Doug Gansler

Born in Summit, New Jersey, Gansler grew up in Chevy Chase in Montgomery County, Maryland.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/montgomery-ganslers-home-county-is-an-elusive-key-to-gubernatorial-primary-victory/2014/03/11/7c4afb00-a846-11e3-b61e-8051b8b52d06_story.html Montgomery, Gansler’s home county, is an elusive key to gubernatorial primary victory – The Washington Post] Retrieved 2014-10-29. There he attended Chevy Chase Elementary School, and Sidwell Friends School, a private Quaker school in the Washington, D.C., area, for grades 6–12.

Gansler became involved with politics at 13, knocking on doors for Frank Mankiewicz, who was then running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 8th congressional district.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |last2=Elwood |first2=Karina |last3=Tan |first3=Rebecca |last4=Thompson |first4=Steve |last5=Wiggins |first5=Ovetta |title=Meet the candidates who want to be Maryland's next governor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/07/04/primary-maryland-governor-candidates/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 4, 2022}} From Sidwell, Gansler went to Yale University. He was an All-Ivy, All–New England College lacrosse player, and nurtured an interest in public service, graduating cum laude.{{cite web |access-date=March 5, 2012 |url=http://www.spoke.com/people/douglas-gansler-3e1429c09e597c1008859d95 |title=Douglas Gansler, Lawyer, Statewide Title Company |publisher=Spoke.com }} Gansler earned a J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He was a law clerk to Hon. John F. McAuliffe, Judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals.

After working for a brief period as a real estate lawyer at a title company and at the law firms of Coburn & Schertler and Howrey & Simon, Gansler was hired as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, serving from 1992 to 1998.{{Cite web |title=Douglas F. Gansler, Maryland Attorney General |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/attorney/former/html/msa14107.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=msa.maryland.gov}} There he prosecuted, among others, a Georgian diplomat who killed a young woman while driving drunk near Dupont Circle.

In 1998, Gansler was elected State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland, serving from January 1999 to January 2007. While serving, he prosecuted several high-profile cases, including the Beltway snipers, John Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo.{{cite news |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/080206/montcou192501_31939.shtml |access-date=March 5, 2012 |title=Gansler says sniper trial cost less than $2,000 |date=August 2, 2006 |newspaper=Montgomery Gazette |first1=Douglas |last1=Tallman |first2=C. Benjamin |last2=Ford }} Gansler also launched programs to fight gangs, punish criminals, and protect the public, including domestic violence dockets and drug courts, gang prosecution unit, Elder Abuse Task Force to target criminals preying on seniors, and an Internet crime unit.{{cite web|last=Gansler|first=Douglas|title=Maryland Office of the Governor|url=http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/victim/FVC/bio-gansler.php|access-date=January 11, 2013}}

On one occasion, the Maryland Court of Appeals sanctioned him for public statements he made about a possible confession and possible plea in a high-profile case involving the beating and murder of a Maryland jogger.{{cite web |title=Attorney Grievance Commission v. Douglas F. Gansler |id=Misc. Docket AG No. 81 |date=November 12, 2003 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |url=http://www.courts.state.md.us/opinions/coa/2003/81a02ag.pdf }} He was the first elected State's Attorney to be sanctioned by the court.{{cite news|last=Hurley|first=Lawrence|title=Montgomery County State's Atty. reprimanded by Court of Appeals|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4183/is_20031113/ai_n10058359/pg_2/?tag=content;col1|newspaper=Daily Record|date=November 13, 2003}}

File:Gansler swearing in.jpg Gansler was elected as Maryland Attorney General in 2006, taking the oath of office as Attorney General of Maryland on January 2, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/attorney/html/msa14107.html |title=Douglas F. Gansler, Maryland Attorney General |publisher=Msa.maryland.gov |date= |access-date=2013-01-18}} While in office, he focused on environmental protection, consumer protection, public safety, and civil rights.

Gansler was elected to a second term on November 2, 2010.

