In the cold light of a gray day, the fight went out of Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele when they looked at the unofficial vote totals and realized there was no way they were going to win.
Wednesday morning, the governor called Baltimore Mayor Martin O?Malley to concede, and Steele did the same to Rep. Ben Cardin, his Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race.
With more than 150,000 absentee ballots to count in addition to 1.5 million votes cast Tuesday, O?Malley was ahead of Ehrlich 53 percent to 47 percent, and Cardin led Steele 55 percent to 44 percent.
“We look forward to a very smooth transition,” Ehrlich told reporters after talking to the mayor. The governor appointed his chief of staff, James “Chip” DiPaula, to handle the coordination with the governor-elect. Ehrlich stood in front of Government House with his wife, their two sons and dozens of his executive staff in attendance. The moisture on some of their faces was not just from the heavy drizzle that was falling.
“I have had the ride of my life,” said Ehrlich, who will turn 49 this month. The boy from working-class Arbutus began his charmed political career 20 years ago in northern Baltimore County, defeating an incumbent Republican delegate in the primary by 93 votes. He won 15 straight elections until Tuesday.
“We have had a wonderful, wonderful experience in this house,” Ehrlich said, thanking his staff and the people of Maryland for the privilege of serving them. He was resigned and seemed unresentful about his loss.
“The state of Maryland will live,” he said, and he?s leaving the state in very good shape for O?Malley. “The Republic will live another day.”
An hour later, Steele spoke to reporters in the Governor?s Reception Room, getting a standing ovation from staff and campaign workers, many of whom were openly crying.
“What an incredible, incredible gift I have received from the people,” to be able to serve as lieutenant governor, Steele said, thanking “my friend, my partner, my governor.”
“It?s been a blessing and opportunity to make a difference.”
Steele said he congratulated Cardin, and urged him, “don?t forget the poor, those who are trying to do their best.”
“For me the glass is always half full, and I?m just trying to find a way to fill it up to the top,” Steele said.
Part of the Baltimore Examiner’s 2006 election coverage
