Former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich has left his weekly show on WBAL-AM Baltimore following Saturday’s program. Whether he returns is now up to the voters.
Democrats had been livid over the ex-governor continuing to broadcast even as he prepared to run against Governor Martin O’Malley (D) to reclaim the office. But the state’s attorney general ruled in May that the radio show did not constitute an illegal in-kind campaign contribution by Hearst Broadcasting because Ehrlich was not an officially declared candidate. That is now about to change.
The deadline to file for this year’s election in Maryland in July 6th. Since WBAL will be in special programming for the July 4th weekend, last Saturday was the final show for Ehrlich, who does indeed plan to file officially to run for governor.
His co-host, however, will carry on alone. That’s Kendel Ehrlich, his wife and the state’s former First Lady, who will return to the Governor’s Mansion in Annapolis if Bob Ehrlich wins his bid for election.
“It’s not a divorce dear, we’re still married,” Bob Ehrlich said as he signed off from the WBAL show. “Yes, but when will we talk?” his wife replied.
RBR-TVBR observation: The law is clear on broadcast equal time – the person has to be an actual candidate for it to apply. Ehrlich was not, but is now off the air as his campaign becomes official. In the meantime, WBAL got plenty of free publicity.