Gansler protected the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and Maryland's other natural resources. He secured air quality settlements,{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Maryland Department of the Environment, Attorney General Announce Settlement to Reduce Emissions from Out-of-State Power Plants.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2007/100907.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, October 9, 2007.|access-date=January 14, 2013}} water pollution, oil pollution and asbestos penalties.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Constellation, BBSS to Pay Hefty Fine and Clean Up Contaminated Site in Anne Arundel County|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2007/100107b.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, October 1, 2007|access-date=January 11, 2013}}

Gansler also led the successful charge to have phosphates banned from dishwasher detergent{{cite news|last=Rein|first=Lisa|title=Maryland Takes Step to Clean Up Detergent.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR2007032201980.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=March 23, 2007}} and arsenic banned from chicken feed,{{cite news|last=Gansler|first=Douglas|title=It's Time to Ban an Arsenic Compound from Chicken Feed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/25/AR2009062503381.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=June 26, 2009}} and helped secure standing for environmental groups to sue polluters in State court.{{cite news|last=Editorial|title=Setting a Greener Standard|url=http://www.mdlcv.org/news-media/setting-a-greener-standard|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=March 18, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415074433/http://www.mdlcv.org/news-media/setting-a-greener-standard|archive-date=2013-04-15|url-status=dead}}

He also laid the groundwork for the construction of a power plant to convert 500 million pounds of chicken manure into energy, potentially keeping the single largest source of nitrogen and phosphorus out of the Chesapeake Bay, while providing Maryland farmers with an additional source of revenue.{{cite news|last=Pelton|first=Tom|title=Poultry Power Seen Saving Bay|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/11/02/poultry-power-seen-saving-bay/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=November 2, 2007}}

Gansler fought various forms of fraud that threatened home ownership, contributed to the cost of healthcare, and undermined citizens' financial security and well-being. This work included an agreement with all the major car rental companies to end usurious refueling rates,{{cite news|last=Rein|first=Lisa|title=Gansler, Rental Car Firms Set Refuel Fee Limits|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103446.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=June 12, 2008}} and a settlement with all four major wireless carriers requiring disclosure of the terms of cell phone insurance. {{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler Announces Agreement with Major Wireless Carriers and Wireless Phone Insurance Provider.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2008/040408.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, April 4, 2008|access-date=January 11, 2013}}

In a fight against mortgage fraud, Gansler recovered nearly $1 billion in relief and assistance for Maryland homeowners.{{cite news|last=Cho|first=Hanah|title=Maryland Joins Nationwide Mortgage Settlement|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-bz-mortgage-md-settle-20120209,0,1715504.story|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=February 9, 2012}} He was aggressive in going after predatory lenders,{{cite news|title=Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler Announces Wells Fargo Mortgage Settlement|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/maryland-wells-fargo-mortgage_n_1186699.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=January 5, 2012}} foreclosure scammers,{{cite news|last=Rees|first=Nick|title=Gansler Gains Victory in Foreclosure Case.|url=http://legalnewsline.com/news/224567-gansler-gains-victory-in-foreclosure-case|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Legal Newsline Legal Journal|date=December 16, 2009}} unscrupulous contractors,{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=AG Gansler Issues Cease and Desist Order Against Contractors.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2012/112912.html|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General|access-date=November 29, 2012}} and others who made home ownership difficult.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Consumer Protection Division Orders Unregistered Home Builder to Pay Back More Than $835K|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2012/083012a.html|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General|access-date=August 30, 2012}} His efforts recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for consumer victims.

Gansler worked to keep consumers safe from healthcare scams. This work included the largest recovery in a healthcare fraud investigation in U.S. history against a major pharmaceutical company that illegally marketed drugs at the expense of consumer safety.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=AG Gansler: Abbott Labs to Pay $1.5 Billion More for Medicaid Fraud|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2012/050712a.html|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, May 7, 2012.|access-date=January 11, 2013}} It also included multimillion-dollar victories against healthcare providers who abused Medicaid at taxpayers’ expense,{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Andrea K.|title=Columbia Firm Settles $150M Fraud Case with Federal Government.|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/09/12/columbia-firm-settles-150m-fraud-case-with-federal-government/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=September 12, 2011}} and others that preyed on the infirm.{{cite news|last=Rawlyk|first=Heather|title=Woman Gets Probation for Pharmacy Scam|url=http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/for_the_record/woman-gets-probation-for-pharmacy-scam/article_b4f5a432-3e30-5ee7-b1c1-a093284ef4b2.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Capital Gazette|date=December 28, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215162112/http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/for_the_record/woman-gets-probation-for-pharmacy-scam/article_b4f5a432-3e30-5ee7-b1c1-a093284ef4b2.html|archive-date=2013-02-15|url-status=dead}} Gansler also advocated for better healthcare options for Marylanders, both through his Health Education and Advocacy Unit,{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=AG Gansler's Health Education & Advocacy Unit Receives Significant Grant.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2012/091212.html|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, September 12, 2012|access-date=January 11, 2013}} and through his leadership in supporting broader healthcare solutions like the Affordable Care Act.{{cite news|last=Poinski|first=Megan|title=Maryland leads states backing federal health insurance law.|url=http://marylandreporter.com/2012/01/15/maryland-leads-states-backing-backing-federal-health-insurance-law/|newspaper=MarylandReporter.com|date=January 15, 2012}}

