastern Shore as well as part of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties.

Green Party primary

The Maryland Green Party will hold a presidential primary election May 3 at its annual assembly at Towson University in Baltimore. Absentee ballots are available online at mdgreens.org / primary and must be postmarked on or before April 30.

Presidential candidates include Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay and Kat Swift.

For more information about the candidates, visit www.gp.org.

Friday Dems

Martha Smith, president of Anne Arundel Community College, will be the guest speaker at the Almost 7:30 Friday Morning Democratic Breakfast Club meeting tomorrow. The meeting will be at the Eastport Yacht Club, 317 First St. in Annapolis. The group's weekly meeting for April 25 has been canceled.

Greens meet

The Anne Arundel County Green Party will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the back room of the 49 West Coffeehouse, 49 West St. in Annapolis. The group will discuss the Green Party presidential primary and the Maryland Green Party state assembly. Both will be held May 3. The public is invited to attend the meeting Tuesday.

For more information, e-mail Virginia at vfsmith@earthlink.net or visit www.arundelgreens.org.

Wednesday Republicans

A Naval Academy history professor will be the guest speaker at the Wednesday Republican Breakfast Club Wednesday. Dan Masterson, professor of Latin American history and immigration issues, will begin his talk about "Mexican Immigration and NAFTA" at 7:30 a.m. at the Eastport Yacht Club, 317 First St. in Annapolis.

Sarbanes visits

Rep. John P. Sarbanes will be guest speaker at the District 30 Democratic Club monthly meeting Wednesday.

Mr. Sarbanes, D-Baltimore County, will begin his talk at 6:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West St. in Annapolis. Doors open at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.md30dems.org or contact Sarah Flynn at sflynn@md30dems.org or 410-268-2966.

Elephant Club

The head of the county teachers union will be the guest speaker at the Elephant Club meeting April 24.

Tim Mennuti, president of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, will begin his talk at 7:30 a.m. at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 400 Benfield Road in Severna Park.

The public is invited to attend, and there is a $4 fee.

Democratic fundraiser

The annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner to benefit county Democrats will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 24.

The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee is hosting the dinner at Michael's Eighth Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Drive in Glen Burnie.

Tickets cost $50 and include dinner.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Baltimore City, will give a keynote speech.

For tickets or more information, contact Anne Sieling at 443-458-5537 or newsnag@comcast.net.

Casino bus trip

The North County Republican Club is sponsoring a bus trip to a West Virginia casino and race track April 27, and proceeds from the bus tickets will benefit the club.

Tickets for the trip to Charles Town Races and Slots cost $20 and must be purchased in advance.

The bus will leave at 11 a.m. from 8194 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. The return bus leaves Charles Town at 6 p.m. For tickets, contact Larry at 410-768-6577 or moelij@msn.com.

Fashion show

Tickets still are available for the Republican Women of Anne Arundel County fashion show fundraiser April 26.

The group's "Spring Fashion Trunk Show Luncheon" will be held at 11 a.m. at Chartwell Golf and Country Club, 1 Chartwell Drive in Severna Park.

Fashions are by The French Shoppe boutique in Nashville and can be purchased that day.

Tickets cost $40. Proceeds benefit the Arden House, a domestic violence shelter, and will buy books for the No Child Left Behind program.

For tickets or more information, call 410-956-4052 or 410-451-8034.

Staff Writer Erin Cox compiled this from staff and wire reports.