By Guy F. Smith
January 22, 2007

Martin J. O’Malley was sworn in as the 61st Governor of Maryland at the state’s capitol, Annapolis, on January 17 before a crowd that included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose father and brother were both mayors of Baltimore. O’Malley was mayor of Baltimore for the past seven years.

In his 13-minute inaugural address, O’Malley said he took office at a time of “great peril and great possibility.” His election over Republican Governor Robert Ehlrich returned Democratic one-party rule divided during the past four years between a Republican chief executive and a Democratic legislature.

Conference President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, Providence (RI) Mayor David Cicilline and Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran attended a private swearing-in ceremony before the public event for the 44-year old O’Malley, who was co-chair of the Conference of Mayors Task Force on Homeland Security. The event also drew national Democratic leaders including Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean, former Vermont Governor, and new House Majority Leader Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

Also sworn in was Lieutenant Governor Anthony Gregory Brown, O’Malley’s African-American running mate.

O’Malley gave few specifics, but pledged to make college education and health care more affordable, preserve the Chesapeake Bay and make Maryland a leader on homeland security, an issue he carries to the Governor’s mansion because of his work with the Conference of Mayors.

He said he would support tighter emissions standards for automobiles and increased oversight of electric utilities. As challenges, O’Malley said they included budget deficits, polluted waters, drug additions and crumbling infrastructure.

After the swearing-in ceremonies, an evening gala was held at the Baltimore Convention Center for 9,000 people. There, O’Malley addressed the inaugural gala and then reunited with his Celtic rock band, O’Malley’s March.