J.B. Jennings

There's a second Republican plumber on the political scene this year.

Jim Berndt -- a member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee -- says he's had the nickname "Jim the Plumber," not to be confused with "Joe the Plumber," for at least four years.

The latter rose in prominence during the second presidential debate after an encounter with Barack Obama on the campaign trail in Ohio. Jim Berndt, meanwhile, is a licensed master plumber who's owned "Jim's Plumbing and Heating" since 1980. He currently employees two technicians and often uses his own time to lobby on behalf of the plumbing trade.

Jim "the Plumber" Berndt says he received a slew of emails after "Joe the Plumber" hit the political scene.

"What the hell's going on with Joe the Plumber?" Berndt paraphrased one email as saying. "You're the only plumber we know."

After six and a half weeks of being cut off from the outside world, Del. J.B. Jennings (R-Harford County) says the national and local political landscape has changed dramatically since he left.

When Jennings returned home on Monday after military basic training for the Maryland Air National Guard, he learned of an economic crisis and an extremely close race in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

"It is like reading a history book of something that took place and realizing you were alive when it happened," Jennings told PolitickerMD.com. He says he was "cut off from the world" during training, and only allowed a single 3-to-5 minute phone call per week, which he usually missed because of the demands.

LUTHERVILLE -- If Republican Andy Harris is defeated in his bid for U.S. Congress, the state Republican Party has a problem, according to Sergio Vitale, a restaurant owner and unofficial state Senate candidate.

Harris, a state Senator from Cockeysville, is currently running against Democrat Frank Kratovil, the Queen Anne's County state Attorney, for Maryland's open 1st District seat. Vitale -- who has his sights on Harris's state Senate seat should he win -- says it's Harris's race to lose.

"If Andy doesn't get elected in that District then I think the party's got a problem," Vitale told PolitickerMD.com at the 42nd District Republican Club's Second Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. Vitale suggests the District was "Parrismandered" to the GOP's advantage. "That's it. That's the last Alamo for the Republican Party."

It's Maryland's Winners and Losers for August 15, 2008. CLICK HERE.

Unofficially, former Del. Al Redmer has announced his plans to seek Maryland's 7th District state Senate seat, if state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) wins his bid for U.S. Congress.

Redmer plans to officially throw his name into the ring at tonight's Baltimore County Republican Central Committee meeting.

Harris is currently running against state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) for Maryland's 1st Congressional District seat. If Harris wins, the 7th District seat would open, and Redmer would have to be approved by the central committees of the respective counties in the district to fill the empty spot.

"I believe that I am best suited to make a positive difference in that district," said Redmer in an interview with PolitickerMD.com.

Del. J.B. Jennings has his eye on Andy Harris' State Senate seatIf there is a special election next year to replace Andy Harris in the State Senate, Del. J.B. Jennings says he’s the guy -- not restaurant owner Sergio Vitale, who said today that he would run if Harris goes to Congress.

“We need somebody who’s not gonna play catch up,” Jennings told PolitickerMD.com. “I welcome him into the race. I wish him the best. I think I’m a much better candidate.”

Restaurant owner Sergio Vitale (R) officially announced his plans to seek Maryland’s 7th District state Senate seat should state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) win his bid for U.S. Congress. The announcement was made at a fundraiser held at Vitale’s home in West Ocean City.

“The campaign for 2010 begins today,” said Vitale in a statement.

Harris is currently running against state’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District seat. If Harris wins, the 7th District seat would open, and Vitale would have to be approved by the central committees of the respective counties in the district to fill the empty spot.

MONKTON - Del. J.B. Jennings (R) says he will be a candidate for State Senate next year, if incumbent Andy Harris wins his race for Congress in November.

Jennings added about $8,000 to his campaign warchest at a fundraiser on Friday -- his 7th annual Polo Match -- which attracted about 65 people.

"A lot of people have never seen polo before. They get to see it," said Jennings in an interview with PolitickerMD.com. "As someone who promotes agriculture and loves agriculture in this state - I'm out here supporting the farmers."

Jim Pelura, the chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, said Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greeinp (R-Crofton), was the "right fit" to become the new executive director of the state party. This morning, Pelura announced that Ready had been selected to replace John Flynn.

"I rely on my first impression," Pelura said of his decision. "All the candidates were well qualified, but Justin is the right one."

"I'm very happy to be asked to serve," Ready told PolitickerMD.com. "I'm excited to continue the process of working with the chairman to make Maryland a two-party state again."

Justin Ready, the chief of staff to state Sen. Janet Greenip (R-Crofton), told PolitickerMD.com that he is one of 14 candidates seeking to become the next executive director of the Maryland Republican Party.

Ready, 26, said that he’s “had a lot of experience in the last five years,” and said he did not think his youth would hurt his chances at securing the position.

Ready has been with Greenip for the past 18 months. Before that, he was the statewide field director on state Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s (R-Stevensville) 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. He also worked for Del. J.B. Jennings (R-District 7) and was a volunteer on Bob Ehrlich’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

Recently, Greenip served as the “state grassroots leader” on Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign.