Former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich announced Tuesday his intent to seek a rematch this fall with Gov. Martin O’Malley, ending months of speculation.
Ehrlich, a Republican, said he will kick of his campaign in Rockville next week.
“It’s time for new ideas and proven leadership in Annapolis,” Ehrlich told his fans on Facebook. “Our economy and our families can afford no less.”
In a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1, Ehrlich is one of the Maryland GOP’s most recognizable and popular stars. His election in 2002 made him the Free State’s first Republican governor in a generation.
But Ehrlich, who defeated Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, lasted only one term, and was defeated by O’Malley, a Democrat, 53 percent to 46 percent in 2006. Recent polls have shown O’Malley keeping a similar lead, but have pegged the current governor’s approval rating below 50 percent.
» Age: 52
» Hometown: Arbutus, suburb of Baltimore
» Education: Princeton University, Wake Forest Law School
» Elected positions: Governor, U.S. representative, Maryland House of Delegates
Ehrlich will seek to capitalize on the same Republican momentum that saw recent GOP victories in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
In the weeks leading to his re-election announcement, Ehrlich has painted O’Malley as out of touch with Maryland’s mainstream sensibilities and a foe of the state’s businesses. He pointed to the state’s high unemployment rate, O’Malley’s tax increases and the state’s large budget deficit as key issues to his campaign.
In response, the state Democratic Party said Ehrlich raised state spending more than any other governor in recent history and is too cozy with special interests.
“We’re glad Ehrlich has finally announced. Running against a big-spending politician turned special interest lobbyist should provide a good contrast with the tough leadership and real progress achieved by the O’Malley/Brown administration,” said O’Malley’s campaign manager, Tom Russell.
The latest campaign finance report showed O’Malley with about $5 million in the bank. Ehrlich, who has not been actively fundraising, had $142,000 cash on balance.
Ehrlich has kept up his public profile since losing the last election by hosting a weekly radio show in Baltimore with his wife, Kendel. He works at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice in Baltimore.
Ehrlich has not announced who will be his running mate for lieutenant governor.
