The 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Maryland. Incumbent Democratic governor Martin O'Malley was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term.

Gubernatorial candidates pick their running mates, with the two then running together on the same ticket. Primary elections were held on June 24, 2014. The Democrats nominated incumbent lieutenant governor Anthony Brown and Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman, while the Republicans nominated former State Secretary of Appointments Larry Hogan, and former State Secretary of General Services and former Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for Administration Boyd Rutherford.

Brown predicted that winning the general election would be just "a little bit of a molehill", but he lost to Hogan by a margin of 65,510 votes in the Democratic-leaning state. The Washington Post called the result "a stunning upset" and Republican Governors Association Chair Chris Christie called it "the biggest upset in the entire country." As of 2026, this is the last Maryland gubernatorial election where the winner received less than 55% of the votes. In 2022, Brown ran successfully for Maryland attorney general after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023.

Background Maryland is considered one of the most Democratic states in the country, and Bob Ehrlich, elected in 2002, had been the only Republican elected governor of Maryland since Spiro Agnew in 1966. Ehrlich was defeated for reelection in 2006 by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and lost a rematch with O'Malley by a wider margin in 2010.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared Anthony Brown, lieutenant governor of Maryland Running mate: Kenneth Ulman, Howard County executive Doug Gansler, attorney general of Maryland Running mate: Jolene Ivey, state delegate Ralph Jaffe, teacher and perennial candidate Running mate: Freda Jaffe, sister of Ralph Jaffe Heather Mizeur, state delegate Running mate: Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church Charles U. Smith, perennial candidate Running mate: Clarence Tucker Cindy Walsh, blogger Running mate: Mary Elizabeth Wingate-Pennacchia

Declined John Delaney, U.S. representative (ran for re-election) Peter Franchot, comptroller of Maryland (ran for re-election) Dutch Ruppersberger, U.S. representative (ran for re-election) Kenneth Ulman, Howard County executive (ran for lieutenant governor on Anthony Brown's ticket)

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AnthonyBrown PeterFranchot DougGansler HeatherMizeur KennethUlman Other UndecidedWashington PostWashington Post June 5–8, 2014 487 ± 5% 46% — 23% 16% — — 16%Baltimore SunBaltimore Sun May 31 – June 3, 2014 499 ± 4.4% 41% — 20% 15% — — 15%WPA Opinion Research**WPA Opinion Research** May 6–7, 2014 ? ± ? 34% — 20% 7% — 3% 40%St. Mary's CollegeSt. Mary's College April 10–13, 2014 502 ± ? 27.1% — 10.8% 7.7% — — 54.3%Washington PostWashington Post February 13–16, 2014 469 ± 5.5% 34% — 15% 8% — — 43%Baltimore SunBaltimore Sun February 8–12, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 35% — 14% 10% — — 40%Gonzales ResearchGonzales Research October 1–14, 2013 403 ± 5% 40.7% — 21.1% 5.2% — — 33%GarinHartYang*GarinHartYang* September 11–15, 2013 608 ± 4% 43% — 21% 5% — — 31% 46% — 24% — — — 30%WPA Opinion Research** September 10–11, 2013 ? ± ? 40% — 22% 7% — — 38%NormingtonPets^NormingtonPets^ December 3–5, 2012 ? ± 4.4% 22% 13% 8% — 4% — 53%GarinHartYang*GarinHartYang* September 12–13, 2012 504 ± 4.4% 31% 14% 18% — 4% — 33% 37% — 23% — 5% — 35% 41% — 25% — — — 34% ** Internal poll for the Larry Hogan campaign * Internal poll for the Anthony Brown campaign ^ Internal poll for the Peter Franchot campaign

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared David R. Craig, Harford County executive Running mate: Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, state delegate Ron George, state delegate Running mate: Shelley Aloi, banking analyst and former Frederick alderman Larry Hogan, former state secretary of appointments Running mate: Boyd Rutherford, former state secretary of general services and former assistant U.S. secretary of agriculture for administration Charles Lollar, former chairman of the Charles County Republican Central Committee and nominee for Maryland's 5th congressional district in 2010 Running mate: Kenneth R. Timmerman, investigative reporter, conservative activist and nominee for Maryland's 8th congressional district in 2012

Disqualified Brian Vaeth, businessman, retired firefighter and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 Running mate: Duane "Shorty" Davis, activist

Withdrew Blaine Young, president of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners

Declined Dan Bongino, former United States Secret Service agent and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (ran for Congress) Nancy Jacobs, state senator John R. Leopold, former Anne Arundel County executive Marty Madden, former state senator Meyer Marks, political activist E. J. Pipkin, minority leader of the Maryland Senate and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004 Michael Steele, former lieutenant governor, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006 and former chairman of the Republican National Committee

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DavidCraig RonGeorge LarryHogan CharlesLollar Other UndecidedWashington Post June 5–8, 2014 228 ± 7.5% 19% 5% 35% 13% 3% 29%Baltimore Sun May 31 – June 3, 2014 501 ± 4.4% 12% 6% 27% 12% — 37%St. Mary's College April 10–13, 2014 270 ± ? 7.8% 3.8% 16% 3.8% — 68.6%Washington Post February 13–16, 2014 290 ± 7% 13% 4% 17% 10% 1% 57%Baltimore Sun February 8–12, 2014 499 ± 4.4% 7% 6% 13% 5% — 69%

Debate + 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election Republican primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn David R. Craig Ron George Larry Hogan Charles Lollar1 Jun. 6, 2014 Maryland Public TelevisionYouTube

Results

General election

Candidates Anthony Brown (Democratic Party), lieutenant governor of Maryland Running mate: Kenneth Ulman, Howard County executive Larry Hogan (Republican Party), former state secretary of appointments Running mate: Boyd Rutherford, former state secretary of general services, and former assistant U.S. secretary of agriculture for administration Shawn Quinn (Libertarian Party), candidate for the House of Delegates in 2010 Running mate: Lorenzo Gaztanaga, perennial candidate

Campaign Hogan heavily criticized Brown for his handling of Maryland's health care exchange as a part of the Affordable Care Act, labeling him as "the most incompetent man in Maryland." The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange enrolled fewer than 4,000 people.

