His wife is "wildly enthusiastic" about him running for governor again. Some of his close friends are decidedly less so.

Former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s latest ruminations on 2010 were shared Tuesday during an appearance before a college class at Towson University. For Ehrlich (R), it was a familiar setting: For much of the time he has spent in public life, he has been a twice-a-year guest lecturer in the Persuasion class taught by professor Richard Vatz.

About two-thirds of the way through Tuesday's class, Vatz pressed Ehrlich on whether there was "a compelling argument" against him seeking a rematch with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), who defeated him in 2006.

Ehrlich said "yes" but then asked Vatz's students to supply arguments on both sides.

Among the reasons he was told he should run: It's important for the state to have a strong two-party system. He's very passionate about his beliefs. And he seemed knowledgeable about the issues.

Among the reasons he was told to take a pass: The Republicans could use a fresh face in the governor's race. And he should should start preparing to run against President Obama in 2012 instead.

"I think that she gets a 'A,' " Ehrich chimed in.

Ehrlich did finally offer some of his own arguments against running in response to Vatz's question, including the more than two-to-one Democratic advantage in party registration in Maryland and the expectation that O'Malley "will have a ton of money," as Ehrlich put it.

Pressed by Vatz as to whether those were "compelling arguments," Ehrlich said: "They're relevant."

Ehrlich later told reporters about the feelings of his wife, Kendel, the former first lady.

"Kendel is no secret," he said. "She's wildly enthusiastic. ... Obviously we're very close. She is my wife and my best friend."

His closest friends are divided on the question of running again, Ehrlich said. "You have some friends who are very supportive but think it's a very difficult run in this state," he said.

To be continued.

-- John Wagner

Maryland Republicans on Saturday overwhelmingly elected Audrey E. Scott, a Cabinet secretary under former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), as their new party chairwoman.

Scott, a former member of the Prince George's County Council who later served as Ehrlich's planning secretary, promised to bring "renewed vigor and excitement to our party" during an address to more than 200 delegates at a state party convention held in Bowie.

Scott takes over at a time when Maryland Republicans are feeling buoyed by the national mood but face serious financial problems and other hurdles heading into an election year in a state where Democrats enjoy a 2-to-1 advantage in party registration.

As of Saturday morning, the state GOP had less than $6,000 in the bank and more than $100,000 in outstanding bills and loans, according to a report delivered to convention delegates.

"The Republican party in Maryland is not on life support, and it is not second class," said Scott, who pledged to make fundraising and use of new technology among her leading priorities.

Scott succeeds James Pelura, an Anne Arundel County veterinarian, whose three-year tenure was marked by anemic fundraising, a slippage in party registration and infighting among state GOP leaders. In a farewell speech, Pelura urged GOP candidates to reject appeals to move toward the center, saying: "Moderation gets you nowhere."

Scott faced only nominal opposition from Daniel "the Whig Man" Vovak, a party eccentric who often appears at events in a white wig. Under a weighted balloting system, Scott won nearly 610 votes to Vovak's roughly 45.

Another candidate, Chris Cavey of Baltimore County, dropped out of the race recently, saying he wanted to avoid a divisive vote. Cavey will remain as the party's first vice chairman, a position he held under Pelura.

The party's voting methodology provoked more drama Saturday than the race for chairman itself. Delegates adopted a compromise plan that guaranteed small counties a minimum number of votes while rewarding counties with additional votes based on the strength of Republican presidential nominee John McCain's performance there last year.

After hearing speeches from Scott and Vovak, the convention supported a motion to select its new chairman by voice vote. Delegates reversed course after some chaotic debate and used ballots as originally planned.

After her victory was secured, Scott acknowledged the "tight times" the party has faced and was treated to parade of delegates bringing checks written to the state GOP account.

"I can stand down in the front with the basket, like they do in church," an effusive Scott said. "This is phenomenal. ... I don't care if it's a dollar. It's a dollar that we don't have now."

When Maryland Republicans convene this weekend, selecting a new chairman to succeed James Pelura will be foremost on the agenda. But the state convention in Bowie also should provide a showcase for the party's 2010 candidates for governor.

Firing up party activists is always an important early step in a gubernatorial bid. An enthusiastic base could be particularly important this cycle for the Republican nominee, who will face a well-funded Democratic incumbent and a steep disadvantage in party registration.

