Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown said their farewells to the Maryland General Assembly Thursday, urging lawmakers to seek common ground despite political disagreements.
One day after Gov.-elect Larry Hogan brought a similar message of bipartisanship, the outgoing governor and his defeated would-be successor thanked lawmakers for their friendship and support.
O'Malley, consistent with his practice of the last eight years, was unstinting in his praise for Brown. He said his lieutenant governor played a role in virtually every achievement of his administration.
"I had such a hard-working and fearless lieutenant governor over the past eight years," he said.
O'Malley said he felt one of the achievements of his administration was to set a civil tone regardless of political differences.
"The phone works both ways and we all have an obligation to speak with one another," he said.
Brown, who leaves office next Wednesday along with O'Malley, praised Hogan's love of Maryland and echoed his theme of working together.
"The challenges are many and progress is achievable so long as you find common ground," Brown said.
Their remarks came as three moving vans were parked along State Circle outside the Government House loading up the O'Malley family's possessions. O'Malley has plans to move his family back to Baltimore while exploring future career opportunities — including a potential run for president.
Brown has not outlined his future political plans.