Candidates

Harford County Executive David R. Craig, one of the leading Republican prospects in the 2014 gubernatorial race, reported Thursday that he raised about half as much money as his chief rival for the nomination. Craig's disclosure, filed more than nine hours after Wednesday night's deadline, showed that he raised $232,283 last year and has $202,236 in cash on hand. His totals lag behind those of Blaine Young, president of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners, who reported early this week that he raised $445,651 and has $341,936 in the bank.

An old reporter often begins his daily routine by turning to the newspaper's obituary page with mild trepidation, fearing another friend has gone to that great newsroom in the sky. So it was this week in reading of the death in Baltimore, at only 62, of Richard Ben Cramer, arguably the best writer of a presidential campaign chronicle ever. That would be his 1,047-page opus of one of the less memorable contests, in 1988, among six less-than-heroic candidates: Republicans George H.W. Bush, the eventual winner, and Bob Dole; and Democrats Michael Dukakis, the eventual party nominee, Richard Gephardt, Joe Biden and Gary Hart.

Former Maryland congressional candidate Wendy W. Rosen was charged Thursday with illegally voting in two elections and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Maryland State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt charged Rosen, 58, with casting ballots in 2006 and 2010 in Baltimore County even though her legal residence was in Florida. Rosen, a Cockeysville Democrat, ran against Republican Rep. Andy Harris in the 1st Congressional District this year. Maryland and Florida both held gubernatorial and congressional contests in 2006 and 2010.

Beverly K. Swaim-Staley announced in April that she would be leaving her post as Maryland's secretary of transportation. Nearly eight months later, Gov. Martin O'Malley has yet to name a replacement for one of the most important positions in state government. The delay is a growing concern, transportation advocates and lawmakers say. Longtime observers of Maryland government can't recall a time when a governor has left such a critical Cabinet post open for so long. "It isn't as though Beverly didn't give adequate notice," said Lon Anderson, government affairs director for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Comptroller Peter Franchot, considered one of the leading prospective Democratic candidates for governor in 2014, said Dec. 11 that he will not run that race and will instead seek a third term in his current office. A few hours after Franchot's announcement, District 21 Sen. Jim Rosapepe, who was among those who had expressed an interest in running for comptroller if Franchot ran for governor, issued his own statement, saying he intends to seek re-election to the state Senate in 2014.

Unless the Ravens improve dramatically on offense, it's safe to assume they will interview candidates to become the team's offensive coordinator, including Jim Caldwell. Caldwell became the OC when the Ravens fired Cam Cameron after Sunday's loss to the Washington Redskins. It makes sense for the Ravens to interview others because there should be some attractive candidates out there, like Philadelphia's Andy Reid and San Diego's Norv Turner, long-time head coaches who are expected to be let go by their respective teams at the end of the season.

Anne Arundel County Councilman John Grasso will formally open his campaign for the county executive's spot at an event Dec 9 at La Fontaine Bleu  - while serving up his own brand of county water. Grasso, a Glen Burnie Republican in the midst of his first term on the County Council and who is known for his outspoken ways ,  will be the first candidate to make the announcement for the 2014 political contest. He bottled his own water from the county's supply Wednesday - it's called Pure - promising to donate proceeds to the county government.

More than a few East Coast buildings contain a Tiffany stained-glass window or two. But one structure in Baltimore can boast much more - a complete interior created by the famed designer, Louis Comfort Tiffany. St. Mark's Lutheran Church on St. Paul Street is considered such an exceptional example of Tiffany's work that it has been recommended for designation as a Baltimore landmark. Only one other city building - the Senator Theatre - has an interior that was singled out for landmark status.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was hoping to keep his 2012 coaching staff together for next season. That didn't happen -- third-base coach DeMarlo Hale has left the organization to become the bench coach for John Gibbons in Toronto. That means Showalter will have to find a new third-base/infielders coach. And although it's a move that won't mean much to the casual fan, Showalter has always championed it as an exceptionally important spot. He was thrilled when Hale joined the Orioles last winter and, consequently, expect Showalter to take his time again to find the right fit. Here's a look at six potential candidates to replace Hale, though it is very early in the process.

It has become obvious that early voting has become a hit in Maryland. Over 430,000 residents - 11.7 percent of eligible voters - chose to exercise their right to participate is this very important component of the American election process ("Voting resumes at record pace," Nov. 1). Hopefully, more Marylanders will be encouraged to participate as the kinks in the system are worked out, particularly the need for more early voting centers. I also found it somewhat irksome that The Sun waited until early voting was completed to publish its presidential endorsement.