EDITOR'S NOTE: Political Notes is a weekly look at government and political news. Send items to rhutzell@mdgazette.com.

A former state delegate and Calvert County Democrat appears ready to announce a challenge to Gov. Martin O'Malley in the gubernatorial primary.

George W. Owings III, the former majority whip, served as secretary of veterans affairs under Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. He has been a sharp critic of O'Malley's fiscal policies, disagreeing with O'Malley's decision to raise the sales tax during a 2007 special session.

Owings also took issue with the governor's...