In the race for Maryland comptroller, Democrat Brooke Lierman defeated Republican Barry Glassman Tuesday, dashing the hopes of Maryland’s GOP of securing at least one statewide race.
The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday and Glassman conceded.
Glassman, who ran as a moderate, was seen as his party's best hope of securing a statewide race. Popular Republican Gov. Larry Hogan endorsed Glassman and appeared in a television ad with the Harford County executive, calling themselves “middlemen.”
However, Glassman, 60, struggled to distance himself from the ultra-right-wing candidates - gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox and Attorney General candidate Michael Peroutka – who he shared the ballot with.
Lierman, who becomes the first woman to serve as comptroller, has represented the Baltimore-based 46th District in the House of Delegates since 2015.
"We represent more than 51% of the population in this state," Lierman said Tuesday night. "And tonight, I'm humbled for the first time in our state's 200-plus year history, that we have finally elected a woman to one of our top three offices. And to all the girls and the women out there, I say I may be the first but I'm gonna make sure that I am not the last."
A resident of Fell’s Point, Lierman, 43, campaigned on bringing more investment to Baltimore through the state’s Board of Public Works, of which the comptroller is a member. During the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan, the board had no representation from Baltimore, causing the city to lose out on several high-profile state infrastructure projects.
Lierman will succeed four-term Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat who opted not to run for reelection in an unsuccessful bid for the governor.