Three months after announcing his candidacy for governor, former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. made it official Friday when he and newly chosen running mate Mary Kane filed paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections.
"I feel really great about it," Ehrlich said afterward.
He and Kane spent the morning as guests on Washington-area television and radio news programs. They have 10 parade appearances scheduled during the Fourth of July weekend, Ehrlich said.
Ehrlich and Kane said they had taken leaves of absence from their regular jobs. Until June 30, Ehrlich had worked part time in the Baltimore office of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, which he helped to open for the North Carolina law firm.
Kane said her leave from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she is a special projects director, became effective Thursday.
The filing deadline for all state candidates is Tuesday, and the elections board is closed Monday. Businessman Brian Murphy, who filed months ago for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, must refile paperwork that includes his choice of a running mate, which he plans to announce on Tuesday.
The primary election is in September.
Gov. Martin O'Malley, the Democrat who defeated Ehrlich four years ago, filed June 16 for re-election. He faces several little-known Democratic opponents in the primary.
julie.bykowicz@baltsun.com