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| Maryland governor: Early voting tallies show Brown, Hogan in fairly tight race | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Maryland voters went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new governor — a choice that could result in the state gaining its first African American chief executive or sending a Republican governor to the Democrat-heavy statehouse. | |
| Despite the historic nature of the contest, many voters seemed to endure, rather than enjoy, the process, often showing more interest in defeating one of the nominees than in boosting the other to victory. | Despite the historic nature of the contest, many voters seemed to endure, rather than enjoy, the process, often showing more interest in defeating one of the nominees than in boosting the other to victory. |
| Early voting tallies indicated a fairly tight race, with Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, the Democratic nominee, slightly ahead of Republican Larry Hogan. Those totals reflect ballots cast between Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, which totaled about 8 percent of eligible voters. In past elections, more Democrats than Republicans have voted early. | |
| At the polls on Tuesday, those who voted for Brown often expressed satisfaction with the tenure of outgoing two-term Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). Supporters of Hogan were often harshly critical of O’Malley and said they want a different future for the state. | |
| “We should stay with the status quo,” said Tanya Gary, 50, a magazine administrator who lives in Fort Washington and voted for Brown. “Republicans are not offering anything. They just want to tear things down.” | “We should stay with the status quo,” said Tanya Gary, 50, a magazine administrator who lives in Fort Washington and voted for Brown. “Republicans are not offering anything. They just want to tear things down.” |
| But Maria De La Cruz Magowan, an economist who voted for Hogan, said change is needed. “I think we need somebody that will really focus on, ‘What can I do for Maryland to lower the unemployment rate, to raise the salaries?’” said Magowan, 49, of Bethesda. | But Maria De La Cruz Magowan, an economist who voted for Hogan, said change is needed. “I think we need somebody that will really focus on, ‘What can I do for Maryland to lower the unemployment rate, to raise the salaries?’” said Magowan, 49, of Bethesda. |
| The contest for governor was one of just a few competitive state or local races. In the contest for attorney general, Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) is strongly favored over Republican nominee Jeffrey N. Pritzker, a Towson lawyer. Frosh, chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, has touted his work in the legislature on gun control and other issues, while Pritzker has offered himself as a counterbalance to a state government dominated by Democrats. | The contest for governor was one of just a few competitive state or local races. In the contest for attorney general, Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) is strongly favored over Republican nominee Jeffrey N. Pritzker, a Towson lawyer. Frosh, chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, has touted his work in the legislature on gun control and other issues, while Pritzker has offered himself as a counterbalance to a state government dominated by Democrats. |
| Meanwhile, Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) is favored to win over Republican challenger William H. Campbell, a former chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Coast Guard and Amtrak. | |
| All eight Maryland congressional incumbents are expected to win reelection, and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) also are favored to secure another term. Every seat in the state Senate and House of Delegates is up for election. | All eight Maryland congressional incumbents are expected to win reelection, and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) also are favored to secure another term. Every seat in the state Senate and House of Delegates is up for election. |
| Voters are expected to pass a measure creating a “lockbox” for state transportation funding, while Prince George’s voters are deciding whether to limit officials there to three terms in office rather than two. | Voters are expected to pass a measure creating a “lockbox” for state transportation funding, while Prince George’s voters are deciding whether to limit officials there to three terms in office rather than two. |
| In a state with more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans, the gubernatorial race could hinge on turnout in Baltimore County, where Hogan has considerable support, and Prince George’s, where Brown lives and has his deepest base. | In a state with more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans, the gubernatorial race could hinge on turnout in Baltimore County, where Hogan has considerable support, and Prince George’s, where Brown lives and has his deepest base. |
| While no statewide turnout figures were available during the day, elections officials said turnout seemed light in many places. | While no statewide turnout figures were available during the day, elections officials said turnout seemed light in many places. |
| As the polls closed at 8 p.m., the parties began. Hogan and his supporters gathered at the Westin Annapolis hotel, along with a nine-piece band called Bobby and the Believers. One of Hogan’s campaign coordinators, Al Redmer Jr, welcomed the crowd by saying: “This has been a phenomenal campaign... and we’re going to see the benefits of that tonight.” Redmer then recited early voting counts in rural Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Frederick counties, all of which showed Hogan ahead by wide margins. | |
| Meanwhile, Brown set up camp at the Riggs Alumni Center at the University of Maryland, where guests were greeted by the music of Beyoncé and Chuck Brown blaring from the speakers. Cheers erupted as a local television station broadcast the early voting results that showed Brown ahead. | |
