Maryland supporters of legalizing slot machines have had an outspoken
champion in Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., but some key gambling enthusiasts
are now putting their money behind his Democratic opponent in the race for
governor. Campaign records show that donations have started going to
Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, who has pledged to support a limited
gambling plan that would allow slot machines at Maryland racetracks. Slot
supporters say O’Malley might have better luck persuading gambling opponents
in the Democrat-controlled House of Delegates to ease their resistance.
“It’s my view that, from a political standpoint, anyone in the governor’s
office that’s a Democrat may have a better chance to deliver on slots,” said
Tom Bowman, a veterinarian and horse breeder who served as president of the
Maryland Horse Breeders Association during the years when Ehrlich pushed
hardest to expand legalized gambling. Although Bowman said he has held back
from giving to either candidate so far this year, as have many of the
largest gambling donors, he confirmed that several high-profile advocates
who backed Ehrlich four years ago have turned up at O’Malley fundraisers.
Several key players have started hedging their bets. The Thoroughbred
Breeders and Horsemen’s political action committee, for instance, has given
$3,000 to each candidate. Joseph A. DeFrancis, who owns shares of Pimlico
Race Course and Laurel Park, was a major supporter of Ehrlich’s in the
aftermath of the 2002 campaign. He donated $2,000 to O’Malley in August and
attended a fundraiser for him last week.

Ehrlich raised more than $60,000 from gambling interests from 2002 to 2004
while he was pushing the General Assembly to approve his sweeping slots
plan. During the past two years, though, O’Malley started closing the gap,
raising more than $12,000 as Ehrlich took in $30,000.

Ehrlich said that he has seen evidence of the change and that it bothers
him.

“They’re playing both sides,” he said. “I’ve been saying it for four years:
Left-leaning groups don’t play that way. We shouldn’t either. People should
be supporting those who agree with their platform.”

Asked whether he understood their reasoning — that a Democratic governor
might be more successful working with the legislature to pass slots —
Ehrlich said he did not.

“If you took that approach, you’d never elect a Republican governor,” he
said.

Ehrlich’s closest advisers have tried to fight back.