He plans to set up an exploratory committee in the summer.
A local elected official is eying the Maryland Governor's Mansion. Frederick County Commissioners' President Blaine Young says he's considering a run for the State's Chief Executive.
He released a statement Thursday in which says he's "uneasy" about what's happening in Annapolis, especially with all of the tax increases and fees being considered by legislators and the governor. "People, Marylanders, whether they're Democrats, Republicans or independents, are tired of all these taxes and fees," he says.
In his statement, he accuses the Democratic majorities of "crafting bill after bill to restrict our ability to grow our county and municipal economies, and to suck more money out of our bank accounts and send it to Annapolis so they can pass it on to their liberal constituencies and campaign contributors."
"If you're tired of all these taxes and regulations," he says, "Well, then if you vote for myself for governor, I'll veto any tax and fee proposals, and any burdensome regulation." He says he can't remember any instance where the Maryland General Assembly overrode a governor's veto of any tax increases.
Young says he has been approached by friends and supporters who have encouraged him to run for governor. He says he will set up an exploratory committee this summer, and begin raising money.
Even though the next gubernatorial race in Maryland is not until 2014, he does not feel it's too early to begin planning for a run for the governor's mansion. "Not when you have four candidates on the Democrat side that all have a considerable amount of money," Young says. He identifies them as Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Comptroller Peter Franchot. All four have been mentioned as possible gubernatorial candidates.
The last Republican to serve as Governor was Bob Ehrlich, who was elected in 2002, but defeated in 2006 by current Governor Martin O'Malley.
In addition to serving as County Commissioner, Young also hosts a radio show on WFMD. "People try to paint me as rough around the edges, or being arrogant. And that's because I'm as transparent as it is. That's not being arrogant. That's being transparent," he says.
