(Breaking news) Pappas pulls out of governor race, backs Hogan

Ehrlich still weighing decision, analyzing results in N.J., Va.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Perry Hall attorney Mike Pappas withdrew his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination on Wednesday and threw his support to former Ehrlich administration official Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.

The two men had several discussions in recent months and Pappas determined that Hogan, who announced an exploratory campaign for governor in September, would have a better chance of defeating Gov. Martin O'Malley in next year's general election, Hogan said on Wednesday.

"Both of us are of the opinion that this is a fight worth fighting, that somebody needs to step up to the challenge and that we need to put our best player on the field," he said. "Mike thought I was the strongest candidate and had the best opportunity to build a larger grass-roots organization and raise more money."

Hogan, who served as appointments secretary under Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), has said he would cease his campaign if his former boss decides to run to reclaim his seat.

Pappas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Like me, Larry is not a career politician; he's a reformer who will bring common sense and fiscal responsibility back to Annapolis," Pappas is quoted as saying in the release, which also noted Hogan's near-defeat of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer in 1992.

"He has a proven record of [winning] over Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans," Pappas said.

Since announcing his candidacy for governor last December, Pappas has spent the last 10 months building a network of supporters and speaking to GOP groups statewide.

Hogan said he met with Ehrlich Wednesday morning, but said the former governor did not appear to be any closer to making a decision on whether he would run than before Tuesday's gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia that were both won by Republicans.

"Last night was a huge, huge win for Republicans and I think it says a lot about angry, frustrated voters fed up with incumbents in general and all of that points to giving us a better shot in Maryland," said Hogan. "The governor and I were both encouraged by the results of last night and obviously we both feel better about things than we did yesterday or last week. It certainly is a big improvement over last November, but I don't think he's any closer to a decision than he was before."

Hogan said the timing of Pappas' withdrawal one day after the GOP victories in New Jersey and Virginia is purely coincidental.

abrody@somdnews.com