1st district attracts national interest

COLLEGE PARK - Maryland Democrats have made the open congressional seat in the traditionally Republican 1st District the "No. 1 priority for the party" this fall, and interest in the race has driven fundraising near $5 million.

State and national democrats predict a good year for the party overall and they said they are counting on that to help Democratic nominee Frank Kratovil beat Republican Andy Harris.

Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director Quincey Gamble said the 1st District race goes hand-in-hand with the effort to elect Barack Obama as president. He said Mr. Kratovil, the state's attorney for Queen...