Del. Peter V.R. Franchot

Many would consider Franchot, the presumptive winner of this fall’s comptroller’s race, a dark horse in the race for higher office in 2010, but that’s what the State House insiders were saying when the veteran Montgomery County lawmaker launched his bid for comptroller last fall. Over the past few years, Franchot has surprised observers with his ability to galvanize the liberal base of the party and the discipline that defined both his candidacy and those of his opponents. He has shown a willingness to reach out to business leaders and his statewide perch as comptroller will give him a platform to reach out to party stalwarts and large contributors.