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State Roundup, November 7, 2018

Gov. Larry Hogan makes history as only second Republican governor of Maryland to win re-election since the 1950s; but Hogan’s coattails aren’t long, with incumbent Republican county executives falling to Democratic challengers and his ‘Drive for Five’ effort falling flat, with only two Senate seats turning over; Attorney General Brian Frosh easily wins re-election; both constitutional amendments pass; some voters experienced problems voting; in the State House races, by and large, incumbents win and Dems gain in the House. History is made with political newcomer Sarah Elfreth becoming the youngest state senator; the real surprises were in the county executive race where incumbent Republicans Steve Schuh of Anne Arundel and Allan Kittleman of Howard lost to challengers Steuart Pittman and Calvin Ball, respectively, and progressive Democrat Marc Elrich handily beat back a challenge from well-financed and temporary Independent Nancy Floreen; and in the congressional races, Democratic David Trone trounces Republican Amie Hoeber for the 6th District.

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State Roundup, November 6, 2018

Democrat Ben Jealous, Republican incumbent Gov. Larry Hogan push toward the finish line in last push of the campaign; whoever wins the governor’s mansion, history will be made: either a two-term Republican or the state’s first black governor; one thing to watch for: Does Gov. Hogan have coattails? Drive for Five campaign concentrates on Baltimore County and the Eastern Shore; where are the vulnerable state Senate seats?; Lobbyist Bruce Bereano helped fund anti-Jealous flyer; congressional hopeful David Trone hits Republican opponent Amie Hoeber hard in new commercial. Hoeber says she is “truly furious” over characterization; Baltimore County exec race turns to Dundalk in pre-election day push; what to watch for in Frederick, Washington, Carroll, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties; and federal judge refuses Justice Department request to pause Maryland case on Trump Organization and emoluments.

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State Roundup, November 5, 2018

What convinced the UM Board of Regents to reject President Loh to save Coach Durkin might have been Durkin’s own words; UM students seek a voice in choice of next president, ask that Board of Regents be elected; UM Senate criticizes regents for “exceeding authority;” Court of Special Appeals says judge exceeded her authority in holding five state Health Department officials in civil contempt; Supreme Court agrees to hear case over Bladensburg Cross; Amazon reportedly in advanced talks with Virginia over HQ2; Facebook postings by two Republican State House candidates from Anne Arundel being used by opposition; candidates for governor make their final weekend push; while Democrats see momentum building in down-ballot races, it might not be enough to push Ben Jealous into governor’s mansion; civility goes out the window in the flyers in 6th Congressional District race; and in the Anne Arundel exec race, incumbent Steve Schuh is criticized over county land purchase while Steuart Pittman asks developers for donations.

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State Roundup, November 2, 2018

MarylandReporter.com is 9 years old today; in wake of UM football controversy, Board of Regents chair James T. Brady resigns. Brady has been a close advisor to Gov. Larry Hogan and had chaired his last election campaign; Hogan hints at more changes at UM, says he was shocked at Regents’ decision to retain Coach Durkin; now, accreditation board looking at UM, a huge donor is on hold and a fight breaks out between UM football players; two opioid addicts ask state board to include cannabis use as acceptable method of breaking addiction; organizations offer help in getting to the polls on Tuesday; early voting ends with record number turning out; despite growing Latino population, getting them to vote is a difficult task; Independent U.S. Senate candidate Neal Simon gets a boost from Gov. Hogan; Montgomery County exec hopeful Robin Ficker has history of shocking others; and more young people seeking office.

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State Roundup, November 1, 2018

UM President Wallace Loh, who announced retirement, reverses decision, fires Coach Durkin despite threat of firing by Board of Regents; Loh says he’ll still retire, but sets goal of reforming UM football program beforehand; Board of Regents’ James Brady comes under fire for pressuring Loh to keep Durkin; Maryland State Highway Administration says it’s ready for winter’s onslaught; 6th Congressional District candidate David Trone slams rival Amie Hoeber over stand on ending birth-right citizenship; as he seek re-election, Republican Gov. Hogan is seen a jocular everyman who tacks toward a middle path; and Sen. Gail Bates is seeking answers about a breach of security at Howard County Courthouse involving Register of Wills Byron Macfarlane.

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State Roundup, October 31, 2018

Following probes into football player’s death, UM regents side with Coach Durkin. President Loh to retire. Politicians outraged over decisions; following Pittsburgh synagogue murders, Maryland reviewing hate crime laws, how investigations are handled; joint legislative committee hearing looking into governor’s role in appointments comes away with few answers; Gov. Hogan defends canceling Baltimore’s planned Red Line; in Prince George’s, President Trump provides the momentum to vote; U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders offers push for Ben Jealous’ gubernatorial campaign; and in the races for Frederick County State House delegation, Sen. Michael Hough outspends all.

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State Roundup, October 30, 2018

Reported anti-Jewish incidents jump 47% statewide in 2017; Baltimore County public schools have the highest number of bullying reports among large systems in Maryland; Gov. Larry Hogan sees his support rise among black Marylanders; early voting throughout the state is up 135% over 2014; with two state House seats open in District 32, seven candidates represent a diverse group; in Frederick County exec race, incumbent Jan Gardner outspends Kathy Afzali by $30,000; in Arundel, incumbent County Exec Steve Schuh almost spends $1 million in single period; and in Baltimore County exec race, new Al Redmer ad highlights close ties to Gov. Hogan.

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State Roundup, October 29, 2018

Maryland and federal officials say they’re confident the state’s voting system is secured against cyber threats; Larry Hogan and Ben Jealous aren’t the only candidates running for governor. Who are the other two?; voting-day registration will be on the ballot; Hogan camp says it would not have sent out MDGOP mailer that paints opponents as angry mob; in last campaign finance filing before Election Day, Hogan out-raises, outspends Jealous; who are the two people challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin?; changing demographics throws spotlight on Frederick County executive race; campaign of Montgomery exec Independent hopeful Nancy Floreen files complaint over excessive donation to Super PAC favoring Dem Marc Elrich; new plans for Ellicott City flood mitigation, restoration unveiled; and a federal probe into Arundel family agency pinpoints concerns about its ability to serve non-English speaking families.

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State Roundup, October 26, 2018

An independent review of UM’s football program says it fostered culture of fear, intimidation but stops short of calling it “toxic;” meanwhile, lawmakers back school President Wallace Loh, saying he shouldn’t be scape-goated; state audit digs up same problems with Baltimore City schools administration, plus some new ones; first day of early voting attracts thousands; suspicious package at one poll delays voting; Democratic Governors Association finally launches pro-Ben Jealous commercial; and in Baltimore County executive race, Johnny Olzsewski and Al Redmer bring out heavy-hitters to greet early voters.

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State Roundup, October 25, 2018

While the Chesapeake Bay is cleaner, there remains decades of work ahead; Maryland workers rally for increased wages, but Gov. Hogan’s office calls gathering “an unfortunate setback;” lobbyists who formed own firm respond to lawsuit; the Arundel County board of elections orders Democrats to stop ballot-like mailing; marijuana advocate files injury claim against U.S. Rep. Andy Harris following heated protest; Harris opponent Jesse Colvin turns campaign on its head; and 6th House District candidates in back to back debates..