As Election Day in November nears, Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris has been in the news analyzing statewide races in Maryland. Norris was recently quoted in two articles in The Baltimore Sun about primary campaign spending and candidates hitting the road to visit other states.

On August 27, The Baltimore Sun published an article on June’s gubernatorial primary campaign spending, which was a record of almost $25 million. Norris noted the primaries were competitive with viable candidates in both parties and spending continues to mount: “The competitive primary helps explain part of it,” Norris said. “The rest of it is it costs more every time there’s an election.”

In an article published September 1, Norris commented on campaign visits to other states by lawmakers such as Reps. Elijah Cummings and Steny Hoyer and how they can have an impact on a close contest, especially when it comes to sending a signal to voters that the party takes the candidate seriously: “It shows that the party cares enough to send some big names, whether or not voters know who they are,” Norris said.

You can read both articles by clicking below:
Primary campaigns cost almost $25 million (Baltimore Sun)
Md. lawmakers hitting the road for the midterms (Baltimore Sun)

In the wake of Horseshoe Casino opening in Baltimore last week, The Washington Post ran an article on September 3 focusing on Governor Martin O’Malley’s ambivalence toward Maryland’s slow embrace of casino gambling. Political Science Professor and Chair Thomas Schaller was interviewed for the story and commented on what the state’s soon-to-be ­$1 billion-a-year casino industry could mean for the governor as he considers a run for the White House.

“It may not be something he wants to tout, but it’s absolutely part of his résumé,” said Schaller. “Maryland held out for a long time, and it’s now become a real player in the casino industry.”

Schaller also offered insight on what O’Malley’s ties to the casino industry could mean politically as he makes appearances in other states: “It’s hard to project an image as a progressive when you know that this will bankrupt some people and put a dent into some working-class families,” said Schaller. “It’s nice to have the tax revenue, but you wonder who’s picking up the tab.”

You can read the full story in The Washington Post titled, “Governor O’Malley brought casinos to Maryland, but that doesn’t mean he likes them,” here.

In his latest column published in The Baltimore Sun on September 2, Schaller wrote about his view that Maryland’s Republican party has been lacking a charismatic candidate since former Governor Bob Ehrlich left office. You can read the full column titled, “The GOP needs another Ehrlich,” here.

Walk In Advising Hours September 8th-12th
Got a question? Need registration clearance? Stop on by! 

Monday, September 8th
10am-11:30am & 1:30pm-3pm

Tuesday, September 9th
10am-11:30am & 1:30pm-3pm

Thursday, September 11th
10am-11:30am & 1:30pm-3pm

Friday, September 12th
10am-11:30am

Advisors are also available by appointment.

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community.

• Michele Osherow, English, Participates in the U.S. Premiere of “The Veil”
• Pres. Hrabowski Discusses Degree to Career Pathways in The Washington Post
• Niels Van Tomme, CADVC, Receives Vilcek Curatorial Fellowship

Read more at UMBC Insights!