Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan dropped out of the governor’s race Thursday citing a yearlong struggle with clinical depression.
Duncan has served as Montgomery County’s top elected official since 1994. Despite running a tight Democratic primary race with Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, he always remained the underdog.
Duncan spoke with O’Malley on Thursday about his decision and offered support for his candidacy.
At an afternoon news conference in Rockville, Duncan said he first attributed the depression to “the stress of the campaign.”
“My family has a history with this disease and it has not always been easy,” the 50-year-old said. He called his choice “the right decision for me, for our family, for our state.”
Duncan entered the news conference with his wife, Barbara, a son, and running mate, Stu Simms, to a standing ovation from an audience made up of county officials and leaders. He did not answer questions.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich and O’Malley issued statements extending sympathy to Duncan and his family.
The announcement came just one day after the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce endorsed Duncan, naming as one of its reasons his support for construction of the county’s InterCounty Connector and the Purple Line Metro.
Chamber President Richard Parsons on Thursday called Duncan’s decision “disappointing” for Montgomery County businesses but said he has left a “very strong legacy.”
The Duncan campaign came under scrutiny in recent months because of the timing of $20,000 in contributions to his county executive campaign made in 1999 by companies with ties to the infamous former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The contributions were made around the same time the county approved the transfer of Col. Joseph A. Belt Middle School to the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. Abramoff was a member of the school’s board. The campaign returned the contributions this May and denied any wrong-doing.
Duncan campaign spokeswoman Jody Couser said the decision to drop out had nothing to do with lagging poll numbers or the Abramoff–related contributions.
“It is solely about the recent diagnosis,” she said.
Duncan’s third and final term as county executive ends in December.
During his 12-year tenure, Duncan led successful redevelopment campaigns of Silver Spring and Bethesda and presided over large population and job growth in the county.
“Silver Spring is probably the most obvious early achievement,” said County Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer.
