A trio of former Ehrlich administration officials are hoping to wrest power next year from Democrats in Howard County, a bellwether jurisdiction for the two major political parties in recent Maryland elections.

Democrats, led by County Executive Ken Ulman, hold the majority of Howard's political offices - four of the five council seats, two of the county's three state Senate seats and six of the eight state delegate posts. The county, though, has supported Republicans in the past. Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. won the county in 2002 but lost it four years later. Since then, Democrats' strength has increased, both in voter registrations and in election results.

But Republicans feel they can benefit from what they see as growing discontent both nationally and locally over unemployment, health care reform and the federal deficit.

"2010 is going to be a different year, folks. I can smell it," Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman told about 150 Republican supporters at a fundraising picnic at his West Friendship farm Sunday.

State Republicans hope Ehrlich will run against Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, which they feel would boost the party.

At the Kittleman picnic, his stepmother, Trent Kittleman, said she was seriously considering a run for county executive next year.

Trent Kittleman, 64, is a lawyer and former congressional staffer who served as deputy transportation secretary under Ehrlich and later as president and CEO of the Maryland Transportation Authority, leaving office after Ehrlich's 2006 defeat. She is the widow of state Sen. Robert H. Kittleman.

"I'm forming an exploratory committee to see if I can raise an adequate amount of money," she said. She'll likely make a final decision early next year.

The picnic drew a number former Ehrlich Cabinet officers, two of whom said they might run for Howard County Council seats now held by Democrats.

Robert L. Flanagan, a former Howard state delegate and Ehrlich's transportation secretary, and Dennis R. Schrader, a former county councilman and Ehrlich's homeland security chief, both indicated they were considering council races after seeming to discount the idea one month ago.

"I'm talking to people," Flanagan said when asked about reports that he's already door-knocking.

"I've moved into taking a more serious look at it," said Schrader, who served on the council from 1994 to 1998, when he ran unsuccessfully for county executive.

If incumbent Republican Councilman Greg Fox is re-elected, and Flanagan and Schrader won the seats now held by Democratic Councilwomen Courtney Watson and Jen Terrasa, Reoulicans would control the five-member council. Terrasa said Monday she's not in campaign mode.

"I'm keeping focused on what I'm doing" as a council member, she said. Watson also said it is "way too early" to talk about next year's campaign.

Howard Del. Warren E. Miller said he feels Republicans will benefit from national discontent.

"We had two bad cycles under President [George W.] Bush," he said. "But you can't blame Republicans for anything now, and things aren't working," he said, referring to high unemployment. "It's going to be an up year for us."

Democrats aren't conceding anything, however.

Ulman said he expects to have over $500,000 on hand when the next state campaign finance reports are filed in January, and he said voter registrations show no new enthusiasm for the GOP.

"If anybody's getting a bump, it's independents," he said.

"Folks in Howard County appreciate the quality of life here," Ulman said, mentioning public safety, the county's top-rated schools and libraries. "We're going to keep focusing on those things every day."

Ulman has pushed a progressive agenda since taking office, starting the Healthy Howard health care access plan for the county's uninsured and distributing large wheeled recycling bins to most homes to boost recycling. He's also had the county buy hybrid vehicles for county inspectors and the local transit system, and expanded the police force by 54 sworn officers.