| U.S. Sen Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said in an interview that he was confident that Brown would be Maryland’s next governor — and that he’s not surprised the race has become close. | |
| “This is a competitive year,” Cardin said. “It’s tough all over the nation.” | |
| At polling precincts around the state, both Democrats and Republicans expressed frustration over taxes and anxiety about the economy. Some didn’t understand why schools in their neighborhoods are still struggling when Maryland is home to some of the highest-performing schools in the country. Others were concerned about guns. | At polling precincts around the state, both Democrats and Republicans expressed frustration over taxes and anxiety about the economy. Some didn’t understand why schools in their neighborhoods are still struggling when Maryland is home to some of the highest-performing schools in the country. Others were concerned about guns. |
| Under fire for tax hikes during O’Malley’s tenure, Brown has pledged repeatedly not to increase taxes any further. His pledge, however, did not appear to reach all voters. At Lutherville Elementary in Baltimore County, Jim Lotfi said that he isn’t sure that Hogan will be able to cut taxes — but he doesn’t trust Brown to not raise them. | Under fire for tax hikes during O’Malley’s tenure, Brown has pledged repeatedly not to increase taxes any further. His pledge, however, did not appear to reach all voters. At Lutherville Elementary in Baltimore County, Jim Lotfi said that he isn’t sure that Hogan will be able to cut taxes — but he doesn’t trust Brown to not raise them. |
| “Hopefully the taxes will go down if Hogan’s elected,” said Lotfi, 49. “But they’ll definitely go up if Brown is.” | “Hopefully the taxes will go down if Hogan’s elected,” said Lotfi, 49. “But they’ll definitely go up if Brown is.” |
| Camilla McArthur, 61, of Silver Spring, voted for Brown, but wants him to take criticism of the tax hikes to heart. “The Democrats need to know that even the faithful are tired of the taxes,” she said. | Camilla McArthur, 61, of Silver Spring, voted for Brown, but wants him to take criticism of the tax hikes to heart. “The Democrats need to know that even the faithful are tired of the taxes,” she said. |
| In Baltimore County, 27-year-old Jessica Baldwin said she voted for Hogan because she has seen it become increasingly difficult for her friends to find well-paying work. Meanwhile, she said, taxes have become too much. | In Baltimore County, 27-year-old Jessica Baldwin said she voted for Hogan because she has seen it become increasingly difficult for her friends to find well-paying work. Meanwhile, she said, taxes have become too much. |
| “There’s just this feeling that there’s always something else and you don’t see a return from it a lot of the time,” said Baldwin, who sells books and voted at Lutherville Elementary School. | “There’s just this feeling that there’s always something else and you don’t see a return from it a lot of the time,” said Baldwin, who sells books and voted at Lutherville Elementary School. |
| But frustration with taxes was not the only concern that voters brought to the polls. | But frustration with taxes was not the only concern that voters brought to the polls. |
| In Greenbelt, Jeffrey Harden, 54, said he wants to see major improvements in the Prince George’s school system. His 9-year-old son attends Robert Goddard French Immersion, one of the best schools in the state — and an exception in the county. | In Greenbelt, Jeffrey Harden, 54, said he wants to see major improvements in the Prince George’s school system. His 9-year-old son attends Robert Goddard French Immersion, one of the best schools in the state — and an exception in the county. |
| “I believe they’re lacking in so many ways, and that they need to put more emphasis on our kids,” said Harden, who works at the Medstar Hospital Center. “We’re finding that our children are behind” | “I believe they’re lacking in so many ways, and that they need to put more emphasis on our kids,” said Harden, who works at the Medstar Hospital Center. “We’re finding that our children are behind” |
| Gun regulations were at the top of the list for David Walton, a 69-year-old who lives in Dundalk and threatened to leave the state if gun owners were not given more rights. | Gun regulations were at the top of the list for David Walton, a 69-year-old who lives in Dundalk and threatened to leave the state if gun owners were not given more rights. |
| “I am planning my escape route,” Walton said. “As long as they’ve got a state here hell-bent on disobeying the Constitution, I’m not going to stick around to try and repair it. I’m moving to Tennessee, where there are low taxes and it’s firearm-friendly.” | “I am planning my escape route,” Walton said. “As long as they’ve got a state here hell-bent on disobeying the Constitution, I’m not going to stick around to try and repair it. I’m moving to Tennessee, where there are low taxes and it’s firearm-friendly.” |
| Brown has hammered Hogan for originally opposing Maryland’s year-old gun-control law, which bans 45 types of weapons and imposes registration requirements for handgun owners. Brown’s campaign aired a barrage of television ads claiming Hogan had a “dangerous” agenda for Maryland, including on guns. | Brown has hammered Hogan for originally opposing Maryland’s year-old gun-control law, which bans 45 types of weapons and imposes registration requirements for handgun owners. Brown’s campaign aired a barrage of television ads claiming Hogan had a “dangerous” agenda for Maryland, including on guns. |
| Hogan insisted that he had no plans to roll back the law. But the issue became harder to deflect when the National Rifle Association endorsed him late in the campaign and awarded him a grade of A-minus on their issues, based in part on a questionnaire that Hogan refused to make public. | Hogan insisted that he had no plans to roll back the law. But the issue became harder to deflect when the National Rifle Association endorsed him late in the campaign and awarded him a grade of A-minus on their issues, based in part on a questionnaire that Hogan refused to make public. |