To promote the health and safety of Maryland teens, Gansler led the effort to limit youth access to alcohol and tobacco by combating the marketing practices of alcohol and tobacco companies that target younger consumers.{{cite news|title=Pushing 'Alcopops'.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/20/AR2008032003030.html|publisher=Washington Post, March 21, 2008|access-date=January 11, 2013|date=March 21, 2008}} This work led to an agreement with two of the largest alcohol manufacturers to stop the production and distribution of alcoholic "energy" drinks,{{cite news|title=Md. Settlement with MillerCoors Sees End to Alcoholic Energy Drinks.|url=http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/9050.shtml|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Southern Maryland Online|date=December 21, 2008}} as well as an agreement with one of the largest gas station franchises in the world to curb tobacco sales to minors at its 13,000 outlets across the United States.{{cite news|title=A.G. Gansler Announces Agreement With Shell Oil to Curb Tobacco Sales To Minors.|url=http://baltimore.citybizlist.com/article/ag-gansler-announces-agreement-shell-oil-curb-tobacco-sales-minors-0|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Citybizlist|date=October 10, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130215173741/http://baltimore.citybizlist.com/article/ag-gansler-announces-agreement-shell-oil-curb-tobacco-sales-minors-0|archive-date=2013-02-15|url-status=dead}}

Recognizing that rapid developments in Internet technology and enterprise have created new and significant privacy risks for both consumers and corporations, Gansler led state and national efforts to protect online privacy. For example, he led a charge by 36 state attorneys general to demand accountability from the nation's largest provider of Internet services when it unilaterally changed its privacy policy.{{cite news|last=Fermier|first=Steve|title=Gansler Challenging Google on Privacy|url=http://www.wbal.com/article/87012/3/template-story/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=WBAL.com|date=February 23, 2012}} He also brought an action against a major retailer for an online breach that led to the theft of consumer credit card data from 100 million transactions.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler Reaches Settlement with TJX Companies, Inc|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2009/062309.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, June 23, 2009|access-date=January 11, 2013}}

Gansler established the first-ever Attorney General Gang Prosecution Unit in Maryland.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler's First Legislative Session a Success|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2007/041107b.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, April 11, 2007|access-date=January 11, 2013}} Gansler co-chaired the statewide Human Trafficking Task Force{{cite web|title=Human Trafficking|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Human-Trafficking/index.html|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice, updated December 6, 2012|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113022447/http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Human-Trafficking/index.html|archive-date=2013-01-13|url-status=dead}} and spearheaded tougher domestic violence laws through his role as Co-Chair of Maryland's Family Violence Council.{{cite web|title=Lt. Governor Brown, Attorney General Gansler Announce New Domestic Violence Laws.|url=http://www.governor.maryland.gov/ltgovernor/pressreleases/090929.asp|publisher=Maryland Office of the Governor, September 29, 2009|access-date=January 11, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Governor's Family Violence Council Members.|url=http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/victim/FVC/members.php|publisher=Maryland Office of the Governor|access-date=January 8, 2013}}

Gansler also established a statewide Internet safety initiative focused on school-aged children,{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler Announces Internet Safety Videos Now Available on Comcast On Demand.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2010/031010.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, March 10, 2010|access-date=January 8, 2013}} shut down an online anonymous gossip site being used to torment young students, helped eliminate the online illegal adult services section of Craigslist,{{cite news|title=Gansler Asks Craigslist to Drop 'Adult Services' Section.|url=http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/local_news/gansler-asks-craigslist-to-drop-'adult-services'-section|access-date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=ABC2 News|date=August 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902045335/http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/local_news/gansler-asks-craigslist-to-drop-'adult-services'-section|archive-date=September 2, 2010|url-status=dead}} and worked on a nationally coordinated effort targeting sexual predators who use social networking websites to lure victims. Tens of thousands of sexual predators were removed from social networking sites as a result of this effort.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=MySpace to Turn Over Info on Thousands of Sex Offenders.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2007/052107.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, May 21, 2007|access-date=January 11, 2013}} For this work, he received the Champion of Online Safety Award.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler Honored with Champion of Online Safety Award.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2009/051309a.htm|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, May 13, 2009|access-date=January 8, 2013}}

