Harris Poll Shows Kratovil Down 13
The campaign of state Sen. Andy Harris (R) on Friday circulated an internal poll showing Rep. Frank Kratovil (D) down by double digits in a hypothetical rematch of their 2008 race in Maryland’s Eastern Shore based 1st district.
Harris earned 52 percent to Kratovil’s 39 percent with just 10 percent undecided according to a survey of 300 likely 1st district voters. The poll, which was conducted Nov. 15 – 17 for Harris’ campaign by the Tarrance Group, had a 5.8 point margin of error.
In further bad news for the freshman Congressman the survey found that just 29 percent of voters said they believe Kratovil deserves to be re-elected. Twenty-three percent were unsure and 49 percent believed a new person deserved a chance.
Kratovil defeated Harris by less than 3,000 votes in one of the closest elections of the 2008 cycle. This year, Harris is back for a rematch and has the support of much of the state and national party establishment. Still Harris may not have the primary field to himself. Wealthy state Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R), who was involved in a nasty three-way primary with Harris last cycle, is rumored to be considering making another run at the nomination.