Who Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich hired and fired during his administration was, at times during the past four years, of great interest to Maryland’s Democrats.
But who Democratic Gov.-elect and Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley wants on his staff is still largely unknown a week after he announced he was starting to assemble his transition team.
“We’re still fairly early in the transition process,” O’Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said Wednesday. “But we are committed to a professional and competent state government regardless of the party.”
A spokeswoman for the Maryland Republican Party said Ehrlich had assembled one of the most bi-partisan administrations in the state’s history and said the GOP is bracing for summary firings.
“Martin O’Malley, we are sure, is aware that nonpartisan career employees cannot be fired because of their political leanings,” said Audra Miller.
Abbruzzese said some changes will be made right away for cabinet positions.
O’Malley also will make good on his campaign promises to remove the state’s public service commission, Abbruzzese said, and implement StateStat to track the performance and accountability of Maryland agencies and departments.
O’Malley named lieutenant governor-elect Del. Anthony Brown to head the transition efforts between now and January. The incoming administration has also set up a Web site, www.marylandtransition.com, to help solicit and recruit staff regardless of party, Abbruzzese said.
“There will be changes,” Abbruzzese said. “But the extent of the changes I can’t say.”
Miller said she doesn’t have high hopes for the process.
“We’re sure the incoming administration would loathe to be seen as hypocritical on the matter of political firings,” Miller said.
