Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris was in the news this past week analyzing the race for Maryland governor. As the campaign gains steam, Norris was interviewed by WJZ Channel 13 and the Baltimore Sun.

As more negative campaign ads emerge between Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Republican opponent Larry Hogan, Norris told WJZ that, “attack ads we know three or four things about. One of them is they work, which is why candidates and their campaigns use them,” said Norris. He also discussed the ads as a potential way to drive more voter turnout: “I know that both camps are trying to get as much turnout as they can. Whether they’re going to be successful or not, I don’t know,” Norris said.

Norris was interviewed by the Baltimore Sun about Larry Hogan accusing Anthony Brown of “blatant lies” and “disgraceful” attack ads, saying Hogan’s complaints could backfire: “Anthony Brown is a real likable guy,” said Norris. “Calling him a liar can just inflame his supporters, and that means higher turnout. It also makes [Hogan] look awfully thin-skinned. Politics, after all, is a combat sport.”

In a Baltimore Sun article focusing on differences on transportation issues between the two candidates, Norris said Brown and Hogan are “polar opposites” on transportation issues as they vie for the support of Maryland voters. Their divergent views matter because Maryland’s governor has the budgetary authority to decide whether a major transportation project goes forward — or not. “Voters have got a really, really clear choice in this election,” Norris said.

Complete coverage can be found below:
Attack Ads Continue as Election Day Nears (WJZ)
Hogan accuses Brown of ‘blatant lies’ and ‘disgraceful’ attack ads (Baltimore Sun)
Governor candidates are on separate tracks (Baltimore Sun)

Tags: CAHSS, PublicPolicy