Op-Ed: Electing a New Governor for Maryland

Every four years, Maryland elects a new governor and has been doing so since 1777 when Thomas Johnson became the first governor of the state.

This fall the race for Governor pits the current Lt. Governor, now a part of the departing O’Malley administration, against a businessman who has never held any statewide public office. However, there appear to be several issues abounding that may make the race for governor interesting. It is a well-known fact in Maryland that a Republican, even a moderate one, will have an uphill challenge to get elected. The registration figures and demographics alone are real mountains to climb.

Maryland now faces problems, including a projected $40 million shortfall in revenues. Maryland citizens and businesses cannot incur any additional tax burdens to help solve this problem. The candidates for governor and the state legislature must understand “enough is enough.” Not an easy task to get across to a predominately Democratic legislation with vast majorities from metropolitan areas.

Economic issues should be the most seriously debated issues rather than emotional issues such as gun control and birth control. Certainly the campaign of candidate Anthony Brown would prefer to highlight such issues that, in reality, do not affect all Marylanders. Enough statewide legislation currently on the books has been initiated and promulgated by a Democratic governor and a liberal state legislature. Special interests in these areas have been well served in Annapolis.

Emotional and social issues, while important are, in 2014, as urgent and significant as those of taxes, spending, job creation, and infrastructure improvement. The retention of both jobs and residents are real issues as Marylanders vote this fall. The total dominance by party in any office is dangerous for democracy and good government. Maryland voters need to understand this basic tenet of American government.

Mr. Hogan, the Republican challenger to Mr. Brown, has advanced some interesting and perhaps sound ideas on key issues. From now until Election Day, in all ways possible, he needs to more fully explain the details of these positions. Having personally heard Mr. Hogan speak, it is obvious that clarification of his positions is critical. This factor could spell the difference between victory and defeat. There seems to be a rumbling dissatisfaction among many Maryland voters this year to find new solutions to the problems the state faces.

Recently, well-known Maryland businessman James Perdue told the Maryland Chamber of Commerce that “the business and regulatory environment in Maryland is very troublesome and problematic” to the growth and expansion of the Maryland economy. This factual statement has been proven many times by statistics, reports and legislative debate. For example, Somerset County, the poorest county in the state and the largest producer of broiler chickens, can only be more negatively affected by onerous state regulations and requirements. A fact that may even more negatively affect employment in this already economically depressed jurisdiction.

By clearly defining his plans for Maryland’s growth, Mr. Hogan can certainly add much to the election debate and enhance his chances of being elected the next governor of Maryland.