Bob Ehrlich
Bob Ehrlich
Maryland Republican Governor nominee?
$16.1K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age68 years old (Nov 25, 1957)
GenderMale
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LocationMaryland
BackgroundAttorney
EducationGilman School
Notable personal detailsRobert Leroy Ehrlich Jr. is an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 60th governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. He previously represented Baltimore County in the Maryland House of Delegates (1987–1994) and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 2nd District (1995–2003). He earned a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Opposes new or higher taxes, supports tax relief and pro-growth, pro-business fiscal policies, and reducing or restraining state spending rather than raising taxes.
Healthcare
Has supported market-oriented and incremental approaches to health policy, including curbing Medicaid eligibility and limiting mandates on insurers; has criticized the Affordable Care Act and expressed preference for private-market solutions rather than expanded government-run coverage. Positions reflect efforts to restrain Medicaid costs and encourage private insurance options.
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Immigration & Border
Opposes policies that grant in-state benefits to undocumented immigrants and supports state law enforcement checking immigration status in appropriate stops; favors federal-led immigration solutions while endorsing stronger enforcement measures at the state/local level. Positions include opposing in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and vetoing a state-level version of the DREAM Act during his tenure.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal access to abortion while endorsing some restrictions such as bans on certain late-term procedures and parental-notification requirements for minors. Has voted for federal measures limiting specific practices (e.g., partial-birth abortion) and supported restrictions on transporting minors for abortions while generally describing himself as pro-choice.
Climate & Energy
Held office actions supporting renewable energy and stricter power-plant pollution controls while also opposing or qualifying some regulatory measures to limit carbon dioxide and certain energy-efficiency mandates. Record includes initiatives to expand state renewable procurement and a Clean Power Rule, but also documented resistance to CO2 regulation mechanisms and vetoes of some energy-efficiency laws. Overall policy positions show support for some clean-energy and air-quality measures alongside objections to more aggressive or prescriptive regulatory approaches.
Public Safety & Guns
Bob (Robert L.) Ehrlich has opposed broad gun‑control bans and emphasized enforcement and tougher penalties for illegal gun possession (notably promoting a Project Exile approach). He has framed policy around keeping guns out of criminals’ hands through stronger prosecution and mandatory sentences while rejecting measures he characterizes as blanket bans on lawful ownership.
News
Bob Ehrlich is in the news as Maryland Republicans push tax and budget attacks against Governor Wes Moore, arguing that voters are frustrated by the state’s cost of living, taxes, and spending. GOP lawmakers are also pressing for a gas tax holiday, pointing to Georgia’s temporary fuel-tax suspension as a model, though Maryland Democrats oppose it. Separate Republican efforts in the state include criticism of a budget move tying police funding to immigration-policy compliance and broader fights over climate-liability and wealthy-tax proposals.
Progressive states revive push to tax the rich as wealth disparity deepens across the US
Maryland budget amendment ties police funding to immigration policy compliance
The Latest Front in the Battle Over Climate Lawsuits: Bills Wiping Out Liability
Data center expansion looms over midterm elections
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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