With Choice of Gubernatorial Partner, Ehrlich Woos Female Voters

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. took a dramatic step yesterday to try to repair an image problem he has with suburban women by naming Kristen Cox, a blind mother of two, as his running mate.

Ehrlich told a crowd in Annapolis yesterday morning that he picked Cox to join his ticket for two simple reasons: personal and philosophical compatibility.

"There were many talented people interested in this job," Ehrlich told supporters gathered by the docks. "To me, Kris is the right fit."

In reality, analysts and political veterans said, the calculation was probably far more complex.

The most critical factor in her selection, Ehrlich aides agreed, was that Cox has the potential to help the governor win over women voters, who in polls have consistently said they prefer his Democratic opponent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.

A Washington Post poll released Wednesday showed Ehrlich trailing O'Malley by 19 percentage points among women registered to vote, while the two were running even among men.

"The real benefit to picking her is that she helps appeal directly to women who are both mothers and are working, and that's a crucial swing constituency for this election," said Bruce Poole, a former state lawmaker. "The governor needs her to make the case that his ticket will help suburban families who are pushed and shoved by the demands of modern American life."

Cox, 36, is a relative newcomer to Maryland and a political novice. Her management experience has been heading the state's Department of Disabilities, an agency with 25 full-time employees and a $5 million budget. She met the governor while working on Capitol Hill as a lobbyist for the National Federation for the Blind.

A number of names had circulated as possible running mates for Ehrlich since Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele announced he would be running for U.S. Senate. Most of those considered seriously were either African American, women or both.

Cox's name surfaced about a month ago, after she and Ehrlich appeared on stage together at a fundraiser headlined by President Bush. To many, Cox seemed a surprising option because she lacked some traits traditionally considered important in a running mate.

The most important, said former attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Stephen Sachs, is to be widely perceived as someone who could step into the job of governor, if needed. "That has to be there," Sachs said, "and more importantly, the electorate has to believe it to be there."

Cox also does not provide geographic diversity to the ticket -- she hails from Towson, where Ehrlich already runs strong. And she does not bring the governor a well-forged relationship with the legislature. Both factors helped lead O'Malley to choose Del. Anthony G. Brown (D-Prince George's) as his running mate.