** Updated with MD Democratic Party response

Maryland's House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell made it official: He's definitely taking on U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer in the 2012 election.

"Frankly, I'm sickened by and exhausted from the attitude of so many politicians that our families can and should be the ones to sacrifice," says O'Donnell on an online video declaring his candidacy. "They don't seem to understand how hard it is to make ends meet these days. It is time for the government to make some sacrifices and pay attention to the people."

In the video, he rails against the stimulus plan and associates Hoyer with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, saying that their voting records are nearly identical. (The two Democratic politicians are in fact longtime rivals within the party.) 

Continue reading "O'Donnell to take on Hoyer" »

Posted by Annie Linskey at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: 2012
        

Texas Gov. Rick Perry edged former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination in a straw poll held at the Maryland State Fair, the state GOP announced Friday.

Perry, who also leads national polls among Republicans, scored 25.8 percent of the nearly 900 votes cast, according to the state party. Romney picked up 21.2 percent.

Republican former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the party's 2008 vice presidential nominee, came in fifth, despite not having indicated a campaign for 2012. That put her ahead of Georgia businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, all of whom have declared their candidacies.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas came in third with 16.8 percent of the votes. Rep. Michele Bachman of Minnesota finished fourth with 12.5 percent.

"From the attendees, we heard a strong desire to turn our nation and state around and a commitment to make Maryland a two-party state," state GOP Chairman Alex Mooney said. "The Maryland Republican Party is committed to giving individuals, families, and businesses a stronger voice in Annapolis and Washington, D.C."

The complete results, as released by the state party, after the jump.

Continue reading "Perry edges Romney in Md. GOP poll; Palin fifth" »

Posted by Matthew Hay Brown at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (208)
        

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, is set to make a stop in Baltimore later this month to raise money for his presidential bid, an event that would be his first in Maryland since announcing his national intentions last month.

Organizing the fundraiser is Republican money man Dick Hug, a veteran from Gov. Robert Ehrlich's tenure. He also raised money for President George W. Bush.

Hug said that he flew down to Texas about three weeks ago with other fundraisers and spent time with the Perry team. "When you see him and meet with him you'll be very impressed," Hug said. "He's going to be our next president."

The Perry fundraiser is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Tuesday Sept. 27 at The Center Club in downtown Baltimore. Tickets are $2,500 and include a photo-op with the presidential hopeful, according to a list compiled by Annapolis lobbyist Bruce Bereano.

Blue Maryland isn't often where GOP presidential candidates spend time looking for votes, though as my colleague John Fritze noted in a story earlier this summer, the state is great place to scoop up cash.

In June potential contenders and big shots stopping by the state for fundraisers included: Pizza magnate Herman Cain, tea party star Sarah Palin and the top GOP budget maker in Congress Rep. Paul Ryan.

Also former House Speaker Newt Gingrich headlined an event for the Maryland Republican Party over the summer. And last year former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke at the state GOP party dinner.
 

Posted by Annie Linskey at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: 2012