Equality Maryland , the state's leading gay rights political action committee, has endorsed Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown's candidacy to become the next governor of Maryland, even though Del. Heather Mizeur is trying to become the first openly gay governor of the state.

Carrie Evans, Equality Maryland's executive director, said Lt. Gov. Brown and his running mate Howard County Executive Ken Ulman would be the most effective at advancing the group's issues. The group also praised Mizeur and Attorney General Doug Gansler for their support.

"Equality Maryland's PAC has worked since 2006 to help elect individuals who will fight for LGBT equality. It is remarkable that seven years later, we have come to a point where all three Democratic candidates for Governor are enthusiastically supportive of LGBT issues," Chairman Tim Williams said in a news release.