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| Republican Hogan has commanding lead over Brown in Md. governor’s race | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Republican businessman Larry Hogan had a commanding lead in heavily Democratic Maryland Tuesday night, and seemed poised to pull off a stunning upset over Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown. | |
| Just before midnight, Hogan was ahead by about 100,000 votes, according to results from nearly 90 percent of precincts. Many of the outstanding votes were in Democrat-friendly jurisdictions, including Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the city of Baltimore. But it seemed unlikely that those votes would be enough to push Brown ahead. | |
| Brown was winning in Montgomery and Prince George’s, and was well ahead in 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. | |
| 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. |
| Boosters of both campaigns initially 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. | |
| As the night wore on, guests at Brown’s party grew quiet and began to trickle away even before the candidate made an appearance. | |
| 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “I’d like to see a Republican for this state,” Ingram said. “The mood of the nation is fed up.” | “I’d like to see a Republican for this state,” Ingram said. “The mood of the nation is fed up.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| Six of Maryland’s eight congressional incumbents won their bids for another term: Republican Andy Harris and Democrats Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Donna Edwards, Steny Hoyer and Cummings. | |
| Early returns show Rep. John Delaney (D) in Maryland’s 6th District in a tight race with Republican Daniel Bongino, a former Secret Service agent. Maryland’s 8th District is also too close to call, with early returns showing Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) in a tight race with Republican Dave Wallace, a small business owner. | |
| Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) won their bids for another term. Every seat in the state Senate and House of Delegates was also up for election. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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 ... compared not only to other states but other countries.” | “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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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. | “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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |