If incumbent Republican Councilman Greg Fox is re-elected, and Flanagan and Schrader won the seats now held by Democratic Councilwomen Courtney Watson and Jen Terrasa, Reoulicans would control the five-member council. Terrasa said Monday she's not in campaign mode.
"I'm keeping focused on what I'm doing" as a council member, she said. Watson also said it is "way too early" to talk about next year's campaign.
Howard Del. Warren E. Miller said he feels Republicans will benefit from national discontent.
"We had two bad cycles under President [George W.] Bush," he said. "But you can't blame Republicans for anything now, and things aren't working," he said, referring to high unemployment. "It's going to be an up year for us."
Democrats aren't conceding anything, however.
Ulman said he expects to have over $500,000 on hand when the next state campaign finance reports are filed in January, and he said voter registrations show no new enthusiasm for the GOP.
"If anybody's getting a bump, it's independents," he said.
"Folks in Howard County appreciate the quality of life here," Ulman said, mentioning public safety, the county's top-rated schools and libraries. "We're going to keep focusing on those things every day."
Ulman has pushed a progressive agenda since taking office, starting the Healthy Howard health care access plan for the county's uninsured and distributing large wheeled recycling bins to most homes to boost recycling. He's also had the county buy hybrid vehicles for county inspectors and the local transit system, and expanded the police force by 54 sworn officers.
