Story Category: Politics »

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler is president of the National Association of Attorney’s General (NAAG). At a reception in his honor at Fitzie’s in Compton on Tuesday Gansler joked that people sometimes call the organization the National Association of Aspiring Governors. Later on his talk Gansler said, “We will be looking forward to the governor’s race down the road.”

So even though he hasn’t officially announced his intent to go after the seat now held by term-limited Governor Martin O’Malley, every one of the several hundred people in attendance at the reception knew he was indeed going to be a candidate. Equally, with Governor O’Malley frequently touting the accomplishments of his lieutenant governor, Anthony Brown, everyone knows it will be at least a Brown-Gansler race with the possibility of Comptroller Peter Franchot joining the fray.

Gansler has staked himself out as a moderate. The reception was decidedly bipartisan with a number of Republicans in attendance, including three Republican county commissioners, Larry Jarboe, Todd Morgan and Daniel Morris.  When the Bay Net mentioned that to Morris, he said a lot of the Republicans in the room “were Democrats four years ago.”

Also in attendance was former Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel. A number of current and former elected officials were introduced by former Delegate John William Quade.

“We will be happy to have him as governor in the next election,” said attorney Phil Dorsey, one of the organizers of the event. Dorsey noted that Gansler had successfully tried a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Deputy State’s Attorney Ted Weiner said of Gansler, “He is the only state-wide candidate who actually knows where St. Mary’s County is.” Gansler’s father Josh and step-mother Leah had a home in St. Mary’s County until recently and Gansler has spent a lot of time in the county prior.to his election and since.

In his speech Gansler dealt with several topics. He talked about the need for DNA tests of persons when they are arrested, for the protection of the person arrested. But the law passed by the Maryland General Assembly was overturned and Gansler said that decision will be appealed.

He also said that financial privacy on the internet was a growing concern and his office will be addressing that issue in the next year. That will also include a review of cyber security and cyber bullying.

Gansler also pointed out that Omega Foods in Virginia is taking 80 percent of the menhaden population out of the Bay. He said the state’s lawsuit says you not only can’t put pollution into the Bay but “You can’t take everything out of the water.”

On politics Gansler said he had a great job that didn’t require him to vote on things, such as slot machines, as legislators do. But almost in the same breath he indicated he was looking forward to that governor’s race, with the election just a little over two years away.

In billing himself as a moderate, he said, “I believe you represent the whole state.” He added, “When we hire people I have no idea whether they are Republicans or Democrats.”