As an adjunct professor at the Washington College of Law, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler spices up classroom lectures with real-world experience. Now, Gansler is looking to apply this experience as he kicks off his campaign for governor of Maryland.
“After 22 years of public service, 15 years of which has been managing county, state and national government organizations, I now look forward to… protect[ing] Maryland families and giv[ing] voice to the voiceless as governor,” Gansler said in an email.
Gansler was elected Attorney General of Maryland in November 2006 and reelected in November 2010.
As Attorney General, Gansler works as a prosecutor representing the state of Maryland. He also serves as the chief legal officer and oversees the all of the state’s legal business, according to Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General website.
Gansler began teaching as an adjunct professor at the Washington College of Law in 1995 and currently teaches Criminal Trial Advocacy, which focuses on trial simulations, trial strategy and practical instructions.
“Teaching really is unrelated to my politics or career,” Gansler said in an email. “It is just something I enjoy doing to give back to the legal profession.”
His favorite part about teaching is working with the students and seeing their improvement during the course of the semester, Gansler said.
Now one of his former students, Tom DeGonia, is helping him campaign for governor.
DeGonia graduated from WCL in 1997, but first met Gansler when the candidate spoke as a guest lecturer in one of his criminal law courses.
At the time, Gansler was working as a prosecutor at the U.S. attorney’s office.
“We both have very similar interests in public service, as well as in the law, and we really struck up a friendship,” DeGonia said. “I helped Doug run for State’s Attorney in Montgomery County, and then we tried cases together as prosecutors.”
Gansler said he will continue to focus on environmental, consumer and public safety issues if elected governor. He is eager to find solutions to problems such as minority achievement in education, as well as problems surrounding the economy in Maryland.
Gansler is also a supporter of marriage equality in Maryland, and if he is elected, he will continue to support gay rights, he said.
“As governor, I would fight against all forms of discrimination,” Gansler said.
DeGonia is telling friends and family about Gansler and his campaign to support his former professor, colleague and friend.
“Gansler is a product of Maryland,” DeGonia said. “He was born and raised in Maryland, and I think he really understands Maryland’s future.”
tdalcourt@theeagleonline.com
