Maryland gubernatorial election, 2006
Encyclopedia
The Maryland gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. It was a race for the Governor
and Lieutenant Governor
of Maryland
. The winning candidates -- Martin O'Malley
and Anthony G. Brown
, who defeated the incumbent Gov. Robert Ehrlich
and running mate Kristen Cox
-- were elected to serve from 2007 to 2011.
, the Mayor of Baltimore
, and Doug Duncan
, the Montgomery County
Executive, emerged as the two Democratic candidates for Governor in late 2005. Early polling indicated that O'Malley would have the upper edge in both the Democratic primary and the general election, with a solid lead over Duncan in the primary and a several point lead over Ehrlich in the general.
As the gubernatorial campaign intensified, Doug Duncan dropped out of the race, citing the fact that he had been diagnosed with clinical depression. In the same announcement, Duncan threw his support behind O’Malley and declined to seek another office in the fall. O'Malley then became the presumed Democratic nominee for Governor, as no other candidate opposed him in the primary election.
Mayor O'Malley selected Anthony G. Brown
, a black State Delegate
from Prince George's County
and a veteran of the Iraq War, as his running mate.
Michael Steele opted to run for Senate instead of seeking a second term on Ehrlich’s gubernatorial ticket, Ehrlich named Maryland Secretary of Disabilities Kristen Cox
, who was blind, as his running mate and was renominated by his party for a second term.
, incumbent Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich
ran for a second term as Governor, opposed by the Democratic nominee, Martin O'Malley
, the Mayor of Baltimore
. Both candidates emerged from uncontested primary elections and a contentious election season began.
Early in the campaign, Governor Ehrlich boasted decent approval ratings from Maryland
citizens, with a Gonzalez Research poll taken during October of 2005 showing him with a 49% approval rating. and a Baltimore Sun poll from November of 2005 giving the Governor a 50% approval and a 33% disapproval. However, the unpopularity of the national Republican Party and President George W. Bush
dragged Ehrlich’s re-election chances down.
Ehrlich launched attack ads that hit O'Malley on crime in Baltimore under his tenure as Mayor, calling the murder rate in Baltimore "awful" and "an embarrassment to the state of Maryland." O'Malley countered with one television ad that featured testimonials from local community leaders, Howard County
Executive James N. Robey
, Baltimore County Executive
James T. Smith, Jr.
and another ad that attacked Ehrlich for breaking his promise to end parole for violent criminals.
The Washington Post and the Washington Times both endorsed Governor Ehrlich in his bid for re-election, with the Times praising Ehrlich’s "brand of moderate conservatism that offers a refreshing contrast" to the state's historically Democratic leanings and the Post called him "a generally proficient, pragmatic governor" and praised him for "successes on transportation, the environment and education."
In turn, the Baltimore Sun gave O'Malley a shining endorsement, declaring that "the progress under the mayor’s tenure is clear and irrefutable," and that he addressed "rising crime, failing schools and shrinking economic prospects. " The Mayor also called upon the praise given to him by TIME Magazine when they named him one of the country's "Top 5 Big City Mayors."
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
and Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
The Lieutenant Governor of Maryland is the second highest ranking official in the executive branch of the state government of Maryland in the United States. He or she is elected on the same ticket as the Governor of Maryland and must meet the same qualifications.The current Lieutenant Governor is...
of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The winning candidates -- Martin O'Malley
Martin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
and Anthony G. Brown
Anthony G. Brown
Anthony G. Brown is a Democratic Party politician from the State of Maryland and is the current Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. He was elected as Maryland’s eighth Lieutenant Governor in 2006 on a ticket with Governor Martin O'Malley. Both were reelected in 2010. He is the second African...
, who defeated the incumbent Gov. Robert Ehrlich
Robert Ehrlich
Robert Leroy "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 60th Governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. A Republican, he became governor after defeating Democratic opponent Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a member of the Kennedy family, 51% to 48% in the 2002 elections...
and running mate Kristen Cox
Kristen Cox
Kristen Cox is a blind American politician and current Executive Director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Previously Cox served as Maryland Secretary of Disabilities. Kris Cox was the running mate of Maryland Governor Robert L...
-- were elected to serve from 2007 to 2011.
Campaign
Martin O'MalleyMartin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
, the Mayor of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, and Doug Duncan
Doug Duncan
Douglas M. Duncan is a Democratic politician from Maryland who served as County Executive of Montgomery County from 1994 to 2006. At three terms, Duncan held the office longer than any other County Executive in Montgomery County's history...
, the Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
Executive, emerged as the two Democratic candidates for Governor in late 2005. Early polling indicated that O'Malley would have the upper edge in both the Democratic primary and the general election, with a solid lead over Duncan in the primary and a several point lead over Ehrlich in the general.
As the gubernatorial campaign intensified, Doug Duncan dropped out of the race, citing the fact that he had been diagnosed with clinical depression. In the same announcement, Duncan threw his support behind O’Malley and declined to seek another office in the fall. O'Malley then became the presumed Democratic nominee for Governor, as no other candidate opposed him in the primary election.
Mayor O'Malley selected Anthony G. Brown
Anthony G. Brown
Anthony G. Brown is a Democratic Party politician from the State of Maryland and is the current Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. He was elected as Maryland’s eighth Lieutenant Governor in 2006 on a ticket with Governor Martin O'Malley. Both were reelected in 2010. He is the second African...
, a black State Delegate
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
from Prince George's County
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
and a veteran of the Iraq War, as his running mate.
Results
Campaign
Governor Ehrlich opted to seek a second term as Governor, and did not face any opposition at any point in the Republican primary. When Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant Governor of Maryland
The Lieutenant Governor of Maryland is the second highest ranking official in the executive branch of the state government of Maryland in the United States. He or she is elected on the same ticket as the Governor of Maryland and must meet the same qualifications.The current Lieutenant Governor is...
