Brown, lieutenant governor since 2007, is running as the political heir to Gov. Martin O’Malley -- with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with that.

He entered both the primary and the general election as the presumed favorite in deep blue Maryland, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1. But Brown has under fire because of the state’s botched health insurance web site, for which he had oversight responsibility, as well as criticism that the O’Malley-Brown administration increased the tax burden on Maryland families.

Brown has been running on what he calls O’Malley’s strong record while also saying that Maryland can do better in education, job growth and other areas. His tone in the general has shifted to portray himself as the only candidate who can bring Maryland forward.

Brown’s campaign ads have stressed his military career, which spans three decades of active duty and in the reserves. A former helicopter pilot, he holds the rank of colonel in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Brown served a tour of duty in Iraq in 2004-2005 while a member of the House of Delegates.

A Harvard-educated lawyer, Brown was elected to the Maryland House in 1998, representing a district in Prince George’s County. He has been endorsed by many senior Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, and four of the state’s U.S. representatives.

If elected, Brown would make history on several fronts. He would become the first African-American and the first lieutenant governor to win Maryland’s top job. He would also be only the third African-American in the nation to be elected governor of any state. His running mate is Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, 40.