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ANNAPOLIS — Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. told a ballroom full of elected Democrats, party activists and State House lobbyists that he is looking to an outgoing county executive and a former Ocean City mayor to win seats in his chamber currently held by departing Republicans.

Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach did not name either Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. or Del. James N. Mathias Jr., but it was clear to whom he was referring.

Both men were in attendance at the Maryland Democratic Party's annual pre-session luncheon, which served up the usual red meat for the party faithful.

Afterward, Smith (D) played down Miller's pronouncement, joking that he could have been referencing former Baltimore County Executive Dennis F. Rasmussen, who is now a lobbyist.

"I wonder who he was talking about?" he said innocently.

Smith, who is term-limited and recently moved into the 7th Legislative District where Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Dist. 7) of Cockeysville is relinquishing his seat to run for Congress, said he plans to make an announcement about his political future following the legislative session.

Mathias (D-Dist. 38B) of Ocean City is considered likely to run for the seat held by Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-Dist. 38) of Westover, who is retiring.

An energetic Miller was in vintage form on the eve of the legislative session, pumping up the crowd by projecting Democratic gains in this year's election.

"Not only are we not going to lose any seats, we're going to take three, four, five of theirs," he said.

Later, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) made a similar proclamation about the party's strength.

"[Republicans] can have Virginia and they can have New Jersey, but they can't have Maryland," he said, pounding his fist on the podium for emphasis.