Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R) frequently gets conservative Republican primary challengers — and he’s likely to get one again in 2008 in the person of state Sen. Andrew Harris (R) — but now a rare Democratic elected official is lining up to run against him as well.

Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil Jr. (D) announced Monday that he’ll seek the 1st district seat. Although he’d be the decided underdog against Gilchrest — or Harris — Kratovil’s candidacy is drawing enough enthusiasm from state Democratic leaders that Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and the state comptroller and attorney general all were expected to join the two-term prosecutor at his announcement along the Chesapeake Bay.

“I am a law and order guy,” Kratovil told The Daily Times in Salisbury. “It isn’t that I have anything bad to say about the incumbent. I just think I can do a better job.”

Kratovil does not have the Democratic nomination locked up, however. Cambridge attorney Christopher Robinson (D), the runner-up in the 2006 Democratic primary, is planning to run again.

— Josh Kurtz