From Eric Dondero:

A recent poll showed entrenched Democrat incumbent Senator Barbara Mikulski with an increasing vulnerbility. By Rasmussen, against a generic Republican she only polls 54% support to 36% who would vote GOP. Mikulski has never before had favorables below the 60% mark.

She also faces a number of health concerns. The 74-year old fell last year and broke her ankle. Additionally, she's had an ongoing struggle with obesity. (There are recurring rumors that she's actually planning to step aside and not run for reelection.)

Three Republicans and one Independent have recently announced against her. One of them is being supported by libertarians in the State.

From the Baltimore Sun, "This Md Republican thinks Mikulski is vulnerable" Feb. 28:

Although Michael S. Steele, the Republican national party chairman and a former Maryland lieutenant governor, was beaten by veteran congressman Benjamin L. Cardin in the 2006 Maryland Senate election, Republicans say that was a Democratic year. Now voter sentiment has shifted, they believe, and the recent string of Republican victories in other states seem to prove it.

The leading candidate so far appears to be a Medical Doctor.

Dr. Eric S. Wargotz explained why he thinks 2010 will be so kind to Republicans that he's got a chance to replace four- term U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, arguably Maryland's most popular Democrat.

"I'm running because I believe I can do it," said Wargotz, 53, a first-term Queen Anne's County commissioner. "I see an opening here. Look at Scott Brown," he said... Wargotz said he went to Massachusetts to help in the Brown campaign's final days.

His libertarian Republican supporters include Don Murphy an outspoken leader of "Republicans for Marijuana Reform," and a twice attendee to National Conventions of the Republican Liberty Caucus.

Howard County's Republican County Councilman Greg Fox did the initial introductions at Wargotz's fundraiser last weekend at the home of Rob and Carroll Cohen, and former Howard Del. Don Murphy also attended...

"God bless Eric for putting himself out," Murphy said, noting that Wargotz is giving up his local office to run for the senate. "Eric is an incumbent elected official. He understands what it is to govern," and as a medical doctor, he has expertise on health care... Cohen, 53, who said his politics are close to libertarian, runs Alliance Benefits and Compensation, an employee-benefits firm. He said... he liked the pathologist's medical background and views.