ANNAPOLIS | Former Montgomery County executive and gubernatorial candidate Douglas M. Duncan said Thursday he will resign from the University of Maryland.
The announcement comes one month after Mr. Duncan canceled a speaking engagement with former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., amid allegations Gov. Martin O’Malley had threatened his job, as first reported in The Washington Times.
Mr. Duncan, who lost a Democratic primary battle to Mr. O’Malley in 2006, initially said that university system lobbyist Patrick J. Hogan relayed the message from the governor’s office that he could lose his job if he attended the event and added that some university projects were also likely to be cut.
Mr. Duncan recanted that assertion the following day, following a morning meeting with Mr. Hogan, university President C.D. Mote Jr. and University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. “Brit” Kirwan.
“While I did not come to this decision lightly, I made it knowing that it has been an honor to be a part of this outstanding institution of higher learning,” Mr. Duncan, vice president for administrative affairs at the University of Maryland at College Park, said in a release early Wednesday evening. “I look forward to this new chapter in my life and continuing to work in the community to positively impact the daily lives of the people I am proud to call my fellow Marylanders.”
He could not be reached for further comment.
He also said that next month he will become a senior vice president for research and business development with Rockville-based CivicUS, an advisory service firm in executive-level management in state, county and municipal government.
Higher-education spending has become a large target for budget cuts, as state leaders look to solve new budget troubles. Mr. O’Malley cut $36 million in higher-education spending Wednesday, as part of a broader plan to close an immediate $432 million hole in the state budget.
“It’s ironic that a good and honorable man like Doug resigns on a day that Governor Martin O’Malley slashes the University of Maryland budget,” said Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican. “We wish him the best of luck and hope that he lands on his feet soon. We’re lucky to have such a good relationship across party lines with a good man.”
Mr. Ehrlich spoke at the dinner, sponsored by the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce, alone Tuesday night.
Mr. Hogan, at the time, said that Mr. Duncan had misunderstood friendly advice that he not attend the dinner alongside Mr. Ehrlich - Mr. O’Malley’s chief rival - and that he never threatened Mr. Duncan’s job and had not spoken with the governor’s office.
Mr. Duncan has kept a relatively low profile since leaving public office, talking to small groups and teaching university courses on politics.
“We will miss Doug’s ability to navigate the complexities of local, county and state development issues,” said Mr. Mote in a statement Wednesday. “His command of the issues, and his leadership in moving our development projects forward, and his ability to engage our communities will not be easily replaced. But, we wish him the very best with his future opportunities.”
Mr. Duncan served as county executive of Montgomery County for 12 years. He was Mr. O’Malley’s chief opponent in the 2006 Democratic primary before he dropped out, citing a diagnosis of mental depression.
“I thought he was a fine county executive and a good friend,” said House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat. “I thought he was doing a fine job there.”
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