Michael Steele opted to run for Senate instead of seeking a second term on Ehrlich’s gubernatorial ticket, Ehrlich named Maryland Secretary of Disabilities Kristen Cox
Kristen Cox
Kristen Cox is a blind American politician and current Executive Director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Previously Cox served as Maryland Secretary of Disabilities. Kris Cox was the running mate of Maryland Governor Robert L...
, who was blind, as his running mate and was renominated by his party for a second term.
Results
Candidates
- Martin O'MalleyMartin O'MalleyMartin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
, Mayor of BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
(D) - Bob EhrlichRobert EhrlichRobert Leroy "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 60th Governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. A Republican, he became governor after defeating Democratic opponent Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a member of the Kennedy family, 51% to 48% in the 2002 elections...
, incumbent Governor of MarylandGovernor of MarylandThe Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
(R) - Ed Boyd, temporary employment agency recruiter (G)
- Christopher A. Driscoll (P)
Campaign
Elected to his first term in 2002Maryland gubernatorial election, 2002
-Democratic Party:*Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland*Robert Fustero, perennial candidate-Republican Party:*Bob Ehrlich, United States Representative from Maryland's 2nd congressional district*James J. Sheridan...
, incumbent Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich
Robert Ehrlich
Robert Leroy "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 60th Governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. A Republican, he became governor after defeating Democratic opponent Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a member of the Kennedy family, 51% to 48% in the 2002 elections...
ran for a second term as Governor, opposed by the Democratic nominee, Martin O'Malley
Martin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
, the Mayor of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. Both candidates emerged from uncontested primary elections and a contentious election season began.
Early in the campaign, Governor Ehrlich boasted decent approval ratings from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
citizens, with a Gonzalez Research poll taken during October of 2005 showing him with a 49% approval rating. and a Baltimore Sun poll from November of 2005 giving the Governor a 50% approval and a 33% disapproval. However, the unpopularity of the national Republican Party and President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
dragged Ehrlich’s re-election chances down.
Ehrlich launched attack ads that hit O'Malley on crime in Baltimore under his tenure as Mayor, calling the murder rate in Baltimore "awful" and "an embarrassment to the state of Maryland." O'Malley countered with one television ad that featured testimonials from local community leaders, Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Executive James N. Robey
James N. Robey
-Background:Robey was born in Baltimore, and raised in the small Howard County mill town of Daniels, once located on the banks of the Patapsco River.-Education:...
, Baltimore County Executive
Baltimore County Executive
The Baltimore County Executive is the highest elected official representing the government of Baltimore County, Maryland. The post was established with the implementation of the Home Rule Charter for Baltimore County on December 6, 1956...
James T. Smith, Jr.
James T. Smith, Jr.
James T. Smith Jr. is the former County Executive of Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. Smith was elected in 2002 as a Democrat and ended his 8 year tenure on December 6, 2010. His successor is former county councilman Kevin B...
and another ad that attacked Ehrlich for breaking his promise to end parole for violent criminals.
The Washington Post and the Washington Times both endorsed Governor Ehrlich in his bid for re-election, with the Times praising Ehrlich’s "brand of moderate conservatism that offers a refreshing contrast" to the state's historically Democratic leanings and the Post called him "a generally proficient, pragmatic governor" and praised him for "successes on transportation, the environment and education."
In turn, the Baltimore Sun gave O'Malley a shining endorsement, declaring that "the progress under the mayor’s tenure is clear and irrefutable," and that he addressed "rising crime, failing schools and shrinking economic prospects. " The Mayor also called upon the praise given to him by TIME Magazine when they named him one of the country's "Top 5 Big City Mayors."
Polling
| Source | Date | O'Malley (D) | Ehrlich (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | November 5, 2006 | 50% | 47% |
| Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc. | November 1, 2006 | 47% | 46% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | October 31, 2006 | 49.3% | 43.9% |
| Public Opinion Strategies | October 31, 2006 | 46% | 45% |
| Rasmussen | October 30, 2006 | 50% | 47% |
| Washington Post | October 29, 2006 | 55% | 45% |
| Rasmussen | October 17, 2006 | 53% | 45% |
| USA TODAY/Gallup | October 6, 2006 | 53% | 41% |
| Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc. | September 24, 2006 | 50% | 44% |
| Survey USA | September 20, 2006 | 51% | 44% |
| Rasmussen | September 20, 2006 | 49% | 42% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | September 11, 2006 | 52.5% | 39.6% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | August 28, 2006 | 52.0% | 42.2% |
| Rasmussen | August 18, 2006 | 50% | 43% |
| Public Opinion Strategies | August 14, 2006 | 41% | 41% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | July 24, 2006 | 51.3% | 42.2% |
| Rasmussen | July 17, 2006 | 49% | 42% |
| Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc. | July 16, 2006 | 46% | 38% |
| The Washington Post | June 25, 2006 | 51% | 40% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | June 21, 2006 | 53.1% | 39.2% |
| Opinion Works | April 27, 2006 | 46% | 37% |
| Rasmussen | April 21, 2006 | 51% | 42% |
| Gonzales Research | April 18, 2006 | 46% | 41% |
| Rasmussen | January 13, 2006 | 42% | 47% |
| Wall Street Journal/Zogby | January 13, 2006 | 53% | 40% |
| Rasmussen | November 22, 2005 | 46% | 40% |
| Baltimore Sun | November 6, 2005 | 48% | 33% |
| Baltimore Sun | October 25, 2005 | 48% | 42% |
| Rasmussen | July 18, 2005 | 41% | 46% |
| Baltimore Sun | April 17, 2005 | 45% | 39% |
| Baltimore Sun | January 2005 | 40% | 40% |