Thomas V. Mike Miller

Comptroller Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park) feels anyone should be allowed to purchase the Laurel racetrack, even if they don't support November's slots referendum.

"I am writing to ask that you release Dennis Mills, CEO of Magna International Development, from the commitment you apparently extracted from him to put slots at Laurel racetrack," Franchot wrote in an email to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) on Friday and CC'd to state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach).

Voters will decide in November if the state constitution should be amended to allow up to 15,000 slot machine installations at five different locations across the state. Magna currently owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, but is experiencing financial problems, according to WBAL-TV. Halsey Minor, a co-founder of CNET, says he wants to buy the race tracks from Magna, but is a staunch opponent of November's slots referendum along with Franchot. 

"I do not want slots. I will not take slots," Minor said at a press conference with Franchot earlier this week.

To view more cartoons by Politicker.com editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe, click here. 

Comptroller Peter Franchot is stumbling through his second year in statewide office, according to state Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller.

"Your bad habits have diminished your standing and reduced your effectiveness as Comptroller," wrote Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) in a letter to Franchot (D-Takoma Park) on Thursday.

Miller's comments were in response to a note sent by Franchot earlier this week.

Ron Miller (R-Huntingtown), who challenged Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) in the 27th Legislative District in 2006, told PolitickerMD.com Monday that he has not decided if he will seek a rematch in 2010, one-week after the nine-term incumbent Democrat announced his plans to seek re-election.  

"There are many factors that will determine whether or not I will run for office again in 2010, but Senator Miller's decision to seek a tenth term is not one of them," Ron Miller said.

The Republican, who lost to the Senate president by 41 points two years ago, serves as managing director for the Ambit Group, LLC, a technology and management consulting firm located in Reston, Virginia.

Senate Majority Whip Lisa Gladden (D-Baltimore) told PolitickerMD.com Thursday that she "suspected" Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) "would seek re-election for quite a while"

"I think it was a long time coming," Gladden said of Miller's Wednesday announcement that he would run in 2010.

Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Bethesda) told PolitickerMD.com today that he is "still planning to succeed" Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) as president of the Maryland State Senate, one-day after Miller announced that he would seek re-election in 2010.

"He's a good guy and I think he helps the Democrats," Frosh said. "I'm supporting him for re-election."

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) described embattled Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District Heights) as "a very dear friend" during his press conference in Annapolis yesterday, saying Currie is an example of "history living."

Discussing the FBI raid on Currie's home last week, Miller said, "As I hear more-I think this is lessening."

ANNAPOLIS-- Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach), the longest serving president in the state's history, announced that he will seek re-election in 2010 during a press conference in Annapolis, this afternoon.

Fighting back tears, the Senate president said, "I am indicating today that if the people have me I will run for state legislator in the 27th District."

ANNAPOLIS--Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) and his wife Kendel had their official portraits unveiled tonight at a ceremony before an estimated crowd of more than 600 people at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and First Lady Katie O'Malley were also in attendance, as was Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach).

The event, largely non-political and cordial, encompassed many former Ehrlich advisers and Republican lawmakers. Supporters of the former governor cheered with glee as he spoke during the 45-minute ceremony. One spectator, perhaps thinking about 2010, shouted "four more years," as Ehrlich spoke.

After coming to terms with the idea that state Senate President Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach) would be in power well into the next decade, this past week's press swarm over influence-peddling his son's judicial nomination has raised the eyebrows of ambitious Democratic lawmakers.