Parris Glendening - 2002 Gubernatorial Election

2002 Gubernatorial Election

During the 2002 Maryland governor election, Glendening was not eligible to run due to the state constitutional term limit. His lieutenant governor, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, was nominated by the Democrats to run. Townsend was damaged during the election due to wide criticism by rural voters, especially farmers, directed at Glendening for what they considered overzealous environmental legislation that significantly raised the cost of participating in agribusiness.

Townsend lost the election 48% to 52% to the Republican U.S. Congressman Robert Ehrlich. The Republican ran an inclusive campaign focusing on his bipartisan work in Congress and his Pro-Choice voting record. His efforts resulted in record voter turnout in Maryland's rural and suburban counties. At the same time Townsend's campaign was plagued with missteps emblematic of which was her her unpopular lieutenant governor choice, a retired white Admiral, Charles R. Larson, who had never been involved in politics and had changed parties only weeks before. Townsend's pick of Larson, which she made without consulting the Democratic leaders in the state was a point of controversy in the campaign. Ehrlich was victorious in November 2002, taking office in January 2003.