Maryland State Wire

Despite his long-time association and friendship with Gov. Larry Hogan, long-time Democrat, retired circuit court judge and Montgomery County prosecutor Michael Algeo said during a recent interview that he never expected to endorse a Republican gubernatorial bid for re-election.

"I never imagined I would be endorsing a Republican for governor, particularly with who we have in the White House, who I consider an embarrassment," Algeo said during a Maryland State Wire email interview. "But Larry Hogan is different."

Hogan, now well into his first term as the 62nd governor of Maryland, and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford announced their re-election bids in February.

"I know the man well and what you see is what you get," he said. "He is sincere, genuine and committed to making a real difference in Maryland. His 70 percent approval rating isn't just a popularity contest but it is a reflection of the achievements he has made as governor in just four years."

Algeo referred to Hogan's policies in support of addressed education, the environment, infrastructure, crime, the opioid crisis, senior citizens, and more as part of why he decided to endorse Algeo's re-election bid. 

"He has made a sincere and genuine effort to  reach across the aisle to work with leaders in our legislature," Algeo said. "He has moved Maryland forward during his administration and I hope he gets the opportunity to do more in a second term."

Algeo's endorsement of Hogan was one of 15 from Democrat politicians that the Hogan campaign announced in a press release last month in his re-election bid against his Democrat challenger, former NAACP president Ben Jealous. Other endorsements came from former House of Delegates Speaker Casper Taylor Jr.; former House Of Delegates Speaker Pro Tempore Dennis Donaldson; Bowie City Councilman Henri Gardner; Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson; and Hurlock Mayor Michael Henry.

Those endorsements brought to 40 the number of current and former elected Democrat officials who have endorsed Hogan, according to the July press release.

Algeo, now special counsel to Montgomery County state's attorney and felony trial team leader in Montgomery County Circuit Court, was a circuit court judge from 2004 until he retired from that bench in 2014. In November 2016, Hogan appointed Algeo to chair the state's racing commission. Algeo also is an adjunct professor at Washington College of Law of American University and Montgomery College.

Algeo said he met Hogan during the administration of former Gov. Bob Ehrlich. "I have known Gov. Hogan since 2004 when he was appointment secretary for Gov. Ehrlich," Algeo said. "He was very supportive and helpful when I was seeking an appointment to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County."

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Algeo was notably active in the Democratic Party, where he was precinct chair and among the founders of the Democratic Lawyers Club. "Most of my friends in the Democratic Party know that I am close with Gov. Hogan so they understand and respect my position," Algeo said. "Of course, there are always some ... LOL."

Algeo said that sort of response is to be expected, but he also noted that Hogan has a significant amount of silent support among Democrats in the state.

"Honestly, I have had a significant number of elected Democrats who have told me that they are supporting him but, for obvious reasons, they can't formally endorse him," Algeo said. "Our County Executive in Montgomery County, Ike Leggett, has worked closely with the governor on a number of important initiatives. And as you know, Mr Leggett has not endorsed the Democratic candidate for governor."

In addition to seeing eye-to-eye in the public sphere, Algeo said he and Hogan "share something more important than politics" that contributes to the bond between them. 

"We were both diagnosed with cancer and battled an opponent far more challenging than Mr. Jealous," Algeo said. "I thank God that we both have done well in treatment and are cancer-free."