Back Talk | Fixing the Economy: An Interview with New Congressman Frank Kratovil
By Mark Croatti
Frank Kratovil, the former State’s Attorney of Queen Anne’s County, had a difficult path to Capitol Hill from a district that hadn’t been represented by a Democrat in 18 years, and before that (Democrat Roy Dyson, who served 5 terms), 18 more years—back to 1963! When 9-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest—a Republican who had beaten Dyson in 1990 and had averaged nearly 70% of the vote for the past decade—was upset in the Republican primaries by State Senator Andy Harris, who won a 43% plurality in a five-person race, Kratovil’s chances began to improve. When former Governor Robert Erhlich endorsed Harris, Gilchrest endorsed Kratovil, who also benefitted from the Libertarian candidate, Richard Davis, taking almost 9,000 votes away from Harris. On election night, Kratovil nursed a roughly 900-vote lead, with thousands of provisional and absentee ballots still to be counted. A week later, Harris conceded and the First District—which includes all of the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties—had a new congressman. Representing multiple constituencies is nothing new to Frank Kratovil; in addition to serving as Assistant State's Attorney in Queen Anne's County from 1997-2001, he was the Assistant State's Attorney in Prince George's County from 1995-97 and the Deputy State's Attorney in Kent County in 2001.
What’s Up? Annapolis: What are your “Top 3 Priorities” for this year—your first in office?
Congressman Frank Kratovil: The first priority is fixing the economy, which should be the goal of every Member of Congress. Locally, I will balance environmental, agricultural, and commercial interests. It’s a moral imperative that we protect the environment for future generations while also protecting the agricultural and commercial interests that are the crux of our economy. Another top priority is building our transportation infrastructure; much of it is in dire need of repair. This will prepare us for future growth.
WUA: What committees are you hoping to get on?
FK: I would like to be assigned to committees where I can directly affect change, and I believe that can best be done on the Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Armed Services committees.
WUA: What do you think needs to be done about the economy and how do you plan to contribute?
FK: I will encourage investment in infrastructure—roads, bridges, water and sewer—and improve waste water treatment plants to create jobs while cleaning up the Bay. What our economy needs is oversight; for too long, Congress allowed Wall Street CEOs to run our economy into the ground. In order to rebuild and maintain a robust economy, I’ll insist that measures be taken on to rebuild the middle class and provide oversight, the necessary safeguards, that will protect our economy in the future
WUA: With needs and wants differing greatly within your district—between residents of the Eastern Shore and the western side—do you think it will be a struggle to represent a constituency that straddles both sides of the Chesapeake Bay?
FK: I really don't believe that needs and wants on either side of the shore are all that different. There are issues that are unique to each area, but the fact is, on both sides of the shore I represent families that want a prosperous economy that will allow them to send their kids to college or take a vacation without going into debt. Families want the environment, especially the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding rivers, to be vibrant and healthy so we can pass them down to our children and grandchildren in better shape. People will try to make the First District about the Eastern Shore vs. the Western Shore, but there is a lot more that unites us than divides us.
WUA: Do you feel the gains made by the Democratic Party in 2008 provide a mandate to legislate a more liberal agenda, or is it more important than ever to operate as a centrist?
FK: First of all, it is most important to operate and legislate on behalf of your constituents, not a political party or specific ideology, and that is what I plan to do. I believe that First District constituents are looking for common sense leadership, not partisan politics. For 18 years Congressman Wayne Gilchrest found a happy medium, and I hope to emulate that style.
WUA: How often will you be in your district meeting with constituents?
FK: As often as possible. Representing Maryland provides the unique experience of only being an hour outside of Washington. I plan to make full use of the First District's proximity to spend as much time with constituents and my family as the schedule allows. I live here and my family lives here, so I'm going to be around a lot!
Mark Croatti teaches American Government at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Any opinions expressed are his own.
Tags:
Frank Kratovil
congressman
economy
More Articles