Republican Larry Hogan beats Democrat Anthony Brown in Md. governor’s race
Republican Larry Hogan wins Md. governor’s race in stunning upset
(35 minutes later)
Republican businessman Larry Hogan scored a stunning upset in heavily Democratic Maryland on Tuesday, winning the governor’s race against Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) by promising to roll back tax increases and chart a new direction for the state.
Republican businessman Larry Hogan pulled off a stunning upset in heavily Democratic Maryland on Tuesday, winning the governor’s race against Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown by promising to roll back tax increases and chart a new direction for the state.
Hogan’s victory means Annapolis will return to divided government for the first time since 2006. It remains to be seen how much Hogan will be able to accomplish with a Democratic-controlled legislature, but his victory sent a message that Marylanders had grown weary of the policies of Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) after eight years.
Shortly after midnight, Brown conceded a race that he lost despite the strong support of the state’s Democratic establishment and visits to Maryland in the closing weeks of the campaign by President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Hogan, the owner of an Anne Arundel County real-estate business, sought to turn the race into a referendum on O’Malley’s tax hikes, arguing that electing Brown would be tantamount to giving O’Malley a third term. Citing his private-sector negotiating skills, Hogan has pledged to do more to work with Democratic legislative leaders than the state’s last GOP governor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who had an acrimonious four years in Annapolis.
Hogan’s victory — a repudiation of the eight-year tenure of Gov. Martin O’Malley — means Annapolis will return to divided government for the first time since 2006. It remains to be seen how much Hogan will be able to accomplish with a Democratic-controlled legislature. But his victory sent a message that Marylanders had grown weary of the tax hikes enacted under O’Malley, which Hogan harped on throughout the campaign.
While Hogan made tax cuts the rallying cry of his campaign, he offered few specifics about which taxes he will cut and by how much.
“Wow, what a historic night in Maryland,” Hogan said to a screaming crowd at his victory party in Annapolis. “They said it couldn’t be done here in Maryland. But together, we did it.”
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.
Hogan said he received “a very gracious call” from Brown, and he asked his supporters to give a round of applause to the lieutenant governor and O’Malley. Instead, they chanted “Larry! Larry! Larry!” Hogan also said he received a phone call from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who visited Maryland four times on his behalf.
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, the owner of an Anne Arundel County real estate business, had argued that electing Brown would be tantamount to giving O’Malley a third term. Saying he has private-sector negotiating skills, Hogan has pledged to do more to work with Democratic legislative leaders than the state’s previous GOP governor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who had an acrimonious four years in Annapolis.
He was considered a strong favorite to win the race when the general election camapign began. But despite heavy campaigning from President Obama, the first lady and Hillary Rodham Clinton, his bid to become the first African American governorof Maryland did not succeed.
With more than 90 percent of precincts reporting, Brown was winning handily in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and he was well ahead in the city of Baltimore. But Hogan led everywhere else, including in the Baltimore suburbs. That was the region that in 2002 paved the way to victory for Ehrlich, who hired Hogan as a member of his Cabinet.
“Tonight we fell short of our goal,” said Brown, the son of a Jamaican father and Swiss mother. He would have been Maryland’s first lieutenant governor to ascend to the state’s top job, breaking a decades-long curse.
“Tonight, we fell short of our campaign goals,” Brown told supporters at what turned out to be a subdued gathering at the University of Maryland at College Park. “It was a tough campaign. But it was tough because there’s a lot of a lot at stake, a lot worth fighting for.”
Hogan sought to turn the race into a referendum on the tax increases passed during the eight-year tenure of Brown’s boss, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D).
Brown, the son of a Jamaican father and a Swiss mother, was attempting to become the first African American governor of Maryland and only the third elected anywhere in the nation. He would also have been Maryland’s first lieutenant governor to ascend to the state’s top job.
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.
Instead, he faced some of the same difficulties as other deputies who have sought a promotion from voters. After spending eight years in the shadows, he struggled to distinguish himself from O’Malley and provide a rationale for his election. Much of Brown’s campaign focused on trying to convince voters that Hogan has a “dangerous” agenda, particularly on social issues.
