Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, a candidate for Governor running against Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley in the Democratic primary, has unequivocally opposed a constitutional amendment that would ban marriage for same-sex couples. Equality Maryland, which is affiliated with Progressive Maryland, worked with the organization to ensure that the amendment question would be posed to all candidates seeking their endorsement. The question reads: "Right wing interests have introduced a Constitutional Amendment designed to strip the civil rights of many Maryland residents and have the state intervene in citizens' personal choices under a guise of defining marriage. Do you oppose a Maryland Constitutional Amendment to define marriage?"

Duncan answered YES. O’Malley sidestepped the issue.

Though he has been supportive of Progressive Maryland’s issues, Mayor O’Malley refused to provide ‘‘yes” or ‘‘no” answers to most of the questions.

Gov. Ehrlich did not seek Progressive Maryland’s endorsement.

An April 12 article in the Baltimore Sun highlights the likelihood that a desperate Gov. Ehrlich intends to use marriage equality as wedge issue in the upcoming election:

“Seated at a table in a State House reception room with his shirtsleeves rolled up, Ehrlich promoted those legislative initiatives he considers a personal victory – specifically stem cell research and anti-air pollution proposals. And he chastised Democrats for not allowing a ballot initiative that would codify marriage as between a man and a woman.”

Said Delegate Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) in an email to supporters: “A Democratic colleague showed me a fund-raising letter his Republican opponent sent out attacking Democrats for legalizing gay marriage in Maryland. If only that was true! They think they have a successful issue to use with the electorate. We need to prove them wrong. Please stay engaged.”

Please thank Doug Duncan for taking the lead in opposing discrimination:  doug@dougduncan.com

Martin O’Malley can be reached at:  campaign@martinomalley.com

Governor Ehrlich can be reached at:  www.gov.state.md.us/mail