Harford County Exec Has Company from GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls

Harford County Executive David Craig is getting some company from his fellow Republicans in the race for Maryland governor.

Though the primary isn't until June 2014, candidates have been declaring their intentions for the past few months.

Larry Hogan, who was cabinet secretary under former Gov. Bob Ehrlich, told The Washington Post Friday that he is considering running for governor after a recent spat among Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler.

“I think maybe it’s time we put the grown-ups in charge,” Hogan told The Washington Post.

Hogan, a Republican, is chair of Change Maryland, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the state's economic performance and job growth, according to a press release.

He will officially announce whether he is running for governor in September, The Washington Post said.

Charles Lollar, a Charles County businessman, told his supporters in an Aug. 8 email that he planned to run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, The Washington Post reported.

Lollar is a Marine Corps Reservist who chairs political action committee New Day Maryland, which promotes fiscal and social responsibility. He ran unsuccessfully for a congressional seat in 2010.

Looking forward to the 2014 election, Lollar is holding a campaign fundraiser the first week of September that he called a "money bomb," according to WJLA. He will make an official announcement of his candidacy Sept. 3 at St. Mary's College, CBS DC reports.

Others have already made clear their intentions and have been shoring up campaign funds over the summer.

Anne Arundel County Delegate Ron George, a Republican who owns jewelry stores in Annapolis and Severna Park, began fundraising in April, Annapolis Patch reported.

George officially announced his candidacy June 5 and focused on reducing government spending, lowering taxes and making Maryland more business friendly, according to MarylandReporter.com.

Harford's Craig announced his candidacy during a June 3 event in Havre de Grace. His platform includes strengthening the connection between education and the job market, reforming the tax code and environmental stewardship, according to his website.

Fellow Republican Frederick County Board of Commissioners President Blaine Young plans an Aug. 24 announcement of his gubernatorial bid, the Baltimore Business Journal reports.

Michael Steele, former chair of the Republican National Committee, is "looking at" joining the race for Maryland governor as well, according to The Huffington Post.

The primary will be June 24, 2014.