Brown touts endorsements from two dozen county officials in governor's race OCEAN CITY, Md. - Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) on Friday used the backdrop of a conference of county leaders here to unveil the latest two dozen public officeholders to endorse his 2014 gubernatorial bid. With the new backing, Brown said his campaign has now secured the support of more than half of the Democratic county executives, commissioners and council members across Maryland. "Endorsements matter because it is a reflection that within the community of public servants. . .there are strong relationships, that there are shared beliefs and values, and there is confidence. . .[in] the vision that I'm articulating," Brown told reporters outside the convention center here where the Maryland Association of Counties is holding its annual summer convention. In May, Brown became the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for governor, and he has made a concerted effort to roll out endorsements before his chief rival, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, makes his bid official. Gansler (D) is planning an announcement of his candidacy late next month. Heather R. Mizeur (D-Montgomery) entered the race last month. Brown's new supporters announced Friday include two members of the Montgomery County Council: president Nancy Navarro, and Valerie Ervin. Three council members from Prince George's County were also on the list: chairwoman Andrea Harrison, Eric Olson and Karen Toles. Gansler strategist Doug Thornell downplayed the significance of Brown's endorsements. "Doug will get his share of endorsements, but his campaign is built on something much more central and critical: laying out his agenda for helping the people of Maryland, from fighting domestic violence to creating jobs, to his ideas this week to help clean the Chesapeake Bay," Thornell said.