Montgomery News

Democratic Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman said endorsing a Republican's gubernatorial bid for re-election wasn't something he ever planned to do.

However, Ashman endorsed incumbent Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's re-election bid last month.

"Four years ago, when Larry Hogan came on the scene, I honestly didn't know what to think of him - and I certainly didn’t foresee my supporting him," Ashman told the Montgomery News. "But, over these four years, I've watched him do good work. He has moved his  economic-focused agenda forward and, at the same time, in many cases, worked with Democrats to allow them to  move the more centrist parts of their agenda forward as well. It's an impressive record. So, while I didn't necessarily expect to be endorsing a Republican for governor, I think it's the right thing to do. I think he has earned a second term."

Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman

Ashman said he isn't the only Democrat in Maryland to warm up to Hogan. "The Democratic Party is a big umbrella party, as they say, so there is a whole spectrum of different responses," he said.

"The more progressive and party-oriented Democrats tend to disagree with me entirely," he said. "But, you might be surprised at how many moderate Dems are giving Gov. Hogan serious consideration. While they may not come out and publicly endorse him, privately there are many who would consider voting for him."

Hogan is well into his first term as the 62nd Governor of Maryland, having been inaugurated in January 2015 following his win over then-Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for the seat of incumbent Democrat Gov. Martin O'Malley. O'Malley had reached his two-term limit and could not run again.

Hogan is only the second Republican governor to be elected in the state in almost 50 years and the first from Anne Arundel County to be elected in more than 100 years.

Hogan and Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford announced their re-election bids in February.

Ashman, who was re-elected Mayor of Gaithersburg in November, cautioned that his endorsement of Hogan's re-election "is a reflection of my own personal support" and not on behalf of the City of Gaithersburg or its City Council.

Ashman's endorsement of Hogan was one of 15 from Democrat politicians that the Hogan campaign announced in a press release in July regarding his re-election bid against Democratic challenger and former NAACP president Ben Jealous. Other endorsements came from former House of Delegates Speaker Casper Taylor Jr., former House Of Delegates Speaker Pro Tempore Dennis Donaldson, Bowie City Councilman Henri Gardner, Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson and Hurlock Mayor Michael Henry.

Those endorsements brought to 40 the number of current and former elected Democratic officials who have endorsed Hogan, according to the July press release.

Ashman admitted his reasons for supporting Hogan are a bit complex.

"I'm a Democrat because the Democrats are strong on what’s fundamentally most important to me: civil and individual rights - pro choice, marriage equality, reasonable gun restrictions, etc. Gov. Hogan is, at varying degrees, either supportive, or, at the very least, doing nothing to stand in the way of or infringe on these fundamental rights," Ashman said.

Hogan's "biggest focus" is on the state's jobs and economy, Ashman said. "And I think that's exactly what our state needs to be focused on," he said.

"We all enjoy great services and facilities in Maryland. In order to pay for those services, we need the tax revenue that’s generated from a strong economy and job growth," Ashman said. "This has been a big priority for Gov. Hogan, and I entirely agree. Our state needs to nurture its business environment."

Hogan also "has done a good job" of reaching across the aisle to work with Democrats, Ashman said. "Working together, both Hogan and his Democratic colleagues in the General Assembly have gotten a lot done," he said.

"Sure, there are going to be disagreements on some of the more progressive issues, but, by and large, on education, the environment, public safety and transportation, they’ve  gotten a lot done," Ashman said. "I know first hand how proud members of our county delegation are of the things they’ve gotten passed  over these last four years. They should be."

In addition, Ashman said "Gov. Hogan has done a good job distancing himself from Donald Trump."

"This is important to me," he said. "I'm honestly disgusted with the politics of our President and our Congressional Republicans. I see Gov. Hogan's leadership as a repudiation of that kind of toxic partisanship. If you're disturbed by the direction of the Republican Party, as I am, one way to counteract is to elect good Republicans. We have one of those in Larry Hogan."

Gaithersburg also has benefited from Hogan's time as governor, Ashman said.

"This year, the governor supported all of Maryland's municipalities by signing the bill to restore our share of Highway User Revenues," Ashman said. "These are funds that come from tolls and taxes that are supposed to be passed through to local jurisdictions and used for maintaining our road infrastructure. However, during the recession, this revenue stream was diverted to the state's general fund, leaving the local jurisdictions high and dry. The restoration of HURs this year represents millions of dollars to local jurisdictions, including Gaithersburg, so we can provide better services and maintain our facilities for all."

Ashman said Gaithersburg also benefited from Hogan's support of the new I-270 Watkins Mill Interchange, which is currently under construction. Ashman also said he was proud of Hogan's attempts to address Maryland's opioid crisis and his collaboration with Democrats on environmental issues.

"The bottom line is, for the past four years, the governor and the General Assembly have been very productive," Ashman said. "Everyone's agendas are moving forward. The citizens are well-represented. Let's re-elect our governor and our legislative teams and keep moving forward."