RUMOR: Rep. Elijah Cummings to Make "Announcement" About Brown-Ulman // PLUS: Fmr B'more Exec Jim Smith In the Bag?

Earlier today, Maryland Juice reported on breaking news that Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman have decided to team up in the 2014 race for Governor. We now have a few additional factors to consider in the race, starting with news of a mysterious announcement from Rep. Elijah Cummings:

FACTOR #1: REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS TO ENDORSE BROWN-ULMAN TICKET? - Two sources indicate that Congressman Elijah Cummings (who represents the Baltimore region), will likely be making a major "announcement" regarding the Brown-Ulman ticket. I haven't been able to pin down the date, but we can surely guess at what Cummings' mysterious commentary might be.

One interesting thing to note about Cummings' likely endorsement of Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is that it means Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger may not be able to count on the support of his Congressional colleagues should he decide to run for Governor. Ouch!

The second factor noted by politicos lies in the tea-leaves some perceive in former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith's nomination to be the next Transportation Secretary for Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reported on the news today (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: Gov. Martin O'Malley will turn to a longtime political ally, former Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, to lead the Maryland Department of Transportation as it begins a new era of stepped-up construction, administration officials confirmed Tuesday....

Smith considered running for comptroller or state Senate in 2010 before deciding to sit out the election. Since Smith left office, his political future has been the subject of much speculation. He had more than $550,000 in his still-active campaign account as of January — money he could use toward seeking state or local office....

FACTOR #2: CAN FORMER BALTIMORE COUNTY EXEC JIM SMITH HELP ULMAN-BROWN CARRY HIS REGION? - A Maryland Juice reader speculated today that Jim Smith being named the new Transportation Secretary would help put Baltimore County into the Brown-Ulman column in the 2014 gubernatorial primary. Bernard John Hayden left the following comment on our blog today:

MARYLAND JUICE READER: With Jim Smith now clearly on the O'Malley-Brown-Ulman team, Baltimore County shifts to Brown in both the primary and general, unless Dutch runs for gov. And, of course, Brown-Ulman carry Prince George's, Howard, and The City by big margins.

One question Maryland Juice has is what will happen to the $550,000 in Jim Smith's bank account. Can and will these funds now be deployed for the benefit of the Brown-Ulman ticket? Can we expect to see Jim Smith stumping for the ticket in Baltimore County?  Hmm. Either way, it looks like the Lieutenant Governor is trying to lock down regional bases of support.


MUCH MORE ON MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S RACE SOON!