An exhausted and elated Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. shifted out of campaign mode and into his new role as governor-elect yesterday, pledging that Maryland's first Republican administration in more than three decades would include Democrats and minorities in leadership posts.
Ehrlich's first day after defeating Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend contained a healthy dose of work, including a telephone conversation with Gov. Parris N. Glendening on ways to close a $418 million shortfall in this year's budget, considered the most pressing problem facing the state.
He also sketched the faint outlines of his governing team by announcing that the chief of staff of his congressional office, Steven L. Kreseski, will continue the powerful role in Annapolis, and that a former Glendening economic development chief, James T. Brady, will operate his transition team.
Ehrlich declined to discuss specifics of priorities for the 2003 legislative session or names under consideration for Cabinet posts and other appointments during a noon news conference in Baltimore. But he said he'd dip into the pool of Maryland Democrats - who vastly outnumber Republicans - to carry out his mission of shaking out the cobwebs that have grown in Annapolis during 34 years of Democratic hegemony.
"We meant what we said in this campaign," Ehrlich said. "'Time for a change' means something."
Some of the changes, however, could include familiar faces.
Leading Republicans were discussing the idea of offering Sen. Robert R. Neall, an Anne Arundel County Democrat who switched parties two years ago, the position as head of the state Department of Budget and Management. Considered among the General Assembly's most savvy fiscal minds, Neall would bring instant credibility to any Ehrlich effort to close a projected two-year $1.7 billion budget gap.
Neall, who lost his re-election bid Tuesday, denied interest in the job. "Somebody hasn't come down off their post-election high," he quipped.
Another possibility as budget secretary is Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, a Baltimore Democrat and chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee who lost in a September primary. Hoffman confirmed her interest yesterday and said some discussions have taken place.
"It would be very nice," she said. "It's something I know about."
Republicans also spoke of offering an unspecified position to House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., the Allegany County Democrat who was passed over by Townsend as a running mate and appeared to lose his re-election bid, though absentee ballots were still uncounted. Taylor did not return calls seeking comment.
Other names circulated yesterday as Ehrlich and his closest advisers faced a happy problem the GOP has not seen since Spiro T. Agnew was elected in 1966: How to distribute the spoils that come with controlling the executive branch of government?
"There's 30 years' worth of patronage out there," said House Minority Leader Alfred W. Redmer Jr., a Perry Hall Republican. "The problem is not finding positions. It's finding enough people to fill the positions."
Added Carvel Payne, former head of the state legislative reference department: "There are an awful lot of people out there who thought they were nonpartisan employees. It might be a shock to them to find out they are partisan."
An official in the state comptroller's office estimated that as many as 1,000 high-ranking state employees could be replaced, although it is unlikely such turnover is imminent.
"The man does not want to be a one-term governor," Hoffman said. "He does not want to throw out everybody and make everybody angry. It would be very bad politics."
Despite the potential upheaval that lies ahead, key Democratic legislative leaders pledged yesterday to work with Ehrlich to achieve his agenda.
"The reason Bob Ehrlich was elected was he described himself as a moderate. He appealed to moderate Democrats. And he was able to hold on to his right-wing constituents. If he continues to be a moderate, the state will be governed well," said Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller. "I pledge to avoid any type of gridlock. I pledge with my Senate leadership to work with him. He made a lot of commitments. I expect him to fulfill them."
In making her first public comments since her concession speech Tuesday night, Townsend today said that she was proud of her campaign and declined to rule out whether she would run for public office again.
"We raised important challenges that we felt needed to be raised concerning the future of Maryland," Townsend said before heading off on a hike this morning with her family along the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail. "I was proud to have run on the issues that we ran on."
Townsend said she had not talked with Glendening since the election, declining to comment on his remarks that she did not run an effective campaign.
As for Ehrlich, before he ponders appointments to plum positions such as the University System Board of Regents and the Public Service Commission, the governor-elect first must tackle the budget shortfall. His campaign included a pledge to bring slot machines to Maryland to provide money for schools, part of budget-balancing plan.
