Md. Gubernatorial Candidates Vie For The Support Of Women Voters
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—As the campaign for governor heats up, the candidates are vying for every vote, and now it appears both Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Larry Hogan are focusing on women.
Political reporter Pat Warren asked the candidates about women's voter influence.
As you've probably noticed, it's issues that appeal to women that are dominating campaign ads right now.
A campaign confrontation centers on women's rights in Maryland.
"Hogan opposes a woman's right to choose. He wants to ban abortions even in cases of rape and incest," a Brown ad says
"Let me tell you about my dad, Larry Hogan. He's the only candidate who favors over-the-counter birth control covered by insurance," a Hogan ad says..
Hogan's answer to the Brown ad hit the air Friday, featuring one of his three daughters.
"My wife and my three daughters have really been hurt by the lies and these terrible attacks from my opponent," Hogan said.
The reproductive rights issue is one of several directed to women voters.
"Particularly in the state of Maryland, where women vote at a higher rate than men do and a lot of the issues pertaining to women and families will be important for this election," said John Bullock, Towson University political science professor.
The candidates would agree.
"Women in Maryland certainly play such an important role," said Brown, Democrat candidate for governor. "I think our families are stronger, our economy is stronger, our society is stronger when women are doing well. So, sure, we've been speaking to issues that are important to women. Women's issues are family issues."
"The women's vote is very important," said Hogan, Republican candidate for governor. "It's something that we're working very hard to earn the respect and vote of every single woman. Women are suffering out there today. Almost 100,000 women have lost their jobs. A lot of women are making the financial decisions in their households, and they're struggling."
"The typical minimum wage earner is a 33-year-old single mom. That's why we fight to raise the minimum wage to help her kind of boost herself up," Brown said.
"I think many of the issues we're talking about directly speak to the women of Maryland," Hogan said.
That includes Hogan's latest ad featuring his daughter.
"He's committed to not change the current Maryland law on choice," Hogan's daughter says in the ad.
"I can see why Mr. Hogan is running from the facts here," Brown said.
It's a running debate. Voters will make the choice.
A recent New York Times/CBS News poll gives Brown an edge among women voters.
If you haven't already registered you have until Oct. 14 to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election.
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