Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown completed a surprise comeback to political life Tuesday when he trounced former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey by nearly 8 percentage points in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District.
In 2014, Mr. Brown made a failed bid to succeed Governor Martin O’Malley after serving as his lieutenant governor for two terms. Mr. Brown was favored to beat Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, up until a few weeks before the general election that year.
A Washington Post poll from just before the June 2014 primary showed Mr. Brown ahead by 18 percent. But, Mr. Hogan ultimately defeated Mr. Brown in a blue state where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 2-to-1.
Tuesday night was Mr. Brown’s redemption song. He was the underdog, with most political watchers saying Mr. Ivey had more name recognition in Prince George’s County and a broad base of support from his time as state’s attorney.
In his concession speech at Busboys and Poets restaurant in Hyattsville, Mr. Ivey cheered on his supporters but couldn’t hold back disappointment.
“This isn’t the kind of speech I wanted to give,” he said.
Mr. Ivey threw his full support behind the former lieutenant governor, saying “this time Brown will win.”
• Ryan M. McDermott can be reached at rmcdermott@washingtontimes.com.
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