In this week’s news of Maryland’s 2014 gubernatorial race, Harford County Executive David R. Craig set a date to announce his Republican candidacy and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown’s campaign confirmed that his running mate in seeking the Democratic nomination will be Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

Donald F. Norris, professor and chair of public policy at UMBC, told the Baltimore Sun that in selecting Ulman, Brown’s campaign is “appealing to a different Democratic base.” He predicts that while Brown’s strength is among Baltimore and Prince George’s County voters, Ulman can help Brown pick up votes in Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties.

Norris argues that David Craig faces the challenge uniting a divided Maryland GOP, but he has notable strengths. “If [Craig] is able to get the Republican nomination — the Republican nomination has been taken over by the very far right — he’ll be credible in a general election,” says Norris. “I think he’s a very credible candidate against any Democratic candidate. He can attract conservative Democrats in Baltimore County.”

In The Daily Record, Norris also weighs in on the potential candidacy of Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, who has said he does not plan to decide whether to run for governor until the fall. Norris notes that the primary schedule is accelerated this election, with votes cast next June rather than next September. This makes getting into the race early particularly important. Norris says of Gansler, “He can’t wait too long, because the campaign is going to be over in January.”