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Maryland governor: Early voting tallies show Brown, Hogan in fairly tight race Maryland governor: Near midnight, Brown, Hogan race still too close to call
(about 1 hour 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. The race for Maryland governor is still too close to call, with Republican businessman Larry Hogan mounting a fierce challenge to Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown in heavily Democratic Maryland.
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. As of 11:15 p.m., Hogan was ahead, according to results from more than three-quarters of precincts. But many of the outstanding votes were in Brown-friendly jurisdictions, including Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the city of Baltimore. That left supporters of both candidates frantically hitting refresh on their mobile phone browsers and trying to decipher the information trickling out.
As results from Maryland’s nearly 2,000 precincts trickled in, supporters of Democrat Anthony G. Brown and Republican Larry Hogan frantically hit refresh on their browsers and tried to decipher the information. Each candidate had reason for optimism — and reason for concern.
Each had reason for optimism — and reason for concern. In partial returns, Brown was winning handily in Montgomery and Prince George’s, and was well ahead in Howard County and the city of Baltimore. But Hogan was leading everywhere else, including in the Baltimore suburbs. That was the region that propelled Maryland’s last Republican governor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., to victory in 2002.
With more than third of precincts showing results at about 10 p.m., Hogan was leading Brown, although most of those precincts were in rural, more conservative areas.
Statewide tallies from Maryland’s pre-Election Day early voting period showed Brown with a lead over Hogan. In past elections, however, a higher percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted early. About 8 percent of eligible voters in the state cast early ballots this year.Statewide tallies from Maryland’s pre-Election Day early voting period showed Brown with a lead over Hogan. In past elections, however, a higher percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted early. About 8 percent of eligible voters in the state cast early ballots this year.
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. Boosters of both campaigns expressed optimism at election night parties, though Hogan had the more boisterous gathering — at one point, guests danced to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” clutching iPhones in one hand and martini glasses in the other. Hogan has sought to turn this race into a referendum on the tax increases passed during the eight-year tenure of Brown’s boss, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D).
At Brown’s event at the University of Maryland in College Park, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said he is optimistic that Brown will win.
“I expected it to be tight,” Cummings said. “At the end of the day, a win is a win, whether it’s three points or one.”
Many voters interviewed at the polls on Tuesday seemed to be enduring, rather than enjoying, the process of picking Maryland’s next governor, often showing more interest in defeating one of the nominees than in boosting the other to victory.
Those who voted for Brown in many cases expressed satisfaction with O’Malley, the outgoing governor. Supporters of Hogan, in contrast, 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. At a Rockville precinct, Larry Ingram, a 73-year-old businessman and registered independent, said Maryland’s taxes are too high, people should be able to enjoy a better standard of living and he doesn’t want to see businesses leave the state. That’s why he voted for Hogan, owner of an Anne Arundel County real-estate firm.
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. “I’d like to see a Republican for this state,” Ingram said. “The mood of the nation is fed up.”
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. In the contest for attorney general, Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery)beat Republican nominee Jeffrey N. Pritzker, a Towson lawyer. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) won 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.
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. Six of Maryland’s eight congressional incumbents won their bids for another term, while the other two — who also are favored — were in close contests according to early returns. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) had strong leads in their bids to secure another term. Every seat in the state Senate and House of Delegates was also up for election.
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. Voters were expected to pass a measure creating a “lockbox” for state transportation funding, but Prince George’s voters appeared to be voting down a proposal to limit County Council members and the county executive to three terms in office rather than two.
While no statewide turnout figures were available during the day, elections officials said turnout seemed light in many places. Brown, the son of a Jamaican father and Swiss mother, was attempting to become the first African American governor of Maryland and only the third elected nationwide. He would also be Maryland’s first lieutenant governor to ascend to the state’s top job.
As the polls closed at 8 p.m., the parties began. Hogan and his supporters gathered at the Westin Annapolis hotel. 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. He promised to build on the successes of the O’Malley years, including gains in education, and gradually expand pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds. Some of his other pledges echoed those made by Hogan, including improving the business climate and providing tax relief to the middle class and small businesses.
As a nine-piece band called Bobby and the Believers played “Brick House” by the Commodores, supporters rocked out and happily enjoyed beverages and a huge buffet featuring multiple cheese, meats and desserts. Crowds of people watched Fox News commentators on big screens dissecting races across the country, while simultaneously hitting refresh on their mobile phone browsers to get the latest updates in the governor’s race. Despite being heavily outspent by Brown, Hogan sought to attract enough Democratic votes to prevail in a state where Republicans are outnumbered more than 2-to-1 in party registration.
The scene was less raucous at the Brown party at the Riggs Alumni Center at the University of Maryland. Guests were greeted by the music of Beyoncé and Chuck Brown blaring from the speakers, and cheers erupted as a local television station broadcast the early voting results that showed Brown ahead. But the ballroom grew quiet as supporters huddled in small groups, reading vote tallies on their phones, and wondering yet-to-be-tallied votes from populous Montgomery and Prince George’s counties would offset Hogan’s apparent lead. Brown and his allies portrayed Hogan as “dangerous” on an array of social issues, including abortion, and on gun control. Hogan sought to avoid talking about social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, saying he considered those matters of settled law.
U.S. Sen Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said he was confident that Brown would be Maryland’s next governor — and not surprised the race has become close. Brown did not campaign heavily on racial themes. But in the closing weeks of the contest, Democrats reminded African American voters of the historic nature of his bid, sending mailers that included both painful and inspiring scenes from the civil rights era.
“This is a competitive year,” Cardin said. “It’s tough all over the nation.” Brown promised to build on the accomplishments of the O’Malley administration, but he also tried to maintain some distance from a governor whose popularity had plummeted as voters were reminded of tax increases enacted during his tenure. During Brown’s first debate with Hogan, the Democrat emphatically pledged not to raise taxes if elected.
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. Brown also pledged to create the nation’s best business climate — an area O’Malley has been accused of neglecting — and trumpeted plans to gradually expand pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds, an idea Hogan criticized as a costly campaign gimmick. Brown often highlighted his military service, including a 10-month stint helping to set up a government in Iraq.
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. Hogan was attempting to replicate a path blazed by Ehrlich in 2002, when he became the first Republican to win the governorship in Maryland in more than 30 years. Ehrlich won over a sizable chunk of disaffected Democrats and a healthy majority of independent voters.
Hogan’s narrow focus on economic issues — with promises of tax cuts and more jobs — was designed to court enough of those voters to win, while maintaining the enthusiasm of a Republican base unaccustomed to capturing statewide offices.
At polling precincts around the state, both Democrats and Republicans expressed frustration over taxes and anxiety about the economy. Hogan pledged to roll back as many as possible of the tax increases passed under O’Malley — 40 by his count.
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.”
In Baltimore County, Jessica Baldwin, 27, said she voted for Hogan because it has become increasingly difficult for her friends to find well-paying work. Taxes, she said, have become too much. “You don’t see a return from it a lot of the time,” 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.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.
“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 ... compared not only to other states but other countries.”
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. Hogan’s father, Lawrence J. Hogan Sr., is a former three-term U.S. congressman and former Prince George’s county executive, who ran for governor and lost.
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. “Dad, we’re finally going to get a Larry Hogan as governor of Maryland,” the younger Hogan told his father at a rally Sunday night.
“It all kind of ties in,” she said of her decision to vote for Hogan. Brown often cited his late father’s work as a physician serving low-income patients in New York state, saying that is what inspired him to get into public service. Roy H. Brown died in January.
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.
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.
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.