Year: 2018

Gov. Hogan to campaign throughout Eastern Shore, southern Maryland Ben Jealous heads to California for a fundraiser; during presser on ethics reform, Jealous is called out on making calls to convicted lobbyist for help, which he says were in error; state Dems file ethics complaint against U.S. Rep. Harris; Hogan, who snubbed Sen. Mac Middleton over Nice Bridge announcement two years ago, to honor Middleton in Nice Bridge rechristening; Craig Wolf, Brian Frosh clash over roll of state attorney general during campaign debate; independent candidate Nancy Floreen says that win or lose the Montgomery County exec race, she’ll return to the Democratic Party; and while development was an issue during Baltimore Redmer, Olzsewski are mum on the issue.

Two statewide ballot questions address dedicating gaming funds to education and same-day voter registration; Attorney General Brian Frosh says job switched once Donald Trump became president, while opponent Craig Wolf says crime is the job; Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous eyes gender wage gap, state gun laws; state sees a record number of people registering to vote; confusion arises over registering as Independent or unaffiliated; congressional hopeful David Trone sets record – again – in self-funding campaign; Jesse Colvin gets a big financial boost in his run against U.S. Rep. Andy Harris; Republican files ethics complaint against Colvin over residency; and Elizabeth Sheree Morris becomes first black woman to sit on Arundel Circuit Court.

A national Republican group spends $90,000 in mailings to target more than a dozen Democratic incumbent delegates and candidates; Del. Meagan Simonaire, who came out as bi-sexual, switches from Republican to Democrat; Anjali Reed Phukan, seeking to unseat Comptroller Franchot, calls herself a “Republican with a twist;” Gov. Hogan envisions a 2nd term pretty much like his first; Super PAC backing Marc Elrich for Montgomery County exec; Baltimore County executive candidates face off in Catonsville; Arundel Council, woman-less for last eight years, could end up with a female majority after November election; and TJ Smith “has no plans” to run for Baltimore City mayor.

By a slim margin, Maryland voters oppose adding express toll lanes to widen three state highways; more voters are registering as independents; opioid-related deaths continue to rise; Gov. Larry Hogan, challenger Ben Jealous speak to at annual Maryland Municipal League event; a brief scuffle occurred outside the event between a Jealous bodyguard and a Hogan tracker; Jealous looks back at Hogan’s polling numbers four years ago and sees hope; Montgomery County Exec Ike Leggett backs Jealous, but won’t campaign against his friend Hogan; court denies ballot spot to Progressive activist Jerry Segal in his campaign against U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin; banner touting unelected candidate David Trone as “America’s Congressman” raises eyebrows in both parties; and former Baltimore city police commish urges ex-police spokesman to run for mayor.

Judge rejects lawsuit filed by Exelon against Maryland as state seeks to control pollution flowing into the Chesapeake; Maryland to extend retirees prescription drug plan through 2019; Sens. Van Hollen, Cardin introduce bill aimed at foreign foes from influencing elections systems; Maryland Democrats, gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous see blue wave in large number of requests for absentee ballots; Jesse Colvin, hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, strategic in his campaign; campaign of Baltimore County exec candidate Al Redmer denies Dems’ that he is breaking vow to not take funds from the industry that he regulates as insurance commissioner; local AFL-CIO backs Johnny Olszewski for Baltimore County exec; and group opposes razing Ellicott City buildings.

Washington Post editorial board endorses Hogan for re-election; DNR employee sues state claiming that it has violated her First, Fourteenth Amendment rights; Ben Jealous, Gov. Hogan talk Frederick County, economic development; delegate candidates in 23A says their constituents are focused on education; District 20 delegate hopeful to make 70 mile run this weekend; Baltimore County exec candidates Al Redmer; Johnny Olszewski debate issues; Arundel exec hopeful Steuart Pittman would bar developers with pending applications before county from donating to candidates; and Baltimore city police to accept IDs issued by Archdiocese of Baltimore to undocumented immigrants, others.

Washington Post-UM and Gonzales polls find Gov. Hogan primed for re-election with 18 to 20 point lead and few undecided; Ben Jealous says new Hogan video mocks his stuttering, calls it “bullying;” opioid deaths have soared under the Hogan administration; importance of Conservation Voters grows; Hogan’s record on the environment seen as mixed; Attorney General Brian Frosh leads challenger Craig Wolf in latest poll; and state GOP chief wants complaints in Anne Arundel County exec race withdrawn.