6/28/06 O’Malley-Brown Make It Official; File Candidacy for Governor

“Fighting for Families Rally� Attended by Hundreds in Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 28, 2006)- Today in Annapolis, Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown officially filed for their candidacy in this year’s 2006 Gubernatorial election following the Fighting for Families Rally in front of the MD-DC AFL-CIO Headquarters. O’Malley and Brown marched with hundreds of supporters to the State Board of Elections to officially file their candidacy to put the governor’s office back on the side of working families.

“We are running to increase opportunities for Maryland’s hardworking families, to expand and grow our middle class, to make college education more affordable, not less, and to improve public education and public safety in every jurisdiction in our state,� said Martin O’Malley. “The hardworking people of Maryland deserve leadership that will work just as hard as they do everyday and will never stop fighting for progress.�

During the rally, O’Malley and Brown shared their vision of a transparent government with leadership that shows concern about Maryland’s struggling families.

“Marylanders have slipped backwards under the current administration that has failed to capture the vast opportunities that lie before us, because it was fighting for the big corporate interests and George Bush instead of for our families,� said O’Malley.

In front of hundreds gathered for today’s rally, Anthony Brown stated, “We are here because Maryland needs a Governor that will stand with the hard-working families of our state, instead of standing in their way. And we are here because it’s high time we put a stop to those government officials who put special interests ahead of the public interest, and corporate bottom lines ahead of the family budget.�

Following the rally, Martin O’Malley met with the Hartig Family in Arbutus, Maryland, as part of the O’Malley-Brown “kitchen table� tour to listen to the concerns of Maryland families and discuss the challenges working families face to make ends meet.

During the kitchen table talk, the Hartig family discussed the need for government to provide a safety net for families, and the affordability of college education for their two daughters. They also discussed the need for affordable housing, and the need for increased treatment and services for those suffering from mental illness and homelessness.