Ehrlich spokesperson on 2010 election: ‘It’s still too early to say’

Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich: Getty Images PhotoDespite increasing chatter about who might be Maryland's next governor, Henry Fawell, a spokesperson for former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), told PolitickerMD.com today that it is "still too early to say" if Ehrlich will seek the Republican nomination in 2010.

"He is very busy building the law firm and hitting the speaking circuit," Fawell said about Ehrlich, who served as governor from 2003-2007 and was defeated in the 2006 election by current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D).

In February, 2007, Ehrlich joined the firm Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, as a founder of their Baltimore office.

Fawell said the former governor has not "set a specific time frame" to publicly declare his intentions for 2010.

Speculation suggesting Ehrlich may seek his old job has intensified since the January release of a Washington Times/Rasmussen poll showed O'Malley with a state-wide approval rating of 33 percent. That rating had slightly improved to 37 percent by March, according to a survey conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies.

Calling the 2010 election "a lifetime from now," Fawell said Ehrlich's political focus would currently reside with assisting state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) on their congressional and presidential campaigns.

In addition, in an interview published today by the conservative magazine Human Events, Michael Steele, Ehrlich's lieutenant governor, said he was "intrigued by the idea of running for governor [in 2010]."

Asked for his thoughts on a potential Ehrlich/Steele primary battle, Fawell said it was "too early to speculate." He had a similar response when asked if Ehrlich would support Steele if the former lieutenant governor enters the race but Ehrlich does not.

In the meantime, Fawell said Ehrlich would continue to host a Saturday morning radio show with his wife, Kendel. The program is broadcast on WBAL Radio AM 1090 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

He also said Ehrlich would be "working very closely" with the Harris campaign in Maryland's First Congressional District.

"It's a strong district that includes a good portion of (Ehrlich's) former congressional district," Fawell said. "(Ehrlich) knows the district."

Ehrlich represented Maryland's Second Congressional District from 1995-2003.

On the presidential campaign, Fawell said Ehrlich expected McCain's "independent thinking" would "play well" in Maryland, but acknowledged that The Free State is "always an uphill battle" for a Republican candidate.

Asked to discuss the major issues facing the residents of Maryland, Fawell said the former governor "shares the concern of the majority of Marylanders in regards to the tax increases and electricity increases."

Still, Fawell would only say that "time will tell" if Ehrlich seeks the gubernatorial nomination.