Franchot Mulls Run For Governor

Comptroller Peter Franchot is weighing a run for governor in 2022, he told supporters in an email Wednesday.

"If I decide to run for governor, I will work for every vote and every dollar to ensure a successful campaign," Franchot wrote. "As I continue these discussions with friends, supporters, and Marylanders across our state, my finance team is working diligently to raise money for my campaign."

The Democrat has been Maryland's comptroller since 2007. Before that, he served for 20 years in the House of Delegates. As comptroller, he's pushed for requiring schools to open after Labor Day and looser restrictions on craft beer sales in Maryland.

In an interview, Franchot said a number of Marylanders have asked him to consider running for governor, something he called a "highly personal decision." Franchot said he expects to come to a decision late next year.

"I'm pretty amazed at the number of people around the state who say to me, Would you at least consider it?' So yeah, I am considering it," Franchot said.

Franchot has gotten along with Maryland's term-limited Republican governor, Larry Hogan, since Hogan took office in 2015, frequently siding with Hogan on the Board of Public Works. He said he believes his closeness with Hogan has unsettled political insiders.

"I think frankly the relationship that I have, the positive relationship with Gov. Hogan is probably a plus obviously as far as folks outside the, even in the Democratic party," Franchot said.

However, Franchot said he and Hogan have not discussed the 2022 campaign.

Franchot's most recent campaign finance report, filed in January, shows $1 million in his campaign's bank account. Franchot is asking supporters to help raise an additional $22,000 by Labor Day. However, Franchot said the amount raised won't necessarily influence his decision to run.

Franchot would be the first Democrat to officially announce their candidacy for the 2022 race, should he do so.