BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama is rallying voters in Maryland to support Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown for governor.

The first lady spoke at the War Memorial Building in Baltimore Monday.

She says Brown is the candidate who recognizes the importance of education to create opportunity. Brown is proposing universal pre-kindergarten before the end of his first term, if he is elected.

Brown is running against Republican Larry Hogan, who spoke to reporters in Baltimore before the first lady’s rally. Hogan says he’s confident Maryland residents are unhappy about their economic conditions and they’re ready for a change.

Michelle Obama’s rally capped a series of high-profile politicians who have appeared for Brown, including President Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie came to Maryland four times for Hogan.

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