Hogan avoided social issues by promising not to touch the state's abortion or gun control laws. Campaign ads were a significant part of the first debate, culminating in Hogan's call for Brown to "apologize to the women of Maryland for trying to scare them."

Brown pledged no new taxes, no increased taxes, and a look at state spending if elected. Hogan responded by citing O'Malley/Brown's same claim in the 2010 election and how that claim was followed by "40 consecutive tax hikes." Brown said there have been times he has disagreed with O'Malley, like on mortgage reduction. "Brown did not stay to take questions from reporters", and both candidates accused the other of not telling the truth.

Debates Complete video of debate, October 7, 2014 – C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 18, 2014 – YouTube

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror AnthonyBrown (D) LarryHogan (R) Other UndecidedWPA Opinion Research*WPA Opinion Research* October 20–24, 2014 500 ± 3.5% 39% 44% — 17%Gonzales ResearchGonzales Research October 20–24, 2014 822 ± 3.5% 46% 44% 2%Shawn Quinn (L) 18%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 1,086 ± 5% 51% 38% 0% 11%WPA Opinion Research*WPA Opinion Research* October 19–20, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 42% 41% — 15%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 6–9, 2014 784 ± 3.5% 46% 43% — 11%Baltimore Sun October 4–8, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 49% 42% — 9%Washington Post October 2–5, 2014 549 LV ± 5% 47% 38% 4% 11% 807 RV ± 4% 44% 31% 6% 19%CBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 1,096 ± 4% 55% 38% 1% 7%Gonzales ResearchGonzales Research September 16–23, 2014 805 ± 3.5% 47% 43% 1% 9%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 1,082 ± 4% 51% 37% 3% 10%OnMessage, Inc.*OnMessage, Inc.* August 18–19, 2014 500 ± 4.38 45% 42% 4% 9%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 1,409 ± ? 52% 39% 2% 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 9–10, 2014 750 ± 4% 48% 35% 7% 10%Washington Post June 5–8, 2014 962 ± 3.5% 51% 33% — 16%WPA Opinion Research* May 6–7, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 42% 35% — 23%WPA Opinion Research* September 10–11, 2013 ? ± ? 46% 32% — * Internal poll for the Larry Hogan campaign

Results

By county Source: County Brown Votes Hogan Votes Others Votes Totals Allegany 22.60% 4,629 75.25% 15,410 2.14% 439 20,478 Anne Arundel 32.16% 58,001 66.10% 119,195 1.74% 3,142 180,338 Baltimore 38.89% 102,734 59.03% 155,936 2.07% 5,473 264,143 Baltimore City 75.50% 106,213 21.92% 30,845 2.58% 3,628 140,686 Calvert 29.11% 9,579 69.11% 22,739 1.78% 586 32,904 Caroline 20.97% 1,931 77.58% 7,144 1.44% 133 9,208 Carroll 16.07% 10,349 82.20% 52,951 1.74% 1,119 64,419 Cecil 20.43% 5,467 77.33% 20,699 2.24% 600 26,766 Charles 51.83% 24,601 46.91% 22,268 1.26% 600 47,469 Dorchester 30.51% 3,252 68.26% 7,276 1.24% 132 10,660 Frederick 34.57% 27,682 63.34% 50,715 2.09% 1,675 80,072 Garrett 17.80% 1,634 79.71% 7,319 2.49% 229 9,182 Harford 21.66% 19,814 76.52% 69,986 1.82% 1,660 91,460 Howard 46.68% 49,227 51.54% 54,353 1.78% 1,873 105,453 Kent 33.56% 2,603 64.58% 5,009 1.86% 144 7,756 Montgomery 61.81% 163,694 36.75% 97,312 1.44% 3,813 264,819 Prince George's 84.23% 184,950 14.86% 32,619 0.91% 2,003 219,572 Queen Anne's 19.34% 3,757 79.46% 15,436 1.20% 233 19,426 St. Mary's 25.20% 8,203 72.72% 23,675 2.09% 679 32,557 Somerset 31.86% 2,135 66.38% 4,448 1.16% 78 6,701 Talbot 29.03% 4,420 69.72% 10,616 1.25% 190 15,226 Washington 24.89% 9,661 73.33% 28,469 1.78% 691 38,821 Wicomico 34.07% 8,833 64.30% 16,669 1.63% 422 25,924 Worcester 28.85% 5,521 69.35% 13,271 1.80% 345 19,137

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Baltimore County (largest municipality: Dundalk) Howard (largest municipality: Columbia)

By congressional district Hogan won five of eight congressional districts, including four that elected Democrats. District Brown Hogan Representative 20% 78%Andy Harris 41% 57%Dutch Ruppersberger 43% 55%John Sarbanes 65% 34%Donna Edwards 51% 47%Steny Hoyer 40% 58%John Delaney 60% 38%Elijah Cummings 49% 50%Chris Van Hollen

See also 2014 United States elections 2014 Maryland Attorney General election 2014 Maryland Comptroller election

References

External links Maryland gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia

Official campaign websites (archived) Larry Hogan for Governor Anthony Brown for Governor David R. Craig for Governor Doug Gansler for Governor Ron George for Governor Ralph Jaffe for Governor Charles Lollar for Governor Heather Mizeur for Governor Brian Vaeth for Governor Cindy Walsh for Governor