On Wednesday, Baltimore tech entrepreneur Alec Ross became the first prominent Maryland Democrat to announce a gubernatorial campaign against Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in 2018. Ross is a novice candidate, but as a former State Department senior advisor for innovation under Hillary Clinton who appears to be well-regarded in state Democratic politics, he could have the connections needed to raise money for what will likely be a tough campaign.
Hogan is currently one of America’s most-popular governors, but Maryland’s blue lean and Donald Trump’s potential to spark a downballot backlash have helped encourage a whole host of other Democrats to contemplate a bid against him. Prominent attorney Jim Shea has already formed an exploratory committee, while Rep. John Delaney, ex-NAACP president Ben Jealous, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, state Sen. Richard Madaleno, and several others are all considering it.