Prince George's County

Voters' exiting the polls across Maryland's 4th Congressional District yesterday cited their desire for change as the most important factor in their decision to support U.S. Rep.-elect Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) in both her successful primary and general election campaigns.

"She brings a freshness and new blood," Phyllis Widemon of Upper Marlboro told PolitickerMD.com after casting her ballot for Edwards.

Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), responding to our interview with Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville), said the notion that he is liberal is "ridiculous when you consider my background."

"When you talk to people in Annapolis and around the state-they do not consider me a liberal," Kratovil said.

Speaking with PolitickerMD.com earlier today, Harris referred to Kratovil as a "Prince George's machine Democrat," referencing his opponent's younger days in the heavily Democratic county.

"Everyone is considered a liberal to Harris," Kratovil said, calling the state senator "an extremist."

"What I talk about are facts," Kratovil said. "I've been a prosecutor since 1995. My job, my entire professional career, has been putting people in jail and locking them up."

Andrea Fletcher Harrison (D-Springdale) cruised to victory in Tuesday's special election to fill the District 5 vacancy on the Prince George's County Council. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Harrison received more than 87 percent of the vote over Republican Steven Johnson, a businessman from Cheverly. The victory was expected in the heavily Democratic district.

Harrison has served the past five years as the deputy chief of staff for the District 5 council office, where she worked as the policy director for Councilman David Harrington (D-Cheverly). Harrington replaced the deceased Sen. Gwendolyn Britt in the General Assembly, leading to the council opening.