Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry is expected to formally endorse William Donald Schaefer's candidacy for state comptroller today, a move that could strengthen the former governor's standing in the Washington suburbs.

Curry will announce his support of Schaefer at a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Largo, sources knowledgeable about the planned endorsement said yesterday.

The endorsement would come a week after Curry delivered a brief message of support at a Schaefer fund-raiser but stopped short of issuing a formal endorsement.

Saying he respected Schaefer's work as governor, and as mayor and city councilman in Baltimore before that, Curry said at the fund-raiser, "He has left a wonderful legacy of professionalism."

Michael Golden, spokesman for the Schaefer campaign, declined to comment on the expected endorsement, except to say: "Having the support of fellow Democrats in this primary race is important, and any help we can get to be victorious on Sept. 15 is much appreciated. This campaign is not leaving anything to chance."

Schaefer's chief opposition in the primary is Baltimore Comptroller Joan M. Pratt. Pratt, who has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn and other Democratic elected officials in Prince George's, played down the significance of Curry's expected endorsement.

"I don't think the endorsement of Wayne Curry of Schaefer is going to in any way detract from the people who support me," Pratt said. "I mean, Wayne Curry endorsed [failed gubernatorial candidate] Eileen Rehrmann, and where did it get her?"

Also yesterday, Pratt said her campaign has failed to file a legally required campaign-finance report because of computer problems. She hopes to file the next required report, due tomorrow.

Pub Date: 9/03/98