Bob Ehrlich's election as governor opens a whole new world for Republicans in Howard County - both in the county's relations with Annapolis and as local politicians contemplate their futures.
"What it means is that we have a true two-party system now, throughout Maryland and in Howard County," said former Senate minority leader Martin G. Madden, who resigned his seat in January but helped in Ehrlich's campaign.
"All those benefits that accrued to Democrats in the past will accrue to Republicans" - starting with control of all state boards and commissions, including Howard's election board, Madden said.
Suddenly, Howard's Republican leaders are insiders instead of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's favorite whipping boys, and, as the financial pain of solving the state's budget deficit is apportioned, that could help. Several names have been floated as possible new administration officials.
"I don't think the full impact of it has hit me. It's certainly something I'm looking forward to," said Del. Robert L. Flanagan, who, with state Sen. Robert H. Kittleman, was one of the statewide party leaders frequently singled out for criticism by Glendening at the annual "beg-athon" - the January event during which local officials ask for more school construction money.
"The leadership of the Republican Party in this state has long been Howard County. [Lt. Gov.-elect] Michael Steele and I are close friends. We have a lot of ties with the new administration," said County Councilman Allan H. Kittleman, a western county Republican who is also the state senator's son.
At the same time, county Republicans are tempted to dream of a time four years from now, when an incumbent Republican governor may be seeking re-election while Howard's county executive's job will be open and up for grabs.
"It's too early to tell, but I'm keeping all my options open. This won't be the last time I'm running for public office," said County Councilman Christopher J. Merdon, an Ellicott City Republican. "There's a good possibility for a Republican county executive next time around," he said.
Even some Democrats are getting important new opportunities that could help the county.
State Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, a Columbia Democrat who represents Howard and southwestern Baltimore County, was named chairman of an expanded capital budget subcommittee - an influential group that will recommend which projects get state money and which do not. He called it "a real promotion for me."
Kasemeyer was also named deputy majority leader in the Senate.
The capital budget subcommittee chairmanship "is a significant role, no question about it," he said. "Basically you're reviewing and approving and disapproving all capital projects."
Kasemeyer said he will not favor his home counties, "but you try to take care of their chief priorities."
As Howard's leaders begin thinking about how they will fare in the 90-day General Assembly session under Ehrlich, Senator Kittleman offered some advice.
Because of the looming revenue shortfall, "the first year there are not going to be any perks or any new initiatives," he said. "The question is, how much do they all lose?"
One-third of the state's general fund is local aid, and it will suffer some, he said.
James N. Robey, Howard's Democratic county executive, said he has heard "the governor-elect say he would not balance the state budget on the backs of local jurisdictions. He's a man of honor."
Robey said he realizes that cuts are going to affect every county, however. "We'll do our part" in absorbing them, he said.
Councilman Kittleman has offered to be Robey's go-between with the Ehrlich administration.
Still, said Senator Kittleman, a former House minority leader, "When decisions come up, there will be some strong advocates from Howard County."
His son agreed. "The bigger thing is that we have long-term relationships with these folks. We can reach them. It doesn't hurt," Allan Kittleman said.
County Republicans also see big political changes coming locally within the next four years, when Ehrlich appointments could cause a political shuffle within the GOP. The 2006 election for the open county executive's seat could draw many candidates from the County Council or General Assembly.
Although he is a long way from deciding what to do in 2006, Allan Kittleman said he would consider a run for executive. Ehrlich's 55 percent victory in Howard "only bodes well for the Republicans in Howard County," he said.
"The power of incumbency helps" any candidacy, Madden said, especially in raising money. "The playing field will get leveled very quickly by a Republican governor."
Democrats, however, are not convinced.
"I don't think it means diddly for four years from now," said Del.-elect Neil Quinter. "Republicans sometimes pull it off at the top of the ticket, but that hasn't translated into victories at the local, county level."
County Councilman Guy J. Guzzone, a North Laurel-Savage Democrat, noted that Democrats captured two more congressional seats in Maryland, among other victories.
Wendy Fiedler, Howard's Democratic Party leader, said performance over time will be the true test.
"At the end of four years, people could be very unhappy with Governor Ehrlich. He has made many promises that he could do things better. The onus is on him," Fiedler said.
Mainly, the big Republican victory is a new experience for still-giddy Republicans.
After all, when the last Maryland Republican, Spiro T. Agnew, was elected governor in 1966, "I was 8," said Allan Kittleman, 44. "It's different for me."