| Several voters said they still didn’t know much about any of the candidates or what they would do in office, and a few complained about the barrage of negative television ads. | Several voters said they still didn’t know much about any of the candidates or what they would do in office, and a few complained about the barrage of negative television ads. |
| “The candidates went about it as if it was a slug fight,” said Reginald Payne, 52, the manager of a liquor store who lives in Prince George’s and voted for Brown. | “The candidates went about it as if it was a slug fight,” said Reginald Payne, 52, the manager of a liquor store who lives in Prince George’s and voted for Brown. |
| Diana Zhou, a 32-year-old federal contract worker who lives in Bowie, was going to vote for Hogan, but studied his Web site and did not think his action plan was comprehensive. She voted for Brown, although she was not completely sold on him either. | Diana Zhou, a 32-year-old federal contract worker who lives in Bowie, was going to vote for Hogan, but studied his Web site and did not think his action plan was comprehensive. She voted for Brown, although she was not completely sold on him either. |
| “I’m not a fan of either one,” Zhou said, “but looking at their Web sites, I think that Anthony Brown has a better plan.” | “I’m not a fan of either one,” Zhou said, “but looking at their Web sites, I think that Anthony Brown has a better plan.” |
| Anger about partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill also trickled down to the governor’s race. | Anger about partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill also trickled down to the governor’s race. |
| Theresa Garcia-Parks, a 50-year-old community volunteer in Montgomery County, is a registered Democrat. She said she became disenchanted with the party during the fumbled rollout of the national online health insurance marketplace and the federal government shutdown. | Theresa Garcia-Parks, a 50-year-old community volunteer in Montgomery County, is a registered Democrat. She said she became disenchanted with the party during the fumbled rollout of the national online health insurance marketplace and the federal government shutdown. |
| “It all kind of ties in,” she said of her decision to vote for Hogan. | “It all kind of ties in,” she said of her decision to vote for Hogan. |
| Ronald Cohen, a 77-year-old retired journalist who lives in Potomac, said that he usually votes for Democrats but would occasionally pick a Republican. But no longer, he said, because the “two-party system has been undercut by the Republicans” who refuse to compromise on anything. | Ronald Cohen, a 77-year-old retired journalist who lives in Potomac, said that he usually votes for Democrats but would occasionally pick a Republican. But no longer, he said, because the “two-party system has been undercut by the Republicans” who refuse to compromise on anything. |
| In addition to African American turnout, which is vital to Brown’s chances, key factors in the governor’s race include how many Democrats are motivated to vote in Montgomery, the state’s largest jurisdiction, and whether Hogan can appeal to blue-collar Democrats in Baltimore County the same way that the last Republican to win the governorship, Robert Ehrlich, did in 2002. | In addition to African American turnout, which is vital to Brown’s chances, key factors in the governor’s race include how many Democrats are motivated to vote in Montgomery, the state’s largest jurisdiction, and whether Hogan can appeal to blue-collar Democrats in Baltimore County the same way that the last Republican to win the governorship, Robert Ehrlich, did in 2002. |
| Hogan’s narrow focus on economic issues was designed to court disaffected Democrats and independent voters while maintaining the enthusiasm of a Republican base unaccustomed to capturing statewide offices. He steadfastly sought to avoid talking about social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, saying he considered those to be matters of settled law. | Hogan’s narrow focus on economic issues was designed to court disaffected Democrats and independent voters while maintaining the enthusiasm of a Republican base unaccustomed to capturing statewide offices. He steadfastly sought to avoid talking about social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, saying he considered those to be matters of settled law. |
| But Brown hyper-focused on those issues in debates and attack ads. Brown, meanwhile, promised to build on O’Malley’s accomplishments while maintaining some distance, as the governor’s popularity has plummeted in the past year. | But Brown hyper-focused on those issues in debates and attack ads. Brown, meanwhile, promised to build on O’Malley’s accomplishments while maintaining some distance, as the governor’s popularity has plummeted in the past year. |
| Brown also promised to create the nation’s best business climate — an area critics accused O’Malley of neglecting — and trumpeted plans to gradually expand pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds in Maryland, a measure Hogan criticized as a too-costly campaign gimmick. | Brown also promised to create the nation’s best business climate — an area critics accused O’Malley of neglecting — and trumpeted plans to gradually expand pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds in Maryland, a measure Hogan criticized as a too-costly campaign gimmick. |
| Miles Parks, Jonathan Hunter, Kathryn Le Dain, Arelis R. Hernández, Ian Shapira, Donna St. George, Ovetta Wiggins, Alexis Williams and Katherine Shaver contributed to this report. | Miles Parks, Jonathan Hunter, Kathryn Le Dain, Arelis R. Hernández, Ian Shapira, Donna St. George, Ovetta Wiggins, Alexis Williams and Katherine Shaver contributed to this report. |