Gansler demonstrated a long-standing commitment to civil rights in his creation of the first-ever Director of Civil Rights position in the Office of the Attorney General.{{cite news|last=Green|first=Andrew A.|title=Longtime Activist to Fill State's New Civil Rights Post|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/01/12/longtime-activist-to-fill-states-new-civil-rights-post/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=January 12, 2007}} He set up a Voting Irregularities Task Force to address voter suppression issues in Maryland,{{cite web|title=Report of the Attorney General's Task Force on Voting Irregularities|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Reports/Voting%20Task%20Force%20Repor4_28.pdf|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, April 29, 2008. (PDF)|access-date=January 11, 2013}} and a Campaign Finance Advisory Committee to explore ways to ensure fair participation in the electoral process.{{cite web|title=Campaign Finance Report.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Reports/campaignfinance.pdf|publisher=Maryland Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on Campaign Finance, January 4, 2011. (PDF)|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411145430/http://www.oag.state.md.us/Reports/campaignfinance.pdf|archive-date=2013-04-11|url-status=dead}} He also published a report providing guidance on taser training protocols that is being used nationally by law enforcement,{{cite web|title=Maryland Attorney General Releases Task Force Report on Electronic Control Weapons.|url=http://sextonsecurity.com/tag/douglas-f-gansler/|publisher=Sexton Executive Security, December 24, 2009. (PDF)|access-date=January 11, 2013}} and a report that assists Maryland's institutions of higher education in legally developing and maintaining diversity.{{cite web|title=Strengthening in Maryland Colleges and Universities: A Legal Roadmap.|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Reports/OAG_Diversity_Paper.pdf|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, March 2009. (PDF)|access-date=January 11, 2013}} He worked for judicial election reform that would ensure diversity of the bench.{{cite news|title=Clean Up Judicial Elections.|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/01/10/clean-up-judicial-elections/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=January 10, 2010}} For this work, as well as his successful efforts to increase diversity both in the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Attorney General, Gansler was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Keeper's Award.{{cite news |title=Award Recipients to be Lauded Friday for Efforts in Health Care, Business Growth and Education |first=Susan |last=Gvozdas |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/01/16/award-recipients-to-be-lauded-friday-for-efforts-in-health-care-business-growth-and-education/ |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=January 14, 2013}}

Gansler was the first statewide elected official in Maryland to support marriage equality.{{cite news|title=Two Sides Testify on Marriage Equality.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/14/AR2008021403655.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 15, 2008|first=Lisa|last=Rein}} In 2010, Gansler issued a legal opinion that clarified Maryland's ability to provide full faith and credit to valid out-of-state same-sex marriages.{{cite news|title=Maryland to Recognize Gay Marriage from Other Places|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022405686.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 25, 2010|first1=Aaron C.|last1=Davis|first2=John|last2=Wagner}} That opinion provided the underpinning for a subsequent Maryland Court of Appeals decision recognizing same-sex marriages from other states.{{cite web|title=Port v. Cowan.|url=http://mdcourts.gov/opinions/coa/2012/69a11.pdf|publisher=No. 69, September Term, 2011. May 18, 2012. (PDF).|access-date=January 11, 2013}} For his early and strong support of marriage equality, Gansler received the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award.{{cite news|last=Motsinger|first=John|title=Power Player|url=http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/people/2010/11/power-player|newspaper=Baltimore Magazine|date=November 2010}}

Gansler was a proponent of the Maryland State Police requirement for concealed carry permits, which states that a citizen must have a good and substantial reason in order to acquire the permit.{{cite news|last=Fenton|first=Justin| url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/03/21/federal-appellate-court-upholds-md-handgun-permit-laws/|title=Federal appellate court upholds Md. handgun permit laws|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=March 21, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013}}

