A GOP ticket for governor has split: Former Del. Carmen Amedori, who several weeks ago agreed to run in the number two slot to long-shot gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy, has withdrawn and will work instead for his primary opponent, former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich.
"It has become quite apparent that Bob Ehrlich is and will be the only one to beat Martin O'Malley in November," she said in a prepared statement. "I am happy to be returning to the Ehrlich camp and I plan to put forth all efforts to help him become Maryland's next Governor, once again."
The spurned Murphy isn't taking the defection quietly. In his own press release, the businessman lashed out at Ehrlich, accusing him of pressuring Amedori to abandon him and saying the incident highlights the failings of the GOP in Maryland. Amedori had been running for U.S. Senate before agreeing to join the gubernatorial ticket; she has previously served as an Ehrlich appointee to the state parole commission.
"The Republican Party has remained small and ineffective in Maryland because its leaders lack the determination to stand on principle, the will to inspire, and the passion to win," Murphy said. "Former Delegate Amedori is a case-in-point. After agreeing to be on our ticket weeks ago, and being an outspoken opponent of Governor Ehrlich's failed policies, she has abruptly succumbed to pressure from supporters of my opponent, Bob Ehrlich, and has done an about-face. When she joined the ticket, she did so with the firm belief that Maryland was headed in the wrong direction. She acknowledged that I was the person to lead Maryland forward."
Both statements, incidentally, are datelined Ocean City, where the state Republicans are holding their convention this week. Some caterer is probably quickly rearranging the dinner seating arrangements even as you read this.