Pappas ends run for governor

By Bryan P. Sears
Posted: November 4, 2009

Mike Pappas, a Perry Hall resident and Towson attorney, said Wednesday he has ended his bid for the Republican nomination for governor.

Pappas announced in December that he was going to seek the nomination. Since then, he has spent time traveling and meeting Republicans around the state.

At the time, Pappas said he would seek the position unless former Gov. Robert Ehrlich entered the race.

Pappas said he made the decision to withdraw now for two reasons.

The first, Pappas said, was because his wife has been named president-elect of the Junior League of Baltimore — a position that is likely to require more of her time. Pappas said he needs to be available to help take care of the couple’s twin 3-year-old daughters.

“She has supported me over the years, and I think it’s important to support her,” Pappas said.

Pappas said the demands of his law practice was the second reason.

“The effects of the economy have found their way to my clients,” said Pappas, who represents construction businesses. “They are requiring more and more of my time.”

The requirements of a statewide campaign were not compatible, he said.

“It really is a full-time job for whoever decides to do it,” Pappas said.

Pappas said he has thrown his support behind Larry Hogan, a former Ehrlich administration official.

Pappas is not ruling out a run for something else.

“I’m not going away, obviously,” Pappas said.

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