Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich '79 spoke Friday about his journey from Princeton to the State House in Annapolis and expressed unease about the current political climate.
Ehrlich, who was captain of the football team during his time at the University, spoke to members of Whig-Clio at their annual banquet and received an award for distinguished service from the organization.
His route into politics was a common one, he said. After graduating from the University, he went to law school, worked in a law firm and then got involved in state government.
"I was running against [Robert] Kennedy's daughter, I was running in a blue state," Ehrlich, a Republican, said of his 2002 gubernatorial race against Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Winning with just over 51 percent of the vote, he became the first Republican governor of Maryland in 36 years.
Ehrlich said his commitment to his family is a major consideration when thinking about possible future positions.
"I have a two-year-old and a six-year-old, and I'm not going to be absent," he said.
He added that he felt it was possible to manage both politics and family as long as "you set the ground rules first. My first priority is my spouse and my kids."
Addressing the current state of politics, Ehrlich expressed concern that the country's leaders are too splintered to act decisively in protecting the American people.
"Do I think we could conduct World War II in this country now? I'm not sure. I'm not sure if in this incredibly transparent democracy we're prepared to fight big battles," he said.
Ehrlich called himself a "Churchill-phile," but also said that some of the former leader's tactics, including the bombing of primarily civilian targets, would be denounced today.
He also listed seven characteristics he believes make a good leader, including consistency, mental toughness, charisma and risk-taking. "Churchill lost elections on principle," Ehrlich said. "[He] lost elections because it was not popular to warn of the dangers of Nazi Germany."
Devjoy Sengupta '09, director of the speakers program for Whig-Clio, said Ehrlich is a "rising star in Maryland ... and has always shown a commitment to Princeton University, returning frequently."
"I've seen a lot of politicians and public figures come to campus, but I thought he was a very straightforward speaker; I don't think he minced words," Tom Brown '07, who attended the speech, said.
"He was certainly trying to give an inspirational speech but in a way a college audience that might be cynical could appreciate," Brown said.
Read More
USG makes electrifying return as Colón Roosevelt lays out plans for term, budget passes unanimously
Gray CollinsAt the Sunday USG meeting, USG president Quentin Colón Roosevelt laid out plans for the term, which included focusing on student engagement, transparency, and bureaucratic restructuring. The Senate also passed the Spring 2026 budget unanimously.
At the Sunday USG meeting, USG president Quentin Colón Roosevelt laid out plans for the term, which included focusing on student engagement, transparency, and bureaucratic restructuring. The Senate also passed the Spring 2026 budget unanimously.
‘ICE Out’ protest in Princeton draws hundreds of attendees
David Estrada and Amaya TaylorHundreds of Princeton students and community members gathered on Friday as part of the “national shutdown” to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the killings of two civilians in Minneapolis.
Hundreds of Princeton students and community members gathered on Friday as part of the “national shutdown” to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the killings of two civilians in Minneapolis.
Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.
Luqmaan BambaAI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.
AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.