Former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), who is still mulling a rematch against Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), is scheduled to address the convention on Saturday. Aides say not to expect any major announcements, i.e. whether he has decided to run.

Former Ehrlich Cabinet secretary Larry Hogan, who has said he's running if Ehrlich doesn't, could be the most visible of the hopefuls this weekend. Hogan, Ehrlich's former appointments secretary, has booked a hospitality suite at the convention site, the Bowie Comfort Inn, on both Friday night and Saturday morning.

Del. Robert A. Costa (R-Anne Arundel) is hosting Hogan's "unity suite," where guests also can mingle with Mike Pappas, the Towson lawyer who recently dropped out of the governor's race and endorsed Hogan.

"This is a great opportunity because all the grassroots folks will be there," Hogan said of the GOP convention.

Del. Patrick L. McDonough (R-Baltimore County), who is "testing the waters" for governor, also plans to make a splash at the convention. He will hand out a flier claiming momentum in the race and highlighting his views on illegal immigration.

McDonough tells us he also has bought a "major" ad Thursday in The Washington Times that will demonstrate how serious he is about the governor's contest.

Chris Cavey, one of two leading contenders for chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, abruptly announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the race, citing a need for party unity heading into a challenging election year.

The exit of Cavey, the party's current vice chairman, appeared to clear the way for Audrey E. Scott, a member of former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s Cabinet and a former member of the Prince George's County Council.

Scott, who said this month she embraces challenges, would succeed James Pelura, who is formally stepping down next month after an embattled tenure marked by lackluster fundraising, a slip in voter registration and infighting among party leaders.

"Effective today I am withdrawing from the MDGOP Chairman's race," Cavey wrote in an email to party members. "Party unity and winning elections in 2010 is important. I will pledge to each of you to dedicate my time and effort by helping the next MDGOP Chair re-build and re-unify our party for 2010 wins. ... The current race for Chairman is very close and I fear the effects of a close race will only further serve to divide us as a party."

Cavey's decision came just days after a third contender, Annapolis marketing executive John White, put out word that he would not seek the chairmanship when the party holds its convention next month -- and instead back Scott. White, a former GOP congressional candidate, was viewed by some as the party's best potential fundraiser.

Still in the running is a fourth candidate, Daniel "The Whig Man" Vovak, who often sports a white wig in public appearances. Vovak issued a press release earlier Tuesday questioning the neutrality of the chairman of the party's nominating committee.

Cavey's email is printed below in its entirety:

Hello to the MDGOP faithful!

Over the past month I have traveled across Maryland speaking to Central Committees and Republican activists about the potential our party has in 2010. Most folks agree we have an opportunity to make gains electing Republicans and would be negligent to miss our chance by not being unified as a Party.

Last evening I listened as a group of Committee members worked through the trials and tribulations of a new voting method to be considered for the upcoming convention. It was a wonderful example of what party members should be doing, problem solving, and that made me think about the Chairman's race.

Roughly fifty-three weeks from today is the 2010 General Election, we need to be unified, in full blown campaign mode and not bickering about the past. The current race for Chairman is very close and I fear the effects of a close race will only further serve to divide us as a party.

Effective today I am withdrawing from the MDGOP Chairman's race. Party unity and winning elections in 2010 is important. I will pledge to each of you to dedicate my time and effort by helping the next MDGOP Chair re-build and re-unify our party for 2010 wins.

Thanks to each of you who have worked for my campaign and had faith in my leadership abilities. Please realize that this was not an easy decision for me to make. Long-term, however, we will be ahead of the game for our party's future and we will create more victories by working together... starting from today.

Chris Cavey

Audrey E. Scott, a member of former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s Cabinet, has emerged as a leading candidate for chairwoman of the Maryland Republican Party.

"I love a challenge, and I always rise to the occasion," said Scott, who served as planning secretary under Ehrlich (R) and is a former Republican member of the Prince George's County Council.

Whoever takes over the reigns of the state GOP next month will have a challenge on his or her hands heading into an election year. James Pelura, an Anne Arundel County veterinarian, is stepping down as chairman after a tenure marked by lackluster fundraising, a slip in voter registration and infighting among party leaders.

"As with any family, there have been some factions that have played out in the newspapers," Scott said. "That's unfortunate, but it's not insurmountable."

Others who have been eying the chairmanship include Chris Cavey of Baltimore County, currently the first vice chairman of the state GOP.

Party activists will choose their new leader at a mid-November convention.