JuiceBlender // Meet Judge Kratovil, MD Redistricting Lawsuit Rejected, Roscoe Bartlett Awakens & Van Hollen on Drug Tests

Here's a random blend of political tidbits from the last week, starting with more fallout from Maryland's 2012 congressional redistricting. Several months ago, Senator Rich Madaleno told Maryland Juice readers & viewers that the first major decision facing Democrats was which Republican to attack: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett in CD6 or Rep. Andy Harris in CD1. Over the course of the last few months, many of us watched the Dems quickly target Mr. Bartlett, leading to a parade of Republican and Democratic challengers in CD6. But whatever happened to former CD1 Congressman Frank Kratovil? Last week we learned that his story ends well, too.

Juice #1: Meet Judge Frank Kratovil: A few days ago, a Maryland Juice source forwarded us a press release with the following headline "Governor O'Malley Appoints Frank Kratovil to Queen Anne's County District Court." The statement noted: "Mr. Kratovil will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable John T. Clark, III.... Mr. Kratovil served as State’s Attorney in Queen Anne’s County from 2002 to 2009.  Mr. Kratovil left his post after he was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Kratovil served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Queen Anne’s and Prince George’s Counties and as Deputy State’s Attorney in Kent County.... More information about the nominating commissions can be found at www.gov.state.md.us (shortened)."

In comments to Easton's Star Democrat, Mr. Kratovil stated one of his reasons for wanting to be a judge: "When you're a judge every decision has to be impartial and I think a courtroom is one of the best places in the world to get to the truth."

Maryland Reporter: Congressmen Roscoe Bartlett & Andy Harris Financing Fannie Lou Hamer Redistricting Lawsuit

Did anyone catch this line in today's Maryland Reporter article about Rep. Roscoe Bartlett?

In another of Bartlett’s mixed signals, he dragged his feet on raising money to challenge the lawsuit of the congressional redistricting plan, and had to be cajoled into doing it. (The redistricting fight is being financed by the conservative Legacy Foundation of Iowa, but that organization is relying on contributions from Bartlett, Harris and others to foot the bill.)

Maryland Juice previously reported that a lawsuit brought against Maryland redistricting plan was being financed by anti-Obama and anti-immigrant rightwing lawyers. Now it turns out, that Maryland's GOP Congressmen are funneling contributions to the effort through an Iowa organization. Democratic Senator Anthony Muse might want to reconsider his recently announced support of this lawsuit.

Court Schedule for Maryland Redistricting Lawsuit May Bump 2012 Primary Date // Potential Military Absentee Ballot Issues

Quick Newsflash: The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the trial schedule for the Fannie Lou Hamer Maryland redistricting lawsuit may have an impact on the April 2012 Primary Election date:

The U.S. District Court for Maryland has released a schedule for its handling of a challenge to Gov. Martin O'Malley's redistricting plan that could challenge state election officials' ability to conduct the April 3 primary as scheduled....

If the judges decide to throw out the map adopted by the General Assembly during its recent special session and to draw their own, the State Board of Elections would almost certainly have to seek a delay in the primary election....

The lawsuit is being financed by the conservative Legacy Foundation and has the support of the Maryland Republican Party....

State Senator Anthony Muse Supports Maryland Redistricting Lawsuit // GOP Financiers Backing Legal Effort

Democratic State Senator Anthony Muse of Maryland announced his support for the Fannie Lou Hamer lawsuit against the State's redistricting plan. The Baltimore Sun today reported:

Sen. C. Anthony Muse, who was the only African-American senator to oppose the new map, said he backs the legal challenge mounted by the Fannie Lou Hamer Politiical Action Committee against the redistricting in federal District Court. A three-judge panel of that court has been named to hear the suit, which is also being cheered on by the Maryland Republican Party....

Muse, regarded as a maverick within his caucus, said he would not be personally affected by the map because he does not plan to run for the House. He has left open the possibility of running for a U.S. Senate seat -- most likely the one now held by Democratic U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin.

Though Mr. Muse's motives in supporting the lawsuit are related to trying to stop the dilution of African American and minority votes, Maryland Juice recently pointed out that the lawsuit was being financed by extreme rightwing groups and individuals. The lawsuit's backers include some seriously ideological folks that finance anti-Obama and anti-immigrant activities.

Redistricting Fallout: Rep. Bartlett Running in New CD6 // 1 or 2 Lawsuits // A New Senate Majority Leader

UPDATE: Breaking news from Twitter - "MARYLAND - CD-6: State Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (D) files FEC paperwork to challenge Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R)." @Politics1com

Yesterday, the Maryland Assembly finally brought the deliberations over 2012 Congressional boundaries to a close. Though there are still some procedural votes left (ie: the Sun noted 24 typos in the redistricting bill that need to be corrected in the Senate), the State is likely to plow forward in implementing Governor O'Malley's new map. This will kick off a wave of fresh stories for Maryland Juice, but below we highlight a preview of the fallout from the new redistricting plan:

Enter the CD6 Republican Candidates