Theodore F. Sheckels is Charles J. Potts Professor Emeritus of Social Science and professor emeritus of English and communication studies at Randolph-Macon College.Carl Hyden is associate dean for administration in the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University.

“Thankfully, Ted Sheckels and Carl Hyden have dismantled the myth of the boring Blue state and added greatly to our understanding of the state with the release of Political Problems and Personalities in Contemporary Maryland. Readers are presented at the outset with a necessary crash course on the demographic, geographic, and economic diversity of the state. Prominent Maryland politicians such as Barbara MiKuslki, Martin O'Malley, and Larry Hogan are discussed as are critical policy issues concerning race, housing, and transportation. The authors even take on the critical question of why no Marylander has ever become President. Collectively the book provides a thorough and engrossing presentation of state politics and is perfect for those seeking a better, more in-depth, understanding of politics in the Free State.”

• Preface Chapter 1—Introduction: Studying State and Local Politics; Studying Maryland Part I – People Chapter 2 – Barbara Mikulski: Advocate and Mentor Chapter 3 – Martin O’Malley’s Failure to Communicate Chapter 4 – Larry Hogan: A Look at His Record as Governor of Maryland Part II– Politics Chapter 5 – Baltimore in Search of Its Next Transformational Mayor Chapter 6 – Why Haven’t Maryland’s African American Candidates for Governor Been Elected Chapter 7 – Marylanders in Congress: Different Leaders for Different Tasks Chapter 8 – Why Hasn’t There Been a Marylander in the White House: The Quests of Albert Ritchie, Spiro Agnew, Martin O’Malley, and John Delaney Part III -- Policies Chapter 9 – Race, Housing, and Segregation in Baltimore Chapter 10 – Transportation Policy: Questions of Power, Questions of Identity Part IV – Places Chapter 11 – Renewal, Revitalization, and Redevelopment Across Baltimore From the Downtown Core to the Neighborhoods Chapter 12 – Gerr