Campaigns react to Kratovil’s addition to DCCC Red to Blue program

The campaigns of State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) and state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) reacted today to Wednesday's news that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has added Kratovil to their Red to Blue program.

"I think it is an indicator that the Kratovil campaign is doing the right things and national Democrats believe Frank can win," Erik Gulbrandsen, communications director for the Kratovil campaign, told PolitickerMD.com.

Kratovil was among 14 candidates added to the program yesterday. The DCCC provides financial, strategic, and communications support to those candidates on the list with the hope of putting Republican seats in the Democratic column.

The Wednesday announcement was the third-round of additions. There are now 37 candidates on the list.

"It does not mean that Democrats think this is a credible race," Harris Campaign Manager Chris Meekins said during an interview with PolitickerMD.com.

Meekins dismissed the significance of the announcement, calling it a "return of a favor," citing Kratovil's longtime friendship with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville).

"It took them till the end of June," Meekins added. "If they thought this was a serious race they would have jumped in right after the (February) primary."

"The candidates for change being named to the DCCC Red to Blue program are running strong campaigns and are committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts," U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington), chairman of the DCCC, said in a statement. "With less than five months to make their case for change to voters in their districts, the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November."

"I am honored that Chairman Van Hollen has confidence in my campaign," Kratovil said in a statement. "Being listed among the Red to Blue campaigns' means we have shown that we connect with the voters in Maryland's first district and have the support and momentum needed to win."

Gulbrandsen said the campaign was "glad to be on the list one way or the other," saying it had nothing to do with Kratovil's relationship with Hoyer.

"They did it because they think the race is competitive," Gulbrandsen said.

In 2006, the DCCC raised roughly $22.6 million for 56 campaigns through the Red to Blue program--an average of $404,000 per campaign.

Despite the financial boost that Kratovil will receive, Meekins did not seem concerned.

"In previous election's Andy's been outspent and he's still won," Meekins said. "This election will be about the issues."

The candidates are in the closing days of the second financial quarter, which ends at the conclusion of the month.

In the first quarter, Harris outraised Kratovil by a 2-to-1 margin, but was forced to spend significantly more on his primary campaign, which left the candidates nearly even in cash on hand.

Gulbrandsen said the campaign hoped the assistance by the DCCC would "put us over the top."

"They don't call it the red to purple program," Meekins said, reiterating a statement made yesterday. "Those candidates are going to be lap dogs for the liberal Democrats in Washington."

Responding, Gulbrandsen said, "If anybody thinks that by giving Frank some money he'll be beholden to their interests-they'll be disappointed."

Calling Kratovil an "independent leader," Gulbrandsen said, "He makes decisions based on right and wrong and not on partisan politics."