Maryland Attorney General candidate Doug Gansler got the backing of two Prince George?s County area leaders Wednesday that could give him an important edge with black voters in the upcoming primary and general elections.
Prince George?s County Executive Jack Johnson and Maryland Democratic Rep. Al Wynn, whose district includes parts of Prince George?s and Montgomery counties, said during their endorsement Wednesday they believed Gansler had the experience and commitment needed for the job. Gansler has been Montgomery County?s State?s Attorney since 1999.
“I have known Doug since my days as state?s attorney for Prince George?s County,” Johnson said. “Doug is a tough but fair prosecutor. He also is a firm believer that the constitutional rights of individuals should not be abridged.”
Prince George?s, in which the majority of residents are black, is one of the state?s largest Democratic jurisdictions and one of nation?s wealthiest black communities. The endorsement could mean a huge boost for Gansler, who is facing a Sept. 12 primary challenge from Montgomery County Council member Tom Perez and Baltimore lawyer Stuart Simms. Polls have indicated there is no clear front-runner in the race.
The primary winner will face Republican Frederick County State?s Attorney Scott Rolle in the November general election.
Simms, a former state?s attorney from Baltimore, is the only black candidate in the race. A spokesman for the Simms campaign did not return a phone message left for this news story.
Gansler campaign spokesman Mike Morrill said Wednesday?s endorsements were not about race, but added that he thought it would be “something voters will take a look at.”
“They endorsed not because of race but because of qualification and who they thought would do the best job and that?s a testament to all three men,” Morrill said.
