Election night parties: O'Malley, Ehrlich, Frank Kratovil, Andy Harris, and more
In about a a half hour, Maryland polls will close, leaving politicians up for election with nothing to do but pray and drink.
Regardless of political affiliation, most will wait out the results in election-night watching parties, or, as the more confident among them call them, "victory parties." This year, there's even a ballot initiative that gets its own shindig. Others, will be in their PJs watching CNN.
Governor Martin O'Malley, who leads in most polls, will have his party at the American Visionary Art Museum. Doors open at 8 p.m. and will be open to the public. Parking is limited.
No word yet on if O'Malley's March (right) will perform, though, it's likely supporters would rather hear Bob Ehrlich do his own take of "Let the Eagle Soar."
Senator Barbara Mikulski, who is cruising towards re-election, will forgo her own hoedown to go to the AVM, as will Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Bob Ehrlich got cocky with his party, already calling it a "victory party" despite lagging in the polls. He will be at Exhibition Hall at the Timonium Fairgrounds starting at 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, former Tea Party gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy will be watching the election from his couch in Montgomery County. He did wish Ehrlich good luck, though. GOP Senate candidate Eric Wargotz has no events listed on his campaign website.
Update 2: Maryland Politics has reports from O'Malley's and Ehrlich's parties; The Sun also has video from the former's party, and the Cordish Cos.' Arundel slots party.
In the congressional race, polls show Frank Kratovil and Andy Harris in a tight contest. The former spent the morning eating burgers and visiting poll stations in Annapolis and Phoenix. He will have an election-night party for "supporters and media" at the Crab Deck Restaurant in Grasonville starting at 8 p.m.
Just half a mile away, his opponent Andy Harris will have his "victory party" at Harris Crab House at the same time. The campaign website asked supporters to RSVP.
On the county side, Kevin Kamenetz will hold his election party at the Hilton Pikesville starting soon after polls close. His opponent, Kevin Holt, doesn't list a schedule on his campaign website.
On this wacky election season, even ballot initiatives get their own parties. Both Cordish Cos. and opponents of slots at Arundel Mills Mall are celebrating. Cordish, up until an hour ago, kept the location of its party a secret. Update 1: The Cordish party started at 9 p.m. at Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall.
But the "No Slots at the Mall" coalition will gather at the Dorchester Community Center in Hanover to watch election results.
If you go to any of these parties tonight, report back in the comments.
Photo: O'Malley's March website
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
The only party I will be having is a one-man private party celebrating the end of yet another negative, divisive election season and the beginning of the recount and complaint season.
Posted by: Jerry | November 2, 2010 8:04 PM
MOM looks almost as cool as Maza! SHowin' off those 'ceps!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 3, 2010 8:31 AM
Hey Maza, your boy Gucci Mane got Arrested and Pepper Sprayed. Why dont you devot an entire post to that!
Posted by: Jack BlackWhite | November 3, 2010 8:38 AM
The reason I used to read this blog is to find the more subtle happenings around town.
For example, the Election Night Extravaganza with the Baltimore Improve Group and Kal (cartoonist from the Economist) at the Creative Alliance last night.
I already get the information from this post in the Baltimore Sun and countless other news organizations.
In my mind, you should be signing up for every newsletter in Baltimore City that way I can come here and see a great summary of what is going on without personally signing up for all of those emails... oh well...
Posted by: dc | November 3, 2010 9:01 AM
I was at the O'Malley / Mikulski party at AVAM. Good times, great food, free drinks and good vibes.
Vibes were later crushed when the house went red, but at least we partied.
Elijah Cummings, SRB, Ben Cardin among others were in attendence
Posted by: kd | November 3, 2010 10:07 AM
I worked out next to O'Malley once. He was checking his Blackberry between bicep curls. Our governor is cut like a champ.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | November 3, 2010 10:44 AM
I blacked out next to O'Malley once. He was checking his iPhone between bicep girls. Our govna is cut like a chump.
Posted by: Ram Ressa | November 3, 2010 11:01 AM
I was at a urinal next to O'Malley once. I broke man law and had a convo with him
Posted by: Tif | November 3, 2010 11:05 AM
Tif, thank god you ended your post the way you did... I was afraid "I broke man law and..." was going to end slightly differently.
Posted by: FHT | November 3, 2010 11:18 AM
LOL no eye contact was maitained throughout!
Posted by: Tif | November 3, 2010 12:03 PM