2006 Maryland Comptroller election explained

Election Name:2006 Maryland Comptroller election
Country:Maryland
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2002 Maryland Comptroller election
Previous Year:2002
Next Election:2010 Maryland Comptroller election
Next Year:2010
Image1:File:1franchot9.jpg
Nominee1:Peter Franchot
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,016,677
Percentage1:59.0%
Nominee2:Anne McCarthy
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:703,874
Percentage2:40.8%
Map Size:300px
Comptroller
Before Election:William Donald Schaefer
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Peter Franchot
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2006 Maryland Comptroller election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democratic State Comptroller William Donald Schaefer ran for a third term, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Peter Franchot, a State Delegate from Montgomery County. On the Republican side, Anne McCarthy, the former dean of the University of Baltimore business school, won a crowded primary and faced off against Franchot. In the general election, Franchot defeated McCarthy and became the next Comptroller of Maryland.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

In 2006, William Donald Schaefer, running for a third term as Maryland State Comptroller, faced his first legitimate opponents in decades, putting his political career in peril.

He was attacked by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for his close relationship with Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich, who noted, "He works very hard to give the Ehrlich administration cover. I think he probably prides himself at the degree to which he helps cover up the poor performance of the governor."[1] Schaefer added to his troubles when he announced, "I don't want to adjust to another language. This is the United States. I think [immigrants to the United States] should adjust to us," at a meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works, prompted by an experience he recently had at a McDonald's restaurant. He noted later that his remarks would cause him to "likely lose all the Latin votes and all the other votes."[2] Another controversy arose in February 2006 when Schaefer made inappropriate remarks to an aide at another meeting of the Board of Public Works. As the aide brought him a cup of tea, he watched her walk away before requesting that she "walk again." Not long after the incident, Schaefer apologized to the aide, but opponent Peter Franchot remarked, "He's apologizing for the negative publicity rather than his inappropriate behavior."[3]

As the campaign progressed, Schaefer ended up in hot water yet again for remarks made about his other opponent in the Democratic primary, Janet Owens. Schaefer remarked to a columnist for The Washington Post that Owens wore "long dresses, looks like Mother Hubbard--it's sort of like she was a man." Owens later called the remarks "coarse and insulting." Schaefer addressed the controversy in a radio advertisement, where he said, "I've...said some things I shouldn't. But I never meant to offend anyone. And if I did, I apologize." Franchot joined Owens in attacking Schaefer for his remarks, adding, "It's just another example of why William Donald Schaefer should not be reelected."[4]

The Baltimore Sun endorsed Franchot for the position, observing, "[Franchot] has a strong grasps of budget intricacies and an appetite to shed light on corporate income tax loopholes...he will be a strong advocate for the interests of the taxpayer both on and off the Board of Public Works."[5]

Ultimately, Schaefer was defeated in his bid for re-election, coming in third place behind Franchot, who would later go on to win the general election in a landslide, and Owens.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Polling

width=150px Sourcewidth=125px Date width=100px Franchot (D)width=100px McCarthy (R)
Baltimore Sun/Potomac Inc.September 27, 200654%29%

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: In Schaefer, Ehrlich Has Ally Across The Aisle. The Washington Post.
  2. Web site: Dresser . Michael . Nitkin . David . May 6, 2004 . Delayed fast-food order fodder for comptroller . https://web.archive.org/web/20190402221851/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.english06may06-story.html . Apr 2, 2019 . The Baltimore Sun.
  3. News: Schaefer Apologizes to Ehrlich Aide. The Washington Post.
  4. News: Owens Assails Schaefer's Remarks. The Washington Post.
  5. Web site: Sunday News Roundup. 3 September 2006.