During the 2008 presidential election, Gansler was the first statewide official in Maryland to support Barack Obama,{{cite news|title=More Gansler/Brown Rumors|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2009/02/more_ganslerbrown_rumors.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 3, 2009}} and went on to be the Maryland Co-Chair, with Representative Elijah Cummings, of Obama’s Presidential Campaign.{{cite news|title=Cummings, Gansler to Be Co-Chairs of Obama's Maryland Campaign.|url=http://thedailyrecord.com/2007/08/03/cummings-gansler-to-be-cochairs-of-obamas-maryland-compaign/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=The Daily Record|date=August 3, 2007}}

Gansler was elected to serve as President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) in 2012.{{cite news|title=Md. AG Named President of National Association.|url=http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/06/22/md-ag-named-pres-of-national-association/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=CBS Baltimore|date=June 22, 2012}} He served as Chair of the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA){{cite web|title=Douglas F. Gansler, Maryland.|url=http://www.democraticags.org/douglas.html|publisher=DAGA.|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118175826/http://www.democraticags.org/douglas.html|archive-date=2013-01-18|url-status=dead}} until becoming President-Elect at the NAAG. He also chaired NAAG committees on Youth Access to Alcohol, the Environment and Energy.{{cite web|title=NAAG Standing Committees.|url=http://www.naag.org/naag_standing_committees.php|publisher=NAAG.|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104085228/http://www.naag.org/naag_standing_committees.php|archive-date=2013-01-04|url-status=dead}}

As President of NAAG, Gansler focused the organization’s attention on privacy in the Digital Age.{{cite news|title=Internet Privacy is Focus of Gansler as Head of U.S. Attorneys General.|url=http://marylandreporter.com/2012/07/18/internet-privacy-is-focus-of-gansler-as-head-of-u-s-attorneys-general/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=MarylandReporter.com|date=July 18, 2012}} He formed a Committee on Internet Privacy at NAAG to keep close watch on developments in the Internet space that affect consumers’ control over their information, and headed several efforts to hold accountable those who fail to properly respect consumer privacy online. He called attention to companies that collect information from children in ways that appear out of compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.{{cite web|last=Press Release|title=Attorney General Gansler Recognizes Changes to McDonald's Child-directed Website Attorney General Raised Questions about Online Privacy Protections for Kids|url=http://www.oag.state.md.us/Press/2012/102512a.html|publisher=Maryland Office of the Attorney General, October 25, 2012|access-date=January 11, 2013}}

{{Main|2014 Maryland gubernatorial election}}

Gansler formally announced his candidacy in the Maryland's 2014 Gubernatorial race to succeed Martin O'Malley, who was term limited, on September 24, 2013.{{cite news|title=Gansler set to officially launch campaign for Maryland governor in Rockville |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-set-to-officially-launch-campaign-for-maryland-governor-in-rockville/2013/09/24/1437889e-250b-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story.html |access-date=September 24, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=September 24, 2013 |first=John |last=Wagner}} Gansler had a warchest of $5.2m and said that he was "flattered by the depth and breadth of support I have received from all corners of Maryland".{{cite news|first=John|last=Wagner|title=Gansler, eyeing Md. governor's race, to report $5.2 million in the bank|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-eying-md-governors-race-to-report-52-million-in-the-bank/2013/01/15/21776f74-5f18-11e2-b05a-605528f6b712_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928012810/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-15/local/36343633_1_gansler-report-anthony-g-brown|url-status=live|archive-date=September 28, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 15, 2013|date=January 15, 2013}} Gansler was criticized by a Maryland veterans organization for suggesting that his leading opponent in the Democratic primary, Maryland Lt Gov. Anthony Brown, a former US Army Reserve Colonel, was "somebody who has never managed anybody, never run anything", as a result of his service.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/md-gov-candidate-suggests-iraq-war-vet-opponent-not-up-for-real-job/|title=Md. gov candidate suggests Iraq War vet opponent not up for 'real job'|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2014|publisher=Fox News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-seeks-to-clarify-comments-about-rival-browns-military-service-in-iraq/2014/04/21/c5fb48fa-c9a1-11e3-93eb-6c0037dde2ad_story.html|title=Gansler seeks to clarify comments about rival Brown's military service in Iraq|newspaper=Washington Post|author=John Wagner|date=April 12, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2014}} Gansler later explained that his comments were specifically in reference to managing the state's health exchange. Brown won the Democratic primary, but was defeated by Republican Party candidate Larry Hogan in an upset in the general election.

