Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler released a gubernatorial campaign video via Twitter on Thursday, Sept. 19, ahead of his official announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
His challengers include Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and running mate Ken Ulman, who currently serves as Howard County Executive, and state delegate Heather Mizeur, a democrat who represents the 20th District in Montgomery County. Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-2), who also served as Baltimore County’s executive from 1994 until 2002, is considering running.
While cyber security is a big issue for Gansler, his spokesman said this video, which is posted on YouTube, shows social media in a positive light.
“There’s an acknowledgement that social media and online platforms are incredibly valuable tools for getting out your message,” Bob Wheelock, Gansler’s spokeman, said.
The video is an effort to try to reach a broad audience and a younger audience, he said.
The video starts with a segment on Charm City Lacrosse, an organization started five years by Gansler as a program for inner-city youth who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to play the sport. A participant says “Coach Doug” was encouraging and helped instill confidence in the players.
The video feature testimonials from police, domestic violence advocates and elected officials. It talks about how Gansler changed the way the court system handles domestic violence, his record in marriage equality – he was the first elected official in Maryland to endorse it – cyber security and his going after predatory lenders. It ends with Gansler talking about helping working- and middle-class Marylanders, jobs and ensuring children have equal education opportunities.
“I think that’s what government’s supposed to do: to help create a level playing field so all people in Maryland will have access and the opportunity to excel or to reach their potential,” he says.