Maryland House
Filing Deadline: Dec. 3, 2007 • Primary Date: Feb. 12, 2008 • General Election: Nov. 4, 2008District Profile: Although it is hard to avoid thinking of it as the Eastern Shore district, nearly half the votes are cast on the west side of the Bay. Full Profile
2006 results: Wayne Gilchrest (R) defeated Jim Corwin (D) by 69-31%.
Republican
Andy Harris (R)Harris, a state senator, was nominated with 44% in a three-way primary.
Democrat
Frank Kratovil (D)Kratovil, an attorney, was nominated with 40% in a four-way primary.
District Profile: The 2nd District is an irregularly shaped hodgepodge that includes much of the area north of Baltimore. Redistricting helped raise its black percentage from 8 percent to 27 percent. Full Profile
2006 results: Dutch Ruppersberger (D) defeated Jimmy Mathis (R) by 69-31%.
Incumbent
Dutch Ruppersberger (D)Elected in 2002; Seeking fourth term; Ruppersberger was unopposed in the primary.
Challenger
Richard Matthews (R)Matthews, a computer engineer, was unopposed in the primary.
District Profile: The 3d District consists of three oddly disjointed portions that extend from the locus of Baltimore's Inner Harbor area. Full Profile
2006 results: John Sarbanes (D) defeated John White (R) by 64-34%.
Incumbent
John Sarbanes (D)Elected in 2006; Seeking second term; Sarbanes was nominated with 89% in a two-way primary.
Challenger
Thomas Harris (R)Harris, an insurance broker, was nominated with 39% in a four-way primary.
District Profile: The biggest industry here is still government: It has the highest percentage of federal government employees of any congressional district in the nation. Full Profile
2006 results: Albert Wynn (D) defeated Michael Starkman (R) by 81-19%.
2008 special election: Wynn resigned on May 30, 2008, to work in the private sector after his primary loss to attorney Donna Edwards. A special election was held on June 17, 2008, with Edwards winning with 81% of the vote. See the special election tip sheet.
Incumbent
Donna Edwards (D)Elected in 2008; Seeking first full term; Edwards was nominated with 60% in a two-way primary.
Challenger
Peter James (R)James, a computer consultant, was nominated with 39% in a four-way primary.
District Profile: Historically, this is a Democratic area, but newcomers in fast-growing areas seem to be leaning Republican. Full Profile
2006 results: Steny Hoyer (D) defeated Steve Warner (G) by 83-16%.
Incumbent
Steny Hoyer (D)Elected in May 1981; Seeking 14th full term; Hoyer was nominated with 83% in a two-way primary.
Challenger
Collins Bailey (R)Bailey, a businessman, was nominated with 44% in a three-way primary.
District Profile: The new rush of settlement is mostly made up of young families seeking respite from metropolitan life, strengthening the area's already conservative leanings. Full Profile
2006 results: Roscoe Bartlett (R) defeated Andrew Duck (D) by 59-38%.
Incumbent
Roscoe Bartlett (R)Elected in 1992; Seeking ninth term; Bartlett was nominated with 78% in a four-way primary.
Challenger
Jennifer Dougherty (D)Dougherty, former Frederick mayor, was nominated with 44% in a four-way primary.
District Profile: The 7th includes most of Baltimore's black neighborhoods, reaches into the heavily black suburbs running west from the city and also encompasses most of Howard County. Full Profile
2006 results: Elijah Cummings (D) was unopposed.
Incumbent
Elijah Cummings (D)Elected in April 1996; Seeking seventh full term; Cummings was nominated with 93% in a two-way primary.
Challenger
Mike Hargadon (R)Hargadon, a retired dentist, was nominated with 73% in a two-way primary.
District Profile: Democratic redistricters in 2002 put much of 8th's old eastern part of the county in the 4th. They also added a slice of heavily Democratic territory in Prince George's County. Full Profile
2006 results: Chris Van Hollen (D) defeated Jeffrey Stein (R) by 77-22%.
Incumbent
Chris Van Hollen (D)Elected in 2002; Seeking fourth term; Van Hollen was nominated with 88% in a two-way primary.
Challenger
Steve Hudson (R)Hudson, a surgeon, was nominated with 38% in a five-way primary.
Please send comments or corrections to AlmanacEditorial@nationaljournal.com.
Race Rankings
Based on likelihood of seat switching party control
1.
N.Y.-13
(Open-R)2.
N.Y.-25
(Open-R)3.
Ariz.-01
(Open-R)4.
Va.-11
(Open-R)5.
N.J.-03
(Open-R)6.
Texas-22
(Lampson-D)7.
Ill.-11
(Open-R)8.
La.-06
(Cazayoux-D)9.
Ohio-16
(Open-R)10.
N.J.-07
(Open-R)11.
N.M.-01
(Open-R)12.
Minn.-03
(Open-R)13.
Colo.-04
(Musgrave-R)14.
Ohio-15
(Open-R)15.
Alaska-AL
(Young-R)Previous Coverage
Check out National Journal's coverage of previous Maryland house races.
