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On June 16, Governor Martin O'Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown officially filed their candidacy for governor at the State Board of Elections.  Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown joined with dozens of community leaders, small business owners, students and teachers, and current and former elected officials in front of the Maryland Democratic Party headquarters and marched to the State Board of Elections to file their official candidacy to Move Maryland Forward.
 
"In this election, the choice has never been clearer - will we move forward, or will we slip back," said Governor O'Malley.  "Four years ago, Anthony and I promised that we would make our government work again. We promised that Maryland's middle class families and small businesses would always come first.  And that's what we've done. Managing through some very tough times, we've always put the priorities of our families, students and small businesses first."
 
Governor O'Malley continued, "It has been an honor to serve the people of Maryland over the past four years and I look forward to continuing to move our state forward over the next four years."
 
As many states struggle through the national recession, Governor O'Malley has made the tough choices to balance the state budget, cut state spending by $5.6 billion, and reduce the size of government all while still making progress on the state's key priorities.
 
"Governor O'Malley has delivered results to move our state forward, always putting the interests of Maryland families ahead of the special interests," said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown.  "Under Governor O'Malley, Maryland has fared better than most.  We've retained jobs better than all but four states.  We maintained an unemployment rate almost 25% below the national average. Our communities our safer, more people have access to healthcare and we have made tremendous strides restoring the Bay."

"Governor O'Malley has put forward an aggressive plan to continue creating jobs and expanding opportunities for our families, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to serve the people of Maryland." 
 
Under Governor O'Malley, Maryland's public school system was ranked #1 in the nation by Education Week for two years in a row.  Maryland has retained jobs better than all but 4 other states in the country while maintaining an unemployment rate that remains more than 25% below the national average.  And under Governor O'Malley, Maryland is one of only 8 states to maintain a AAA bond rating certified by all three bond rating agencies.