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.
Hogan was able to attract enough Democratic votes to prevail in a state where Republicans are outnumbered more than 2-to-1 in party registration. And he did so despite being outspent by Brown. Hogan is the first candidate elected governor after opting into the state’s public financing system, which limited direct spending by his campaign to about $2.6 million during the general election — about half of what Brown raised.
“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.”
Both campaigns benefited from millions in spending by the state parties and partisan groups working to elect governors nationwide. In an appearance at a rally Sunday night in Baltimore, Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, predicted that Hogan would would pull off the biggest upset in the country Tuesday.
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.
Many voters interviewed at the polls seemed to be enduring, rather than enjoying, the process, often showing more interest in defeating one of the nominees than in helping the other to victory.
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.
Brown supporters, in many cases, expressed satisfaction with O’Malley, while supporters of Hogan were harshly critical, saying they want a different direction for the state.
“I’d like to see a Republican for this state,” Ingram said. “The mood of the nation is fed up.”
“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 Maria De La Cruz Magowan, a 49-year-old economist from Bethesda.
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.
At a Rockville polling place, Larry Ingram, 73, a businessman and registered independent, said Maryland’s taxes are too high, that the state should have a better standard of living and that he doesn’t want to see businesses leave the state. He voted for Hogan. “I’d like to see a Republican for this state,” he said. “The mood of the nation is fed up.”
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.
Tanya Gary, 50, a magazine administrator who lives in Fort Washington, voted for Brown. “Republicans are not offering anything,” she said. “They just want to tear things down.”
Early returns show first-term Rep. John Delaney (D) of Maryland’s 6th District trailing Republican Daniel Bongino, a former Secret Service agent. In Maryland’s 8th District, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) was leading Republican Dave Wallace, a small business owner.
Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) defeated Republican Jeffrey N. Pritzker, a Towson lawyer, in the race for attorney general. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) defeated Republican challenger William H. Campbell, a former chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Coast Guard and Amtrak.
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.
Seven of Maryland’s eight congressional incumbents won their bids for another term: Republican Andy Harris and Democrats Chris Van Hollen, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, Steny H. Hoyer and Elijah E. Cummings.
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.
With most precincts reporting in the 6th District, first-term Rep. John Delaney (D) was neck-and-neck with Republican Daniel Bongino, a former Secret Service agent.
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.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) won their bids to secure another term. Every seat in the state Senate and House of Delegates was also up for election.
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.
Voters passed a measure creating a “lockbox” for state transportation funding, but Prince George’s voters defeated a proposal to limit County Council members and the county executive to three terms in office rather than two.
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.
Hogan promised throughout his campaign to would roll back as many as possible of the tax increases enacted under O’Malley — 40 by his count.
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.
In Baltimore County, Jessica Baldwin, 27, said she voted for Hogan because it had 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.
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 campaign, 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.
Both campaigns went negative from the outset. On the day after his primary win, Hogan released a Web ad calling Brown “the most incompetent man in Maryland.” It was a reference, in part, to Brown’s role in the state’s botched rollout of the online health insurance marketplace established under the federal Affordable Care Act.
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, meanwhile, launched a barrage of television ads assailing Hogan’s “agenda” for Maryland, including his positions on guns. One provocative ad showed an assault rifle resting against a swing set, highlighting Hogan’s opposition to a year-old gun control law that banned 45 types of those weapons and included new fingerprinting and registration requirements to own a handgun.
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 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 its issues, based in part on a questionnaire that Hogan refused to make public.
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.
Several voters said they still didn’t know much about either of the major-party gubernatorial candidates or what they would do in office. A few complained about the barrage of negative television ads throughout the campaign.
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.
“The candidates went about it as if it was a slug fight,” said Reginald Payne, 52, a liquor store manager who lives in Prince George’s and voted for Brown.
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.
Diana Zhou, 32, a federal contract worker from Bowie, was going to vote for Hogan, but she 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.
“Hopefully the taxes will go down if Hogan’s elected,” said Lotfi, 49. “But they’ll definitely go up if Brown is.”
“I’m not a fan of either one,” Zhou 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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
