Maryland Politics

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) holds a 7 percentage point lead over former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) in a hypothetical 2010 rematch, according to a poll released late Wednesday by the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group.

The spread — 47 percent to 40 percent — is about the same as that by which O’Malley prevailed in the 2006 election. But Clarus concludes that the Democratic incumbent could be vulnerable, as economic and state fiscal issues are a drag on his re-election prospects.

On a separate question, 39 percent of voters said they want to see O’Malley re-elected while 48 percent say they would like for someone new to win.

“O’Malley is favored for re-election because of Maryland’s strong Democratic tilt,” said Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group. “But if the state’s current economic and fiscal troubles persist, he could be vulnerable to a strong opponent.”