{{Main|2022 Maryland gubernatorial election}}

File:2022 Dundalk 4th of July Parade 71.jpg, 2022]]

On May 25, 2021, Gansler announced that he would run for Governor of Maryland in the 2022 election.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Former Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler joins 2022 Democratic field for governor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-gansler-runs-20210525-5hino77ddva33deumelyqpztx4-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2021 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 25, 2021}} His running mate was former Hyattsville mayor Candace Hollingsworth.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Updated: Gansler Taps Former Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth as Running Mate |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/08/gansler-taps-former-hyattsville-mayor-candace-hollingsworth-as-running-mate/ |access-date=April 7, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 8, 2022}} A central part of his platform was fighting crime in Baltimore.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Crime in Baltimore is rising. It could affect the governor's race. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/07/16/crime-maryland-governor-race/ |access-date=July 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 16, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Political Notes: Moore Getting the Oprah Treatment, Schulz Sticks to the Script, and Gansler Lays Out Crime Plan |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/05/31/political-notes-moore-getting-the-oprah-treatment-schulz-sticks-to-the-script-and-gansler-lays-out-crime-plan/ |access-date=July 24, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 31, 2022}}

On July 19, 2022, Gansler lost the primary, placing fourth behind Peter Franchot, Tom Perez, and Wes Moore.{{cite news |title=2022 Maryland primary elections results |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/maryland/2022-primaries/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 24, 2022 |date=July 19, 2022}} He conceded defeat on July 21, 2022,{{cite news |last1=Knezevich |first1=Alison |title=Doug Gansler drops out of Maryland Democratic governor's race as vote counts continue |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-gansler-concedes-20220721-hhpldtodbrbqtl2ownkth2gsq4-story.html |access-date=July 24, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 21, 2022}} and endorsed Democratic nominee Wes Moore the next day.{{cite news |title=Wes Moore projected winner of 2022 Maryland Democratic race for governor |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/wes-moore-maryland-democratic-primary-governor-winner/40679765 |access-date=July 24, 2022 |work=WBAL-TV |date=July 24, 2022}}

• In November 2002, Gansler irritated colleagues when he filed charges in Maryland against the Beltway snipers, John Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, who were also being prosecuted in Virginia.{{cite news|title=Gansler Touched Some Nerves in Sniper Case |url=http://defeatgansler.blogspot.com/2006/08/gansler-grandstanding.html|access-date=September 24, 2013| newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 17, 2002}} More than a year after the snipers had been convicted in Virginia, Gansler held a trial in Maryland. Gansler stated that the trial only cost taxpayers $2,000, however Sheriff Raymond M. Kight said that the costs had exceeded $743,570, when taking into account costs such as overtime pay to provide security throughout the trial process.
• In November 2003, Gansler became the first sitting prosecutor in Maryland history to be censured by the state's highest court, for improperly discussing evidence, such as a defendant's confession, at news conferences "on more than one occasion", related to three criminal cases.{{cite news|title=High Court Censures Gansler; Punishment Is First for a Sitting State Prosecutor in Md. |url=http://defeatgansler.blogspot.com/2006/08/gansler-gets-censured-by-high-court.html |access-date=September 24, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 13, 2003}}{{cite web |url=http://www.courts.state.md.us/opinions/coa/2003/81a02ag.pdf |access-date=September 24, 2013 |title=Attorney Grievance Commission v. Douglas F. Gansler |publisher=Maryland Courts }} Slate Magazine described him as a "near-perfect specimen of a classic political archetype—the prosecutor on the make," noting that "[h]e's smart, he's well-connected, he's telegenic, and he raises gobs of cash."{{cite news|title=Doug Gansler: Will the sniper trial be his big break? |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/2002/11/doug_gansler.html |access-date=September 24, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 1, 2002}}
• In August 2013, Gansler was tape-recorded speaking disparagingly of his Democratic primary opponent in the 2014 Maryland gubernatorial race, Lieutenant Gov. Anthony Brown, who he accused of relying on race in the contest.{{cite news|title=Gansler said rival Brown relying on race in Maryland governor's contest |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-said-brown-relying-on-race-in-maryland-governors-race/2013/08/12/60b0f06c-0354-11e3-a07f-49ddc7417125_story.html | access-date=September 24, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 12, 2013 |first=John |last=Wagner}} "I mean, right now his campaign slogan is, 'Vote for me, I want to be the first African American governor of Maryland,'" Gansler said. His comments provoked outrage.
• On October 12, 2013, The Washington Post published memos written by state troopers alleging that Gansler repeatedly requested officers assigned to him to drive in an irresponsible manner.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/attorney-general-gansler-depicted-as-reckless-passenger-by-md-troopers-who-drove-him/2013/10/12/3115487a-328f-11e3-9c68-1cf643210300_story.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=John | last=Wagner | title=Maryland Politics | date=October 13, 2013}} A spokesperson for Gansler denied the reports.
• On October 24, 2013, the National Journal published a photo showing Gansler at a house party attended by his son in Bethany Beach, Delaware, where underage drinking was taking place.{{cite news |title= Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Pictured at Wild High School Party |work= National Journal |date= October 24, 2013 |first= Kevin |last= Brennan |url= http://www.nationaljournal.com/hotline-on-call/democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-pictured-at-wild-high-school-party-20131024 }} In response, Gansler said he was there briefly, did not notice any underage drinking, and that even if he had, he did not have "moral authority over other people's children" outside Maryland.{{cite news |title =Gansler's comments, presence at party spark debate |work= Baltimore Sun |date= October 24, 2013 |first1= Michael |last1= Dressler |first2= Erin |last2= Cox |url= http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-gansler-folo-20131024,0,2720428.story }} Gansler later said that in hindsight, he should have assumed there was underage drinking and should have discussed it with the chaperones.{{cite news |title= Gansler says he should have checked drinking at party |newspaper= The Washington Post |first1= John |last1= Wagner |first2= Ann E. |last2= Marimow |date= October 24, 2013 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gansler-to-address-media-about-appearing-at-a-teen-party-with-alleged-underage-drinking/2013/10/24/04d56ad4-3cbb-11e3-b7ba-503fb5822c3e_story.html }}

