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Democrats Storm through Winter Mess to set Records

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

800,000 Democratic Voters Would Not Be Denied

MD Democratic Party Sets Sights on Picking up Two More House Seats

Annapolis, MD – Maryland Democrats took another giant step towards advancing the change most Americans seek in 2008 by braving snow, freezing rain and icy roads to cast a record number of presidential primary votes. 33% more Democrats went to the polls than the previous record high for a single party primary turnout in Maryland – 591,000 in 1976.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” says Michael Cryor, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. “We have two incredible presidential candidates who’ve inspired record-breaking turnout across America. Maryland Democrats are just like the mail carriers; neither rain, sleet, snow nor dead of night – as it turned out - could keep Democrats from voting in record numbers to put America back on the right course, again.”

Poor weather conditions forced the extension of voting hours into the night. As the votes were counted it became clear the Maryland Democratic Party reaffirmed its strength in 6 of 8 Congressional districts and now has a great opportunity to win the only two Maryland Congressional seats in Republican control; District 1 and District 6.

“A popular Republican incumbent has gone down and Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil has the proven bipartisan appeal to take his place,” said Cryor. “At the other end of the state, most voters - regardless of party – are demanding change. We have an exceptional public servant and businesswoman in Jennifer Dougherty. The contrast she presents to an entrenched and ineffective incumbent whose time has past could not be more clear. Along with 4^th District nominee Donna Edwards, this primary demonstrated once again our party’s - and our voter’s - commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion across racial and gender lines.”

“The Maryland Democrat Party and our elected leadership were right to create the Chesapeake Primary and make Maryland relevant again,” says Cryor. “As a result, new voters and young voters responded as we hoped. This is going to be a transformative year in Maryland as we reach out to independents and Republicans on our way to leading America into a new and better future.”