As you might imagine, I’ve been getting some questions about George Owings and his candidacy for Governor of Maryland.
Despite the fact that I have been involved in the Maryland Democratic Party for more than 25 years, I don’t really know George Owings. What I do know is that he was a loyal appointee of Bob Ehrlich. He may be a nice enough guy, but to be honest no one in the state or especially the Democratic Party is clamoring for a return to the Ehrlich administration.
Most Marylanders know that Governor O’Malley is doing a good job leading the state forward in this very difficult time. In fact, from where I sit, Maryland is in much better shape than our neighbors and we can be really thankful we’ve had such a steady hand leading us. Maybe that’s why Governing Magazine chose Martin O’Malley as Governor of the Year in 2009.
George Owings’ conservative record on tobacco, choice, women, health care, guns and the environment have led to his close affiliation with the state GOP and Bob Ehrlich. Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan has even said that he and George Owings agree on most issues.
George Owings has said on the record that he was disappointed to lose his political appointment in the Ehrlich cabinet, and even admitted that he needed a “cooling off period” to get over his anger when Governor O’Malley won and appointed new cabinet secretaries. This “challenge” sounds a little too personal and it makes you wonder whether George Owings is still reading from Bob Ehrlich’s talking points.
One thing I have seen this year is that Democrats, be they conservative or liberal, are happy with Governor O’Malley and recognize that Maryland has stable, conscientious leadership.
[...] ran, the Baltimore media was fixated on the potential run of George Owings in the primary while the Democrats scurried to tie him to Bob [...]
I wrote George directly on FB asking for his positions on the issues. He wrote back asking what issues. I suggested Education, Justice, Environment. He said that was a lot and he would get back to me. I wrote to say I was surprised that he did not have issue statements at hand since he is running for the nomination. He has not gotten back to me. This was all about noon today.
Who is putting him up to this? He must know he has no chance. He would have a website if he were serious. This is more ephemeral than the grocer who ran against Townsend.
i have george owings for many years you are right about one thing. he is not a mudslinger but he will jump up and tell you if you aren’t doing right. he did a good job as a senator and as secretary of veterans affairs. one man can not do everything but he can make it so most people won’t argue and they get in line to follow him, and that is george owings. you might want to listen to what he says, if nothing else it will be interesting. thank you.