Educators, elected officials and Democratic candidates met up at Adam’s Ribs restaurant in Prince Frederick July 12 to show their support of Gov. Martin O’Malley. The governor took time to meet and discuss issues one-on-one, once he had arrived at the crowded venue.

Former Senator Bernie Fowler and State Senate President Mike Miller acknowledged attendees and Miller poked fun at Republican opponents to energize the crowd.

Introducing O’Malley, Miller stated, “This man has got a vision.”
O’Malley offered “good news,” sharing that the state had experienced “three months of positive job creation for the first time in three years.” The statistic falls in line with what the governor called his “top goal: jobs to get us out of the recession.”
Optimistically, O’Malley said, “Out best days are ahead of us,” as he indicated new business tax credits and striving to remain “enterprise-friendly” are also a priority.
The governor said with education, it will be “choices and hard work” that will keep our schools top-notch. He boasted that Education Week has ranked Maryland’s the best public school system for two years in a row and that tuition had not been increased for the past four years.
Violent crime rates, O’Malley said, are the lowest in decades and “the waters are cleaner than they have been in the last four to five years.”
He told Democratic candidates and supporters, “I…we need your help. This year’s campaign is not only about the election, it’s about the future generations.” The governor’s speech got interactive when he had them join in a “chorus” of “forward, not back.”
O’Malley, along with running mate Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, seeks re-election with the slogan, “Moving Maryland Forward.” Their mission, the governor said, is quite different than his Republican opponent and former Md. Governor’s whom he referred to as, “Don’t call me a lobbyist Bob Ehrlich.”
Information on Gov. O’Malley’s in-office accomplishments of the past nearly four years can be found here. Additional details O’Malley and Brown’s campaign in 2010, can be viewed here.
The governor’s race, many say, is one to really watch as the election draws closer. Check out TheBAYNET.com’s “Meet the Candidate” article series and great political news coverage for more information on your potential elected officials.