The following are the Bay Net’s endorsements for governor in the Democratic and Republican primaries on June 24:

Democratic Governor

Maryland Democrats have a clear choice of the status quo or change in the June 24 Primary Election. Those who liked the last eight years of Gov. O’Malley at the helm will like what Anthony Brown brings to the table.

Maryland has gone through some sweeping social changes: same-sex marriage, transgender rights, gun control, elimination of the death penalty, marijuana decriminalization, etc. Those changes alone may be enough to get some more moderate Democrats looking elsewhere.

But even those who are satisfied with those changes should take pause on one very important issue: the economy. Maryland in the last eight years has been put at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states with its tax policy for businesses and business owners. The old political cliché – “It’s the economy, stupid’ — holds truer today as we claw ourselves out of the worst recession that most of us can remember.

The O’Malley-Brown Administration has overseen 40 tax increases in their eight years that have put a significant hole in the pocket books of Maryland taxpayers. It’s been particularly devastating to the state’s middle-class citizens.

The economy would have been a big issue up until this past weekend. It has now become a deal breaker for Southern Marylanders with the governor’s veto of the Southern Maryland Delegation’s Wind Turbine Bill and Brown’s failure to buck his leader on it.

This isn’t just a jobs’ issue. The fate of Southern Maryland’s economy could hang in the balance if Big Navy decides that it can’t perform the naval air mission at its current location. I am sure China Lake would love to do it. Can you say “BRAC!!!?”

The other issue that is unquestionably on Anthony’s Brown’s plate is the failed health care web site. He was given this as his responsibility and he blew it on his watch. The buck has to stop somewhere and it stops squarely at his feet.

While Heather Mizeur adds a refreshing anti-establishment bluntness that may appeal to some young people, what she really offers is the O’Malley Administration times two on policy issues…more of the same and then some.

Doug Gansler

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