Dear Lynn,
When I announced my candidacy for Governor in October, I challenged the people in Maryland to think bigger for our state, for our future, and for our children. And I have had the privilege and honor of meeting people from every corner of this state who share my view that we don't have to settle for things the way they are.
I still believe that we can move Maryland forward to better things - that we can create a State of greatness. But today, I want to say that I will not be leading that effort.
Over the past several months, in the course of waging a vigorous and aggressive campaign, I have struggled with what has recently been diagnosed as clinical depression. At first I attributed it to the stress of the campaign, but over the past several weeks it became to clear to me, my wife Barb and our family and to my closest supporters that this was more than the usual wear and tear of the campaign trail.
My family has a history of battling this disease - and it hasn't always been easy. For people who have not suffered from this illness, or lived with a love one who does, they may not understand just how difficult this can be.
It is difficult. And it is difficult for me to announce today that I will no longer be a candidate for Governor of Maryland, but it is the right decision for me, my family and for the Democratic Party.
Earlier today I called Mayor O'Malley and told him I would support his candidacy against Governor Ehrlich. While I will continue serving the people of Montgomery County for the rest of my term, and will do what I can to help elect Democrats at every level in Maryland, I will not be a candidate on the ballot for any office this year for the first time in decades.
For twelve years, I've had the honor of serving the people of Montgomery County as their Executive - and together we've made great progress. But now it is time for me to focus on my health.
I want to thank all of the people, from all across Maryland, who have lent their support to this effort, too many to name here today. But I do want to acknowledge and thank my friend Stu Simms, a man of extraordinary integrity, depth and substance. I knew when I chose Stu as my Lt. Governor that the State of Maryland needed his kind of leadership - and I still believe that today.
Finally, I want to thank my family - my wife Barb and my children, Michael, Andrew, John, Thomas and Conor. They have stood by me through so much over the years and they are standing by me in my decision today.
Thank you for your continued support,
Doug Duncan
For more information, visit the campaign website at
www.DougDuncan.com Paid for by Authority: Friends of Doug Duncan, Robin A. Clark, Treasurer
________________________________________
Dear Mr. Duncan,
It saddens me to hear of your decision to pull your candidacy for the position of Governor of Maryland. I can't imagine how difficult these last couple of months have been for you and your family. I am praying for your complete recovery and healing. I hope you are encouraged by the many wonderful messages and posts from supporters on your website, and I hope you remember that ALL things are possible with God.
Unfortunately, I cannot follow your stead in supporting Martin O'Malley for Governor of the State of Maryland. Even more than before, I believe that O'Malley was wrong for the City of Baltimore. I could not in good conscious support his candidacy for the position of Governor of Maryland. Since I'm assuming that there will be no other viable Democrat running against O'Malley in the Primary Election, I will have to break party lines in the General Election and vote for Erlich.
