Maryland gubernatorial election, 2002

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The Maryland Gubernatorial Election 2002 was held on November 4, 2002. Democratic Governor Parris Glendening was term-limited. Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend won the Democratic nomination, and Congressman Robert Ehrlich won the Republican nomination.

Ehrlich choose Michael Steele as his running mate, while Townsend choose Admiral Charles R. Larson as her running mate. Larson, switched to the Democratic party a few weeks before the election.

As Townsend began taking heat about the Glendening Administration, Ehrlich remained quiet, and as Ehrlich gained in the polls, and Townsend fell, Ehrlich remained quiet.

Weeks before the Election, Ehrlich unleashed his media blitz. Ehrlich, who had remained low during most of the election, came out and attacked the Glendening administration. He also promised to bring back fiscal-responsibility.

On Election night 2002, Ehrlich beat Townsend, 52-48. Ehrlich became the first Republican governor since Spiro Agnew in 1966.

Year	Office		Candidate	Party	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Party	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Party	Votes	Pct
2002	Governor		Kathleen Kennedy Townsend	Democrat	813,422	47.68%		Robert Ehrlich	Republican	879,592	51.55%		Spear Lancaster	Libertarian	11,546	0.68%

[edit] 2006 Election

In 2006, Ehrlich ran for a second term, and was defeated by Baltimore mayor Martin J. O'Malley.

Maryland Gubernatorial Election 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Martin O'Malley	942,279	52.7
	Republican	Robert Ehrlich (Incumbent)	825,464	46.2	-5.4