File:Gansler family at home.jpg

Gansler is married to Laura Leedy Gansler, a securities lawyer and author about legal cases.{{cite book|last=Gansler|first=Laura Leedy|title=Class Action: The Landmark Case that Changed Sexual Harassment Law|year=2003|publisher=Random house|isbn=978-0-385-49613-1|page=400|url=http://www.randomhouse.com/book/13633/class-action-by-clara-bingham-and-laura-leedy-gansler}} He coaches both his sons, Sam and Will, in a variety of sports. Gansler is Jewish.{{cite web | url=https://jmoreliving.com/2022/04/04/former-maryland-attorney-general-doug-gansler-talks-to-jmore-about-his-gubernatorial-aspirations/ | title=Former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler Talks to Jmore about his Gubernatorial Aspirations | date=April 4, 2022 }}

Gansler's father, the late Jacques (Jack) Gansler, was Professor of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Gansler founded a lacrosse league for Baltimore inner-city youth, called Charm City Youth Lacrosse.{{cite web|title=The Marc Steiner Show|url=http://www.steinershow.org/radio/the-marc-steiner-show/may-23-2012-segment-1|publisher=WEAA, May 23, 2012|access-date=January 11, 2013}} He mentored at-risk area youth, served on the Montgomery County Commission on Aging, and co-chaired the NAACP Criminal Justice Committee.{{cite news|title=Local Elections 2006|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/elections/2006/maryland/candidates/Douglas_F_Gansler.html|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|year=2006}} For his work in establishing the Charm City Youth Lacrosse League, he received the “Innovator of the Year” award from Maryland's largest legal publication.{{cite news|title=2009 Winners: Innovator of the Year|url=http://thedailyrecord.com/innovator-of-the-year/2012/01/16/2009-winners/|access-date=January 11, 2013|newspaper=The Daily Record|year=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118180651/http://thedailyrecord.com/innovator-of-the-year/2012/01/16/2009-winners/|archive-date=2013-01-18|url-status=dead}}

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• List of Jewish American jurists

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• [http://www.douggansler.com www.douggansler.com]
• [http://www.oag.state.md.us/ Office of the Attorney General]
• [http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/html/msa14107.html Biography from the Maryland Archives]
• {{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=81621 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |title=Our Campaigns - Candidate - Douglas F. Gansler |publisher=Randy Parke }}
• {{C-SPAN|9265311}}

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{{s-bef|before=J. Joseph Curran Jr.}}

{{s-ttl|title=Attorney General of Maryland|years=2007–2015}}

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Category:1962 births

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