Republican Bob Ehrlich defeated Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, making him the first Republican governor of Maryland since Spiro Agnew, who served from 1967 to 1969. This was the last time Charles County voted Republican for any office.
Republican Bob Ehrlich triumphed over Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, reviving the Republican presence in Maryland politics that had been absent since Spiro Agnew's governorship from 1967 to 1969. This marked the final time Charles County voted Republican in an election for a public office.