Ehrlich Tours Frederick Day After Heated Debate for MD Governor Seat

FOUR STATE - Two big political candidates visited the four state area on Tuesday.

West Virginia Senate candidate John Raese was in Inwood, W. Va. and former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich spent part of the day in Frederick, Md.

"It's one of the 'Big 5,' Frederick in addition to Caroll, Harford, Anne Arundel, Baltimore counties," says Ehrlich.  "These are large subdivisions around Baltimore and obviously we're going to do well in those counties.  We need to do well in those counties."

Ehrlich has been behind in some of the recent polls and he's coming off of this election year's first televised debate.

Both candidates for Governor of Maryland used their first debate of this election season  to address the economy, taxes, education and job creation.

"The truth of the matter is we have actually created over 33,000 new jobs," says Governor Martin O'Malley (D).  "That's not me saying that, that's the Bureau of Labor statistics."

The format allowed both incumbent O'Malley and Republican challenger Ehrlich the chance to go in-depth on several political issues.

While both had different ideas on how the state should be run, each enjoyed the opportunity to address voters

"I thought it was a lively exchange of ideas about the future of our state," O'Malley said.

"It was a good debate because we could clash on issues," says Ehrlich.  "You could think about what I said, what Martin had to say, not just some 30-second attack ad or soundbyte.

Things became heated when the so-called "attack ads" between the candidates were brought up. 

"The negative ads in regards to issues are fine," says Ehrlich.  "Negative ads that cross the line that go into personality or personal are not fine.

It's one debate down, but there's no shortage of issues to discuss as the general election approaches.

The two candidates will debate again this Thursday.