ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Democrat running for Congress in Maryland's First District received the endorsement of the Republican incumbent he is hoping to replace.

Watch: Gilchrest Endorses Democrat

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest endorsed Democrat Frank Kratovil Tuesday during a news conference at City Dock in Annapolis.

"This is not about crossing party lines. This is about getting somebody elected who has courage and integrity and will look at these issues in all their varied dimensions and complexities … Frank Kratovil is not going to vote against the interest of this district for party loyalty," Gilchrest said.

In an earlier written statement, Gilchrest said he has always tried to make decisions "based on principle rather than partisanship or politics." He said this decision is no different, and he says he admires Kratovil's "integrity and independence."

Kratovil is the Queen Anne's County State's Attorney.

"You hear people talking about how tired they are of politics, how sick they are of partisanship, how they want people that are going to be different. And the irony of it is that when you have people like that -- like the congressmen -- what happens? They get beat in the primary by ultra-right people," Kratovil said Tuesday.

Gilchrest is completing his ninth term in Congress. His bid for another term ended in February, when he was defeated in a Republican primary by state Sen. Andy Harris.

Harris was unavailable Tuesday but his campaign said the endorsement wasn't surprising.

"Voters are tired of the failed polices of Congress. They're tired of them increasing taxes, increasing wasteful spending and failing to produce an energy policy. Andy represents the change we need in Washington, and obviously today, it shows Kratovil represents more of the same," said Chris Meekins, Harris' campaign manager.