O'MALLEY-BROWN CAMPAIGN RELEASES "TOUGH CHOICES"

O'Malley's First Television Ad Focuses on Efforts to Move Maryland Forward Put Families First During National Recession

BALTIMORE, MD (July 9, 2010) -- The O'Malley-Brown campaign released "Tough Choices" today - the first television advertisement in this year's gubernatorial election. The ad will begin running on Monday, July 12 in the Baltimore media market.

"Tough Choices" focuses on the leadership Governor O'Malley has shown in protecting the priorities of Maryland families during the worst national recession since the Great Depression - including record investments in our schools, tax credits for small businesses, a partnership at the Port of Baltimore to create new jobs, and his efforts to cut government spending by $5.6 billion.

"Governor O'Malley cut $5.6 billion in government spending to balance the state budget. He's made the tough choices to make government work better and help our small businesses and families through this recession," said campaign manager Tom Russell. "He's cut spending and reduced the size of government. He's fought for new tax credits for small business, new jobs at the Port of Baltimore, more affordable college tuition, and historic investments for our #1-ranked public school system."

The ad highlights O'Malley's efforts to dig out of the $1.7 billion budget deficit he inherited and the billions in budget cuts he made to deal with the global economic recession. But the ad also focuses on O'Malley's work with small business to create jobs, students and teachers to improve our education system and icons like the Port of Baltimore to expand and grow for the future.

The ad can be viewed at www.martinomalley.com/blog/