Attorney General Race Intensifies Between Democrat Candidates Frosh & Cardin

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—We're a week to the day away from the state primary and candidates Jon Cardin and Brian Frosh are in a heated contest to become the Democratic candidate for attorney general.

Political reporter Pat Warren has details on the primary's latest controversy.

The race for Maryland attorney general seems to be getting more attention for campaign tactics than campaign issues.

The Frosh campaign for attorney general slams Cardin in an ad, saying he "missed 75 percent of committee votes, misused a Baltimore police boat and helicopter and tried to duck accountability."

In an interview with WJZ on Tuesday, Cardin talked about the incident and the ads.

"I apologized to the city, and I said I'm going to be a better legislator because of this mistake and repay the city. I admit that, and then I moved on. And I have been a better legislator, a better person because of it," Cardin said.

Cardin's admitted mistake is also the focus of a Political Action Committee attack ad. The Cardin campaign filed an injunction against the group responsible for failing to disclose its financial information.

"Ninety minutes, two hours after we filed the injunction, amazingly they finally complied," Cardin said.

In what may be the most heated race of the primary, Cardin is running six points ahead of state Senator Frosh in the Democratic primary for attorney general.

Frosh told WJZ Cardin's actions are fair game.

"Absolutely, it's not a smear campaign. It's merely a presentation of one fact after another that shows that he lacks the judgment to be Maryland's chief legal officer," Frosh said.

Facts that include missing committee votes, which Cardin explains were family related.

"I've gotten my job done and I've gone home to make sure my family's safe and sound, and I will continue to do that for the citizens of the state of Maryland," Cardin said.

Frosh tells WJZ there's more at stake.

"The most important characteristic for an attorney general is to have good judgment. And he's demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks good judgment," Frosh said.

But the Cardin name, even Frosh admits, inspires voter confidence.

Jon Cardin is the nephew of U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and is the only Baltimore-area candidate running for statewide office.

Early voting centers are still open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday.

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