State Republicans are working hard to ensure that Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D) isn’t successful in his attempt to paint himself as the ideological heir to the moderate legacy of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R).

Gilchrest was defeated in his re-election bid in February by state Sen. Andy Harris (R) and Democrats have been attempting to exploit the wounds of that bitter primary battle. On Monday, the Maryland Republican Party sent out a news release this week naming several “far-left liberal allies” who have contributed to or held events for Kratovil’s campaign.

Included are Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) and, most recently, Mike Pretl, the former president of Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse.

“With thousands of dollars being raised by anti-Second Amendment liberals for Frank Kratovil’s campaign, it is clear that he will be beholden to their radical agenda in Washington,” Maryland Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura said.

Gilchrest has not endorsed Harris in the general election and several of his ex-top aides have gone to work for Kratovil’s campaign.

— John McArdle