baltimoresun.com

« Former state delegate Jean Cryor dead at 70 | Main | Obama, Mikulski still score high in Maryland »

November 4, 2009

Pappas drops gubernatorial bid and backs Hogan

Mike Pappas, the first Republican brave enough to wade into the 2010 gubernatorial contest in Maryland, is dropping out and throwing his support behind Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. Nearly a year after Pappas declared he was “in it to win it,” he’s now saying he’s in it for Hogan.

“I’m withdrawing from the race, and I believe that Larry is the candidate who can win next November,” Pappas said in a press release from Hogan’s campaign. “Larry nearly defeated Maryland’s most powerful Democrat. He has a proven record of wining over Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans.”

Hogan does count among his political credentials a campaign that almost unseated Steny H. Hoyer in the 1990s, a significant feat in a heavily Democratic state. The real estate company executive went on to serve in former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich’s cabinet. Pappas said Hogan has the ability to build the grassroots organization and fund-raising operation needed to be successful as Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley is already gearing up his campaign.

But there’s one major caveat — Hogan has said he’s only in it if Ehrlich’s not.

While he appears to be ramping up his campaign apparatus, Hogan has maintained that he would withdraw if Ehrlich decides to run. Meanwhile, a decision from Ehrlich could be months away.

As for Pappas, a construction attorney from Perry Hall. Hogan said you haven’t seen the last of him. “He’s got a great future in politics,” Hogan said in his press release. He added that he’s excited to have the “Pappas team” join his campaign.

Posted by Laura Smitherman at 4:01 PM | | Comments (1)
        

Comments

Ehrlich cannot beat O'Malley for three reasons: the flush tax, the billion dollar tax increase and the increases on so many fees. Hogan will have the best chance if he is right of center.

Post a comment

All comments must be approved by the blog author. Please do not resubmit comments if they do not immediately appear. You are not required to use your full name when posting, but you should use a real e-mail address. Comments may be republished in print, but we will not publish your e-mail address. Our full Terms of Service are available here.

Verification (needed to reduce spam):

About the bloggers
Annie Linskey covers the statehouse for The Baltimore Sun. Previously, as a City Hall reporter, she covered the corruption trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon and kept a close eye on city spending. Her reporting on the city’s economic development arm led to the termination of multiple improperly bid seven-figure public works contracts and her coverage of the death of a fire department cadet resulted in overhaul of that agency’s top brass. Before that, as a crime reporter, she interviewed Bloods gang members and the police detectives who pursue them.
Originally from Connecticut, Annie has lived and reported on war crimes tribunals and landmines from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She lives in Baltimore.

Paul West covers Washington for The Baltimore Sun, continuing a tradition that began the month the paper was born, in 1837. He hasn't been in the DC bureau that long--only since Ronald Reagan was president. He's covered Congress, the White House and presidential campaigns as the paper's national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief. He's on the lookout for news of significance to Sun readers at the other end of the B/W Parkway. That includes the activities of the state's congressional delegation and anything else that might shed some light on the inner workings of the nation's capital.

Julie Bykowicz's first days as a political reporter, in January 2009, coincided with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment and the start of the Maryland General Assembly's 426th legislative session. She focuses on coverage of state agencies, such as social services, juvenile justice and prisons. During the session, she wrote about the death penalty, slots parlors and speed cameras, among other hot topics. Julie began political reporting after more than seven years on The Baltimore Sun's crime desk. She lives in Baltimore and works primarily in Annapolis.

-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Most Recent Comments
Headlines from The Baltimore Sun
Michael Steele
Coverage of RNC chairman Michael Steele
Photos: Through the years

Local politics news
Blog updates
Recent updates to baltimoresun.com news blogs
 Subscribe to this feed
Stay connected