Gubernatorial Challenger Bob Ehrlich Gives Optimistic Concession Speech

Republican gubernatorial challenger Bob Ehrlich, who lost to Maryland Governor O'Malley, says the defeat means that he will now focus his energies on something besides politics.

During Ehrlich’s concession speech, he told a crowd of supporters that he was raised to fight and raised to compete, but that this loss closes a chapter in his life. He says his future plans include building up his law firm, spending more time with his family and doing some charity work.

“It’s not sad. You win, you lose and that’s the game of life, and it’s certainly the game of politics in this state. But for you, we encourage you and want you and really beg you to stay involved. This state is too good to see some of the stuff that we've seen go down here over the past few years,” Ehrlich says.

Ehrlich supporter Victoria Wilkins was in the crowd.

“It’s very depressing. [I'm] not totally surprised because Maryland is a very liberal state and I think we bucked the national trend,” she says.

Ehrlich also said there are no words to describe the dedication of supporters who donated their time throughout the gubernatorial race. And that being a Republican in Maryland is tough.