Republicans duel for chance to face Kratovil

Republican State Sen. Andy Harris is vying for a rematch after barely losing to Kratovil two years ago and feels the momentum is on his side with a disgruntled electorate.

A new - and wealthy - face has popped up in Rob Fisher, however, as the Eastern Shore Republican who runs a cybersecurity firm sinks substantial amounts of his own money into advertising.

The debate between the two has been typical during a year when government experience and incumbency could be more of a weakness than a strength. Kratovil, a Democrat unopposed in his primary, has tried to take moderate stances as the first member of his party to represent the area since 1991.

The 1st District includes the Eastern Shore and portions of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties.

General Election wild cards also await with Jack Wilson, anindependent from Arnold and Richard James Davis, a Hurlock Libertarian who received almost 9,000 votes in 2008.

Harris believes this time will be different for him as the country sours on the Democrats who hold power in Washington. The anesthesiologist believes federal policies such as the stimulus funds, health care reform and cap and trade are evidence of the "dismantling of the American Dream."

"It's been systematic, it's been methodical, it's been planned," he said. "We've got to take the country back."

Harris' policy prescriptions are not surprising considering his stance as one of the most conservative members of the Maryland General Assembly.

He favors cutting regulations and taxes, medical malpractice reform, further domestic oil exploration and preventing gay marriage.

Not surprisingly in a primary, Fisher's stances are basically identical to Harris' positions on reduced spending and other conservative hot buttons like gun rights.

So far, his ads are trying to emphasize both his business background and family ties to the Eastern Shore.

"The doctors and the lawyers have had their chance," he said. "We need to change the type of people we send to Washington."

Fisher has had some trouble with his past in the race, such as denying allegations of drug and spousal abuse stemming from a divorce in 1991, but he believes Harris' defeat in 2008 is proof that the doctor cannot pull off a victory in November.

"The fact that Frank Kratovil is in that seat is indicative of Andy Harris' candidacy," he said. "That should have never happened."

Campaign finance reports also show Fisher has spent hundreds of thousands of his own dollars in pursuit of the seat, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Still, he had just $239,000 cash on hand in the last reports filed in June, compared to $897,000 for Harris and $1.3 million for Kratovil.

Some observers are skeptical Fisher can overcome the name recognition Harris gained in the 2008 Republican primary by defeating former U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.

"It is a lot of money for a primary race that I think he would be, at best, an outside shot at," said Michael Cain, the director of the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland. "I just don't see how someone else can beat Andy Harris this time on the Republican side."

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Tomorrow: The 3rd Congressional District.

Capital News Service contributed to this story.

lfarrell@capitalgazette.com