Schaefer may be in trouble this election year

The day after Doug Duncan quit the race for governor, giving Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley a clear shot at the Democratic nomination, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer issued a statement backing his party’s nominee in November.

To many political insiders, the quick assurance of support last month for a man Mr. Schaefer openly dislikes was a sign that he is seeking to shore up support within the party because of concern about the primary challenge he faces in September from Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens and Del. Peter Franchot of Montgomery County.

Mr. Schaefer is used to winning races by margins of...