E-Alert Case Updates

2014 Maryland Election Poses to Turn Maryland’s Blue Skies Purple

(November 2014)
by Sarah M. Grago, Law Clerk
Semmes, Bowen & Semmes (www.semmes.com)

The election on November 4, 2014 resulted in a victory for Maryland Republicans. Governor-elect Larry Hogan (R) and running mate Boyd Rutherford (R) defeated Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Ken Ulman (D) with the final vote count totaling 847,107 to 770,511 (51.47% to 46.82%). Brown captured the votes of only four counties: Baltimore City, Charles, Montgomery, and Prince George’s while Hogan won Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Hartford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.

In the race for Attorney General, Senator Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) defeated Jeffrey N. Pritzker (R). Similarly, the Democratic candidate for Comptroller, Peter Franchot, won another term and beat the Republican challenger William H. Campbell.

In addition to electing a Republican governor, Maryland citizens’ votes gave the Republicans two (2) more seats in the Senate and seven (7) in the House. While the Democrats still retain control over the General Assembly, this shift reflects one third (1/3) of the House and Senate turning over.

Although neither the defeats, nor victories from Tuesday’s elections changed the balance in either the Senate or the House as the Democratic Party still maintains a majority, there were some significant races. In the Senate, John Olszewski, Jr. (D) lost to Johnny Ray Salling (R); Roy Dyson (D) (Vice Chairman of EHEA Committee) lost to Steve Waugh (R); and, Mary-Dulany James (D) lost to Bob Cassilly (R).

Similarly, in the House: Chris West (R) and Delegate Susan L. Aumann (R) will represent District 42B after defeating Democrats Robert Leonard and Craig Little. Chris West is a Principal at Semmes.

Other important races included: Kevin Kelly (D) lost to Jason Buckel (R); John Donoghue (D) lost to Brett Wilson (R); Mike Weir (D) lost to Robin Grammer (R); John Bohanan (D) (Chair, APP Educational and Economic Development Subcommittee) lost to Deb Ray (R); David Rudolph (D) (Vice Chairman of Economic Matters) lost to Kevin Hornberger (R); and, Norman Conway (D) (Chairman of Appropriations) lost to Carl Anderton, Jr. (R).

Even though the legislative committee assignments will not be released until early January, the results of Tuesday’s election will significantly change the makeup of several committees, especially the House Economic Matters Committee which will not see the return of over half of its members. Neither the Speaker of the House or Delegates, nor the President of the Senate offered to share any insight relating to the upcoming appointments,

On the federal level, the following seven (7) incumbents, including one (1) Republican and six (6) Democrats, remained in office in the House without much of an upset: Andy Harris (R), Chris Van Hollen (D), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D), John P. Sarbanes (D), Donna F. Edwards (D), Steny H. Hoyer (D), and Elijah E. Cummings (D). One-term Representative John Delaney (D), also remained in office, but faced a very close race against Dan Bongino (R) in the Sixth (6th) Congressional District.

Voters approved both ballot measures presented. First, to amend the Maryland constitution to establish that transportation trust fund money may be used only for transportation projects. Next, voters voted to amend the Maryland constitution to allow a county charter to hold special elections to fill vacancies for county executives.