Politics & Government

Report: Brown's Race Raised by Gansler in Maryland Governor Contest

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler's campaign officials reportedly did not deny the authenticity of a recording in which Gansler said Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown's campaign is based on race.

By Sonia Su

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown is relying on race in the campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor, rival Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler told a group of campaign volunteers in a recording obtained by The Washington Post.

"I mean, right now his campaign slogan is, 'Vote for me, I want to be the first African-American governor of Maryland,' " Gansler said in the recording. "That's a laudable goal, but you need a second sentence: 'Because here's what I've done, and here's why I've done it.' "

Gansler campaign officials did not deny the authenticity of the 30-minute audio recording of the July 15 meeting, according to the Post. However, they did accuse the Brown campaign of illegally recording the meeting.

Justin Schall, Brown's campaign manager, said the campaign had "nothing to do with this. The only one responsible for Gansler's comments is Doug Gansler."

Gansler said in the recording that he plans to name an African-American running mate from Baltimore or Prince George's County. Gansler also argued that he is better positioned to win than Brown because no lieutenant governor of Maryland has ever been elected governor, and that he could win more of the black vote than Brown in the primary, according to the Post.

Listen to the recordings on The Washington Post.


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