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Some Md. State Lawmakers Hope To Make Jump To Washington

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A mix of political circumstances in Maryland is prompting a variety of state lawmakers to make congressional bids this year.

For one thing, state legislators get to keep their seats in the General Assembly if they lose, because they aren't up for
re-election in the state legislature until 2014.

Some Republicans may also be considering the fact that more GOP voters may be motivated to come to the polls in 2012 due to ballot measures. A Maryland law that would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition is headed to the ballot for voters to decide.

Also, if lawmakers approve legalizing gay marriage, it's widely believed that the bill will be petitioned to the ballot as well.

That would provide another incentive for Republican voters to show up in November.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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