Sen. Brian Frosh

The brainy lawmaker has a sterling reputation as one of the most gentlemanly and best-liked members of the state Senate. He has long been regarded as the Senate’s chief defender of the Chesapeake Bay, but over the past term he has expanded that profile by supporting other core progressive values and bared his partisan teeth when it came to Ehrlich’s hiring and firing practices. In a youthful leaning party that may be looking for gravitas in 2010, Frosh could gain support quickly and take advantage of Montgomery County’s newfound election strength.