Ehrlich wasted little time, however, in rescinding one of his campaign pledges. On Oct. 18, he said that if elected governor, he would immediately call for a special session of the General Assembly to address the budget situation.
Yesterday, after speaking with Glendening, Ehrlich said the move was not needed.
"Given what he said, maybe there's no need for a special session," Ehrlich said, refusing to provide details of ways to save money.
In an interview, Glendening said he offered to meet with Ehrlich to discuss fiscal affairs.
"I told him there were a series of things that I could do to adjust for the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, the year under my watch," Glendening said, describing the 15-minute conversation which took place at 11 a.m. "I said that when we get together, we can discuss some of those alternatives. I would go ahead and make some of those decisions, so this budget is totally balanced."
For the budget year that begins July 1 and contains a projected $1.3 billion revenue gap, Ehrlich "would want to take the lead, because there are some decisions that would involve some fundamental differences," Glendening said.
Glendening and Ehrlich also spoke of assigning staff members to create teams to review state operations. At the outset, Kreseski, who has worked for Ehrlich for eight years, will meet with Glendening chief of staff Gene Lynch.
Ehrlich's transition office will run from the fifth floor of an Annapolis building that also contains the secretary of state's office.
Kreseski said Ehrlich plans to create four transition units of his own: examining the budget; legislative policy development; department staffing resources; and nominations for boards and other posts.
A Web site will be developed, he said, so applicants for jobs in an Ehrlich administration can submit resumes. The new administration will be looking for fresh ideas, he said.
"There are certainly political appointees who may not feel as challenged today as they were 30 years ago," Kreseski said, adding that the campaign has received about 200 job inquiries since July.
Lt. Gov.-elect Michael S. Steele will serve as chairman of the transition. Brady, who resigned from the Glendening administration in 1998 citing policy differences over the state's business climate, will handle day-to-day affairs.
The appointment, Ehrlich said, should show his administration's commitment to business issues. "Business is our middle name," Ehrlich said. GOP officials say they expect Brady to receive a permanent post in the Ehrlich administration.
Ehrlich denied yesterday that he had made specific promises of jobs during the campaign.
"Most people just laugh at you when you make campaign promises," he said, because of the GOP's abysmal track record in state elections.
Still, it was clear yesterday that many of Ehrlich's campaign staffers would be taking assignments in his administration.
Paul E. Schurick, Ehrlich's political director and communications director who previously worked for Gov. William Donald Schaefer, will be returning to Annapolis.
Campaign manager James C. "Chip" DiPaula, a Maryland native, said yesterday that he would likely stay with Ehrlich, as did campaign spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver.
Much of Ehrlich's congressional staff is also expected to relocate to Annapolis.
Other supporters must wait for their rewards.
"I'm an adviser to the governor. I would like to serve in whatever role this governor sees fit," said Sen. Clarence M. Mitchell IV, who aligned himself with Ehrlich after Glendening targeted him with a redistricting map that decimated his district. In the past year, Mitchell was reprimanded for accepting a loan in a deal with three Baltimore businessmen with issues before the General Assembly.
Other talk yesterday included the possibility of Senate Minority Leader J. Lowell Stoltzfus of the Eastern Shore as secretary of the Department of Natural Resources
Del. James F. Ports Jr., the House minority whip, lost his bid to become a Baltimore County councilman on Tuesday, but said his dejection evaporated after a brief conversation with the next governor.
"He said, 'Don't worry about it. You're coming to Annapolis with us. I wanted you there anyway,'" Ports said.
Other names mentioned by GOP insiders yesterday included:
Trent Kittleman, a longtime party official from Howard County and wife of Sen. Robert H. Kittleman.
Mary Kane, the wife of moving company owner and party activist John Kane, who lost her bid for a House of Delegates seat from Montgomery County.
Former Senate Minority Leader Martin G. Madden of Howard County, who worked on the campaign budget proposal.
Michael W. Burns, a former Anne Arundel County delegate who lost a bid for state's attorney this week.
