Marylanders approve slots

Harris ahead of Kratovil in early returns

By Tom LoBianco and Emily Kimball | Wednesday, November 5, 2008

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ANNAPOLIS | A deluge of Maryland voters Tuesday approved a state constitutional amendment to legalize slot-machine gambling, but a bitterly fought contest to replace a longtime Republican representative on the Eastern Shore was too close to call.

With 1,241 of 1,829 precincts reporting (68 percent), the slot-machine amendment had received 848,797 yes votes (59 percent) and 591,615 no votes (41 percent).

Meanwhile, with 234 of 277 precincts reporting (84 percent), Frank M. Kratovil Jr., a Democrat, had received 132,890 votes (49 percent) and state Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Republican, had won 130,055 votes (48 percent) in the race to replace Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrist, a Republican.

At a Kratovil rally at Fisherman's Crab Deck in Grasonville, the mood was somber among the 120 people gathered there. Supporters remained optimistic, although a Democratic representative hasn't been elected from Maryland's 1st Congressional District since 1988.

"Three months ago, we were 16 points behind. Now we're neck and neck," said Steve Meehan, a Kratovil campaign official. "No one knows how this night will end."

More than 250 Harris supporters crowded into Harris Crab House and Seafood Restaurant in Grasonville. Conversations were cut short as the crowd cheered or sulked over the volatile results.

Harris campaign volunteer David Marks noted the interest both parties had in trying to securing Mr. Gilchrist's seat.

"When the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spends $2 million on the Democratic candidate in this district, it's going to have an impact," Mr. Marks said. "I still think Andy Harris can win this seat, but he would have won it by a healthier margin without that money."

The conservative Club For Growth paid for $1.3 million in independent aid for Mr. Harris, as well as an additional $250,000 in direct contributions.

Richard Davis, a Libertarian, was also in the race, receiving about 2 percent of the vote.

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