Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan’s decision to bow out of the governor’s race spells good news for the Democratic Party and forces current Gov. Robert Ehrlich to step up his game early, political experts said Thursday.
Instead of having to fiercely compete against fellow Democrat Duncan, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley can just take on Ehrlich outright, saving effort and dollars.
“A bloody primary, especially one that’s centered on Prince George’s County as it would have been, would have only helped Ehrlich [and Lt. Gov.] Steele,” said Peter Shapiro, a senior fellow at the University of Maryland’s Academy of Leadership. “Now the Democrats can focus on the real opposition, which in this case is the Republicans.”
As for the incumbent, he will have to be ready to campaign all out much sooner, according to Jennifer Duffy, editor of the Cook Political Report.
“It means Bob Ehrlich has a general election three months before he planned on it. That race starts tomorrow morning,” Cook said.
Duncan was considered the underdog behind O’Malley in the primary. He lagged behind the Baltimore mayor in polls and raised $1.3 million in funds to O’Malley’s $4.5 million.
Still, Shapiro said, it’s unclear who would have emerged victorious in a September primary.
“By many accounts, Duncan was coming on strong and was a real contender, not just in the primary but in general,” Shapiro noted. “I don’t know whether he had the momentum or the money to win but he seemed to be gaining.”
Thursday’s announcement by Duncan that he was pulling out due to clinical depression was generally met with surprise and sympathy.
O’Malley and Ehrlich released statements to the media wishing their competitor and his family their best.
Calling Duncan an outstanding public servant, O’Malley said he would be praying for Duncan and his wife and that he looked forward to working with his Democratic rival in coming months.
Ehrlich, meanwhile, expressed sadness to learn of Duncan’s health plight and complimented his “personal decency and graciousness.”
The chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, Terry Lierman, said Duncan pulling out makes the focus for the Democrats “easier, but the task is not any easier.”
“Ehrlich is going to have a lot of money, a lot of White House support,” Lierman said. “It will be difficult, but worthwhile. This is the most important governor’s race in Maryland in decades.”
