Maryland gubernatorial election, 2006

From dKosopedia

Category: 2006 Maryland elections

1 Gubernatorial candidates
2 General election results
3 Previous Elections
4 MD Pres Results
5 Narrative
6 External links
7 Related Links

Gubernatorial candidates

Robert Ehrlich (R) incumbent. (gov ofc) (cw)
Martin O'Malley (Dem - Mayor of Baltimore) (cw)
Ed Boyd (Green) (cw)
Chris Driscoll (Populist) (cw)

General election results

O'Malley              850,919 	54%
Ehrlich (incumbent)   722,196 	45%
Boyd                   13,951 	 1%
Driscoll                3,116 	 0%

Previous Elections

2002: 52%/48 over Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (D)

MD Pres Results

2004: Kerry 56 / Bush 43
2000: Gore 57 / Bush 40

Narrative

Maryland is another of the heavily blue states with a Republican governor, NY, MA, CA, and VT being some of the others. In those states however, the candidates each won with a decisive message, and a shrewdly run campaign. Ehrlich on the other hand, won simply on the ineptitude of his opponent, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. In 2002, Townsend ran one of the worst campaigns in state history, by betting completely on the turnout of Baltimore and the D.C. surrounding area. Even with this self-destructive policy, Ehrlich won with only 52% of the vote in a year in which republicans ran the table. Since his inauguration, Ehrlich has been plagued with problems. The democratic legislature blocked his plan to legalize slot-machines at race tracks, the centerpiece of Ehrlich's campaign. He also faces a budget gap of $550 million and no lack of prospective challengers. The top contender is Baltimore Mayor, Martin O'Malley. O'Malley is probably the dems' best chance. Even Ehrlich has admitted he would not have won had O'Malley thrown his hat into the ring in 2002. O'Malley would be able to bring back the Baltimore suburbs into the democrats’ column and make a more effective play upstate as well as increase black turnout in his native city.

External links

Mosk, Matthew. Ehrlich Adviser Details Firings Washington Post, August 9, 2006.
Maryland Governor: O'Malley Holding on to Lead -- O'Malley (D) 50%, Ehrlich (R) 43% Rasmussen Reports, August 19, 2006.