ROCKVILLE – Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich launched his rematch bid against Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley yesterday, likely setting up a governor’s race between two men familiar to Marylanders who own starkly different records on higher education.

At events here and in Halethorpe, Ehrlich met with masses of supporters waving signs with the slogan “Ehrlich Again in 2010.” The man who became Maryland’s first Republican governor in more than 30 years with his 2002 victory wants to retake the governor’s mansion by capitalizing on dissatisfaction with O’Malley’s handling of the state’s economy during the still-lingering recession. O’Malley is hoping to recreate his 2006 victory in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 by arguing his fiscal stewardship has minimized the damage to Maryland’s economy.

One of the big divides in the two men’s records is their approaches to the University System of Maryland during their gubernatorial tenures.

While Ehrlich said he had a “terrific” higher education record, the ex-governor cut deep into the university system’s budget and saw in-state tuition balloon by 40 percent during his tenure. He did manage to freeze tuition and provide a massive increase in state funding during his final year at the helm of the state’s budget. O’Malley ushered in that freeze for three more years by providing small increases to the budget, a tradition that ended this year, as tuition is expected to increase 3 percent.

When Ehrlich left office, this university had the 6th most expensive tuition for in-state students in the nation. Now, it is the 21st most expensive, a drop O’Malley supporters credit with his commitment to higher education.

“They both have very clear records. Each of them has been governor for four years,” said state Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), who represents College Park. “Ehrlich slashed the university’s budget, increased tuition. O’Malley restored and protected the university’s budget … the choice is very clear.”

Rosapepe, who sent out a press release Tuesday with the headline “Terps for Ehrlich Are Like Chickens Voting for Colonel Sanders; How Much Will College Tuition Rise If Ehrlich Wins?,” was a persistent thorn in Ehrlich’s side while he was a member of the university system’s Board of Regents.

While Ehrlich didn’t directly answer questions about tuition increases, he stressed a record of support for historically black universities and community colleges and said he doubled need-based financial aid.

“We empowered Historically Black Colleges Universities, we put more money into need-based financial aid than ever,” he said. “We also talk a lot about community colleges … hurting community colleges during a recession is anti-working class.” O’Malley’s budget this year slashed funding for community colleges.

During his kick-off speeches, Ehrlich promoted a platform that includes lowering the sales tax, helping small businesses and creating more charter schools. Ehrlich’s supporters said the state’s budget deficit is a result of poor fiscal management on O’Malley’s part.

O’Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec said it was Ehrlich who overspent and that O’Malley has submitted a balanced budget every year, though the recession has hurt projected income from taxes. Adamec said fiscal responsibility didn’t have to come at the cost of higher education funding.

“We’ve submitted a balanced budget, and we expect that eventually those revenues will go up,” he said. “We haven’t promised more than we can afford.”

Both men need to get past what appears to be token primary opposition before their anticipated showdown. A political newcomer from Chevy Chase, businessman Brian Murphy, is challenging Ehrlich. And a Democratic state delegate-turned-Ehrlich cabinet appointee George Owings III is the other Democratic option. There has also been buzz around Former Prince George’s County Executive Wayne Curry as a possible primary rival for O’Malley.

Most university system administrators are remaining mum on the political debate. University President Dan Mote consistently pledges that as a college administrator, “he has no politics or religion,” and thought both candidates were committed to higher education, if in different ways.

However, Mote did say O’Malley has protected student costs and recognized that the university plays a big role in the future growth of the state, planning to make Maryland a hub for industries like biotechnology and cybersecurity. He thought Ehrlich did not do as much in that vein, speculating it may have been due to voter concern that the state was overspending on education.

“That was a different time. I think you have to judge each of them in their time,” he said.

In November, voters will like get a chance to do just that.

apino@umdbk.com