HOGAN VICTORIOUS IN GOVERNOR’S RACE

Republican Larry Hogan was elected Governor of Maryland in a stunning victory over Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. Governor-Elect Hogan’s message of reducing taxes and creating a positive economic climate in Maryland resonated with the Maryland voters. Lt. Governor-Elect Boyd Rutherford will also be a welcome addition to the new administration. ABC worked with Mr. Rutherford during his time as Secretary of the Department of General Services under Governor Ehrlich and was very receptive to ABC and our issues. Mr. Hogan understands and supports ABC’s issues of free and open competition and we expect his agenda to reflect this support.

Mr. Hogan understands the need to work with both parties if he is going to accomplish his agenda and get it through the still democratically controlled Legislature. He said he will be a “governor for all Marylanders” in his victory speech the day after the elections. To demonstrate his commitment to a bi-partisan administration, he named James Brady as one of the co-chairs of his transition team along with Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Brady served as the economic development chief under former Governor Parris Glendening.

In addition to the election of Larry Hogan, there were also changes in the Maryland General Assembly. Longtime democrats were defeated by up and coming republicans. Such notables as Delegate Norm Conway from the Eastern Shore, Senator Roy Dyson from southern Maryland and Delegate Kevin Kelly from western Maryland will not be returning to Annapolis. The republicans had a net gain of nine new members.

BOWSER WINS MAYOR’S RACE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilwoman Muriel Bowser easily won the Mayor’s race by defeating current Councilman David Catania and former Councilwoman Carol Schwartz. ABC of Metro Washington endorsed and supported Mayor-Elect Bowser and looks forward to working with her over the next four years. During the interview process, Mayor-Elect Bowser shared our concerns over the ineffectiveness of the current first source law and told ABC of Metro Washington she was willing to take a hard look at the program and come up with a program that actually puts DC residents to work.