Erlich O'Malley, 2010 Rematch?

With the unexpected GOP victory in New Jersey, taken along with the very large margin in Virginia, might very well be the tipping point for former Maryland Republican governor Bob Ehrlich. He is rumoured to be considering another run for Governor in 2010. Martin O'Malley narrowly won the hard fought 2006 campaign. The huge movement of independents away from the Democratic Party toward the GOP in both Virginia and New Jersey last week is exactly what has given Mr. Ehrlich the motivation he needs for another successful bid.

"Independents, as you know, pretty much decide races these days," Ehrlich told his hometown Arbutus Times this week. Ehrlich, who in 2002 made history by becoming the Old Line State's first Republican governor in four decades, was especially encouraged by GOPer Chris Christie's victory in strongly Democratic New Jersey. "It's a blue state, a lot of labor, very organized Democratic Party, so it's a tough state for Republicans to win. So Christie winning there, it's a pretty big deal," Ehrlich said.

I suspect that the main reason he lost the 2006 race was due to voters growing tired of the GOP in Washington, and not to Mr. Erlich's governance. He is still relatively popular in the state, all the more so since Mr. O'Malley has had to raise taxes in every single session, all the while revenues from those taxes have been reduced by wealthier residents moving to states with lower tax rates.