Redmer, the minority leader, said he was worried that many of the 40-odd Republicans in the House might take higher-paying administration jobs, leaving behind a weakened roster to do the job of legislating.
"Somebody's got to tend the shop," Redmer said.
Sun staff writers Howard Libit and Ivan Penn contributed to this article.
Ehrlich's first day after defeating Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend contained a healthy dose of work, including a telephone conversation with Gov. Parris N. Glendening on ways to close a $418 million shortfall in this year's budget, considered the most pressing problem facing the state.
He also sketched the faint outlines of his governing team by announcing that the chief of staff of his congressional office, Steven L. Kreseski, will continue the powerful role in Annapolis, and that a former Glendening economic development chief, James T. Brady, will operate his transition team.
Ehrlich declined to discuss specifics of priorities for the 2003 legislative session or names under consideration for Cabinet posts and other appointments during a noon news conference in Baltimore. But he said he'd dip into the pool of Maryland Democrats - who vastly outnumber Republicans - to carry out his mission of shaking out the cobwebs that have grown in Annapolis during 34 years of Democratic hegemony.
"We meant what we said in this campaign," Ehrlich said. "'Time for a change' means something."
Some of the changes, however, could include familiar faces.
Leading Republicans were discussing the idea of offering Sen. Robert R. Neall, an Anne Arundel County Democrat who switched parties two years ago, the position as head of the state Department of Budget and Management. Considered among the General Assembly's most savvy fiscal minds, Neall would bring instant credibility to any Ehrlich effort to close a projected two-year $1.7 billion budget gap.
Neall, who lost his re-election bid Tuesday, denied interest in the job. "Somebody hasn't come down off their post-election high," he quipped.
Another possibility as budget secretary is Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, a Baltimore Democrat and chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee who lost in a September primary. Hoffman confirmed her interest yesterday and said some discussions have taken place.
"It would be very nice," she said. "It's something I know about."
Republicans also spoke of offering an unspecified position to House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., the Allegany County Democrat who was passed over by Townsend as a running mate and appeared to lose his re-election bid, though absentee ballots were still uncounted. Taylor did not return calls seeking comment.
Other names circulated yesterday as Ehrlich and his closest advisers faced a happy problem the GOP has not seen since Spiro T. Agnew was elected in 1966: How to distribute the spoils that come with controlling the executive branch of government?
"There's 30 years' worth of patronage out there," said House Minority Leader Alfred W. Redmer Jr., a Perry Hall Republican. "The problem is not finding positions. It's finding enough people to fill the positions."
Added Carvel Payne, former head of the state legislative reference department: "There are an awful lot of people out there who thought they were nonpartisan employees. It might be a shock to them to find out they are partisan."
An official in the state comptroller's office estimated that as many as 1,000 high-ranking state employees could be replaced, although it is unlikely such turnover is imminent.
"The man does not want to be a one-term governor," Hoffman said. "He does not want to throw out everybody and make everybody angry. It would be very bad politics."
Despite the potential upheaval that lies ahead, key Democratic legislative leaders pledged yesterday to work with Ehrlich to achieve his agenda.
"The reason Bob Ehrlich was elected was he described himself as a moderate. He appealed to moderate Democrats. And he was able to hold on to his right-wing constituents. If he continues to be a moderate, the state will be governed well," said Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller. "I pledge to avoid any type of gridlock. I pledge with my Senate leadership to work with him. He made a lot of commitments. I expect him to fulfill them."
In making her first public comments since her concession speech Tuesday night, Townsend today said that she was proud of her campaign and declined to rule out whether she would run for public office again.
"We raised important challenges that we felt needed to be raised concerning the future of Maryland," Townsend said before heading off on a hike this morning with her family along the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail. "I was proud to have run on the issues that we ran on."
Townsend said she had not talked with Glendening since the election, declining to comment on his remarks that she did not run an effective campaign.
