The rematch in the Maryland gubernatorial race between Democratic incumbent Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich, the Republican who lost his job to O'Malley four years ago, is one of the most closely watched contests in the country.
With 30 days to go until the election, O'Malley kicked off his "On Your Side" statewide tour in the RV he nicknamed "The Katie" after his wife. He rolled in to College Park to rally University of Maryland student Democrats who are grateful that O'Malley froze their tuition.
Giuliana Kunkel said she wouldn't have been able to stay in state if not for the tuition freeze.
"Since I plan to go on to graduate school, I want to see O'Malley reelected," she said.
Other Democratic candidates may be running away from the president, but O'Malley will call on President Barack Obama to be the featured speaker at a rally at Bowie State University. O'Malley hopes the president will energize young voters and Prince George's County's African-Americans, who are overwhelmingly Democratic.
"The president is more popular in Maryland than other states," O'Malley said. "I personally thank him for keeping us out of a second deep depression. There are a lot of moms and dads in Maryland with jobs because of the president."
Ehrlich was invited to the Zimmerman family farm in Frederick County, where residents in the agriculture and horse industries gathered to discuss their problems.
"I think we're going to win," Ehrlich told the crowd. "The ag industry and equine industry is going to come back. You'll have a friend in Annapolis."
"I'm a Democrat. I'm voting for Ehrlich because I think he knows what small businesses need," said Pamela Saul, manager of Rolling Acres Farm in Montgomery County.
A televised debate between Ehrlich and O'Malley is set for Oct. 11. There are negotiations for more, but so far that's the only one scheduled.
