Ehrlich planning political jaunt to New Hampshire

Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.  is planning a weekend of Republican Party events this month in New Hampshire, quickly becoming a popular destination for Maryland politicians.

The ex-governor is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Nashua Republican City Committee's Friday night Steak Out fundraiser event Sept. 12. The next day he will hold a breakfast event Sept. 13 in Keene, followed by the New Hampshire Young Republicans' Annual Lobster Bake and Straw Poll in Laconia.

Ehrlich is not the only Maryland governor with plans to visit the state that will hold the nation's first presidential primary in 2016. Frequent visitor Martin O'Malley is expected to return to the Granite State Sept. 26. O'Malley recently named New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to his "O'Team" -- a group of five embattled Democrats around the country for whom his political action committee is raising money.

Shaheen is facing a stiff challenge from former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

With O'Malley there is little doubt why New Hampshire is on his travel itinerary. He has openly stated that he's considering a run for president.

Andrew Georgevits, vice chair of the Concord City GOP and one of the lobster bake organizers, said it's possible that Ehrlich's name could be on the straw poll ballot. "It's undecided," he said.

Ehrlich could not immediately be reached for comment on his plans.