Ehrlich portrait unveiled, O’Malley in attendance

ANNAPOLIS--Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) and his wife Kendel had their official portraits unveiled tonight at a ceremony before an estimated crowd of more than 600 people at St. John's College in Annapolis.

Current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and First Lady Katie O'Malley were also in attendance, as was Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach).

The event, largely non-political and cordial, encompassed many former Ehrlich advisers and Republican lawmakers. Supporters of the former governor cheered with glee as he spoke during the 45-minute ceremony. One spectator, perhaps thinking about 2010, shouted "four more years," as Ehrlich spoke.

State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Stevensville) perhaps best described the mood of the audience, telling PolitickerMD.com, "It is exciting to see everybody again. It's good to see old friends and talk about past times."

Ehrlich thanked his boyhood classmate Will Wilson, the artist of his portrait, who portrayed the former governor standing before the desk in his office with key pieces of legislation in his hands and bracelets expressing support for Americans with disabilities on his wrists.

"People with disabilities deserve a chance to prosper and succeed," Ehrlich said, addressing the audience.

Looking toward the Senate president, Ehrlich said, "Without (Miller) we could not have gotten a whole lot done."

Three key pieces of legislation accomplished during the Ehrlich administration, The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, a Charter Schools bill, and the establishment of the state Department of Disabilities were shown in the portrait.

Former First Lady Kendel Ehrlich told the crowd she was "extremely honored to become a part of the history of this great state."

Portrayed by artist Moe Hanson, the first female to paint the official portrait of a member of the first family, Kendel Ehrlich's portrait also included images of her two children, Drew and Joshua.

Speaking briefly with reporters at the conclusion of the event, O'Malley said the event was "part of history," and not about politics.

"Everybody was wonderful," Katie O'Malley said of the largely Republican crowd.

Gov. O'Malley also weighed-in on the presidential race. A longtime supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), O'Malley said he would be proud to support the party's nominee, "whoever that is in November."

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) clinched the Democratic nomination this evening, moments after the conclusion of the Annapolis event.

The governor said the nominating contest was "one of the most exciting primaries in our party's history."