Key members of the Gilchrest machine continue to line up behind Democrat Frank M. Kratovil Jr. in his bid to represent Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

Lynn Caligiuri, campaign finance director for Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest, a Republican defeated in the February primary by state Sen. Andy Harris, said today she is joining the Kratovil campaign.

"“Obviously many of us were disappointed in the Republican primary results. But we now have an opportunity to send someone to Washington to continue to represent our values and end the partisan attacks and divisiveness that has rendered Congress ineffective and unresponsive,” Caligiuri said. “Frank Kratovil is the right choice.”

Mr. Gilchrest after in the bitter primary, many Gilchrest's staffers attended a "Republicans for Kratovil" breakfast on the Eastern Shore. Gilchrest has yet to endorse a candidate in the November race.

State Sen. Andrew P. Harris, Baltimore County Republican, outraised his Democratic opponent, Frank M. Kratovil Jr. 2-to-1 in the last quarter, according to fundraising totals released by the campaigns this afternoon.

The Harris campaign said it collected $401,000 from January to the start of this month and had $204,000 cash-on-hand.

"Doubling our opponents fund totals clearly shows Andy Harris is gaining momentum heading into the general election," said Chris Meekins, Harris' campaign manager.

The Kratovil campaign reported bringing in $189,000 over the quarter, and having $180,000 cash-on-hand.

"We're pleased with it, we feel like it puts us on track to wage a competitive campaign," said Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil's communications director.

Harris ousted long-time incumbent Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest in February's Republican primary election, and Mr. Kratovil broke through a crowd of four candidates to win the nod from Democrats.

Kratovil supporters, including top Gilchrest taffers, say the Harris win opens the seat for a Democrat. But Republicans have handily won Maryland's in the last two statewide and Presidential elections.

The general election is November 4.

Spotted moving staffers and politicos out of the State House this week: Office Movers, a Kane Company.

That would be Kane, as in John Kane, former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.

Lawmakers frequently talk about doing the "heavy lifting" of cutting programs from the ever-growing state budget or taking hard votes on tax measures. It would appear, however, that GOPer movers were doing the truly "heavy" lifting this week.

All denizens of the Maryland State House are to be relocated throughout Annapolis by next week, as contractors replace piping in the historic building. (And kick up large clouds of asbestos in the process.) "Heavy" demolition is expected to begin by the end of the month, and be completed by January, when lawmakers return for the 2009 session.

Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch wore tennis shoes with his gray suit on the House floor yesterday.

Why the dapper choice in footwear?

Mr. Busch, who stands through most of the session while presiding over the House, chose tennies because he knew it would be a long session, a spokeswoman said.