O'Malley Replaces Campaign Manager

Former State Party Leader Takes Post

O'Malley's camp cited a "change in direction." (Katherine Frey - Katherine Frey for The Washington Post)

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley announced a shakeup in the senior staff of his campaign for governor last night, naming a former leader of the Maryland Democratic Party to replace a national Democratic operative as his campaign manager.

The campaign said Josh White, former executive director of the state party, would replace Jonathan Epstein, who was tapped to lead O'Malley's campaign last year. Epstein's résumé included leading field operations in Democratic presidential contender John F. Kerry's win in the 2004 Iowa caucuses.

"We're doing this from a position of strength, not a position of weakness," O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said last night. "It was a mutual decision to move in a different direction, and we wish Jonathan the best of luck. The change in direction now is that this campaign will become more focused on Maryland and the people of Maryland."

In a Democratic primary contest against Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, O'Malley has enjoyed early leads in polling, fundraising and key endorsements, and has aimed his campaign at the Republican governor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., rather than at his primary opponent.

There have been signs of a tightening race, although recent surveys have presented different pictures of the degree to which that may be happening. A poll last month by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies, for example, showed O'Malley leading by nine percentage points among likely Democratic primary voters. Another statewide poll, conducted about the same time by OpinionWorks, showed a margin of 17 points. Neither O'Malley nor Duncan could muster enough votes to win the endorsement of the state's largest teachers union over the weekend.

Aides to O'Malley acknowledged personality conflicts between Epstein and some longtime advisers to the Baltimore mayor, who was elected in 1999 and has been eyeing a run for governor for several years.

White joined the O'Malley campaign in March as deputy campaign manager for political outreach. In addition to his promotion, the campaign announced that O'Malley's younger brother, Peter, a longtime political adviser, and Lucie Snodgrass, another longtime activist in Maryland politics, would be elevated to deputy campaign managers.

Snodgrass has worked as an aide to U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and as a governmental relations director for Harford County.

The Duncan campaign offered a muted response last night.

"Jonathan is a consummate professional with great experience, and we wish him well as he continues his political career and other pursuits," Duncan campaign manager Scott Arceneaux said.

Epstein declined to comment.

In a statement, O'Malley said he has "a strong campaign, with strong leadership and a committed, hardworking staff."

"With these additions, our campaign is now poised for the tough battles ahead to take back the State House and put the governor's office back on the side of Maryland's hardworking families," he said.