Frank Kratovil is a Democrat who represents one of Maryland’s most conservative districts; his win by less than one percent in 2008 was a pleasant surprise for Democrats, and it was helped by Kratovil’s law-and-order reputation as a former prosecutor. Since then, Kratovil has faced tough crowds at town-hall meetings, voted for the stimulus, and voted against the health-care bill.

Now that law-and-order reputation may be in trouble: Red Maryland notices that Kratovil dropped 13 out of 16 charges against a drug dealer charged with assault with a deadly weapon, who is now out on the street after serving three years, and is now, due to parole violations, on the Queen Anne’s County Most Wanted List.

State senator Andy Harris, who narrowly lost to Kratovil last year, is aiming for a rematch next year.