As for Ehrlich, before he ponders appointments to plum positions such as the University System Board of Regents and the Public Service Commission, the governor-elect first must tackle the budget shortfall. His campaign included a pledge to bring slot machines to Maryland to provide money for schools, part of budget-balancing plan.
Ehrlich wasted little time, however, in rescinding one of his campaign pledges. On Oct. 18, he said that if elected governor, he would immediately call for a special session of the General Assembly to address the budget situation.
Yesterday, after speaking with Glendening, Ehrlich said the move was not needed.
"Given what he said, maybe there's no need for a special session," Ehrlich said, refusing to provide details of ways to save money.
In an interview, Glendening said he offered to meet with Ehrlich to discuss fiscal affairs.
"I told him there were a series of things that I could do to adjust for the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, the year under my watch," Glendening said, describing the 15-minute conversation which took place at 11 a.m. "I said that when we get together, we can discuss some of those alternatives. I would go ahead and make some of those decisions, so this budget is totally balanced."
For the budget year that begins July 1 and contains a projected $1.3 billion revenue gap, Ehrlich "would want to take the lead, because there are some decisions that would involve some fundamental differences," Glendening said.
Glendening and Ehrlich also spoke of assigning staff members to create teams to review state operations. At the outset, Kreseski, who has worked for Ehrlich for eight years, will meet with Glendening chief of staff Gene Lynch.
Ehrlich's transition office will run from the fifth floor of an Annapolis building that also contains the secretary of state's office.
Kreseski said Ehrlich plans to create four transition units of his own: examining the budget; legislative policy development; department staffing resources; and nominations for boards and other posts.
A Web site will be developed, he said, so applicants for jobs in an Ehrlich administration can submit resumes. The new administration will be looking for fresh ideas, he said.
"There are certainly political appointees who may not feel as challenged today as they were 30 years ago," Kreseski said, adding that the campaign has received about 200 job inquiries since July.
Lt. Gov.-elect Michael S. Steele will serve as chairman of the transition. Brady, who resigned from the Glendening administration in 1998 citing policy differences over the state's business climate, will handle day-to-day affairs.
The appointment, Ehrlich said, should show his administration's commitment to business issues. "Business is our middle name," Ehrlich said. GOP officials say they expect Brady to receive a permanent post in the Ehrlich administration.
Ehrlich denied yesterday that he had made specific promises of jobs during the campaign.
"Most people just laugh at you when you make campaign promises," he said, because of the GOP's abysmal track record in state elections.
Still, it was clear yesterday that many of Ehrlich's campaign staffers would be taking assignments in his administration.
Paul E. Schurick, Ehrlich's political director and communications director who previously worked for Gov. William Donald Schaefer, will be returning to Annapolis.
Campaign manager James C. "Chip" DiPaula, a Maryland native, said yesterday that he would likely stay with Ehrlich, as did campaign spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver.
Much of Ehrlich's congressional staff is also expected to relocate to Annapolis.
Other supporters must wait for their rewards.
"I'm an adviser to the governor. I would like to serve in whatever role this governor sees fit," said Sen. Clarence M. Mitchell IV, who aligned himself with Ehrlich after Glendening targeted him with a redistricting map that decimated his district. In the past year, Mitchell was reprimanded for accepting a loan in a deal with three Baltimore businessmen with issues before the General Assembly.
Other talk yesterday included the possibility of Senate Minority Leader J. Lowell Stoltzfus of the Eastern Shore as secretary of the Department of Natural Resources
Del. James F. Ports Jr., the House minority whip, lost his bid to become a Baltimore County councilman on Tuesday, but said his dejection evaporated after a brief conversation with the next governor.
"He said, 'Don't worry about it. You're coming to Annapolis with us. I wanted you there anyway,'" Ports said.
Other names mentioned by GOP insiders yesterday included:
Redmer, the minority leader, said he was worried that many of the 40-odd Republicans in the House might take higher-paying administration jobs, leaving behind a weakened roster to do the job of legislating.
"Somebody's got to tend the shop," Redmer said.
Sun staff writers Howard Libit and Ivan Penn contributed to this article.