Craig Rules Out Smith as Democratic Contender

Whatever it is David Craig decides to run for in 2014 (cough, governor, cough), the Harford County executive doesn't seem worried about one particular Democrat—former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

Craig, a Republican who is term limited, is eyeing a statewide race in three years. He already has a campaign website and staff. Last Friday, Craig invited reporters and some conservative bloggers to a campaign meet and greet over burgers and beer at in Annapolis. (Patch picked up the tab for the two reporters who attended.)

Smith has more than $629,000 in the bank still, according to the most recent campaign finance report filed in January. That report has continued to fuel rumors, which began before Smith left office in December, that a run for governor was inevitable in 2014.

But Craig is looking past Smith to other big-name Democrats for whatever race he ultimately chooses, namely Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Attorney General Douglas Gansler and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

All of those Democrats are potential candidates for governor in three years. Craig, who mentioned governor, comptroller and congress as a possibility, is being coy about his specific intentions.

All of Craig's recent fundraisers have been for his state campaign account. The money could not be transferred to a federal campaign. He's also said as recently as Friday that his interests tend to run toward the executive rather than legislative branch.

Craig called Smith, who would be 72 for the 2014 campaign, an "old timer," and said the former Baltimore County councilman, Circuit Court judge and county executive would be out of public office too long to remain relevant.

"He's done," Craig said. "He took himself off the board. That would be like me saying Nolan Ryan was coming back to pitch for the Yankees."

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