Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., has resigned his position on the board of directors of the Maryland Public Policy Institute.

Ehrlich, who has served on the board since March 2007, stepped down after he announced earlier this week he would seek a second term as Maryland's governor. Ehrlich, who served as governor from 2003 to 2007, will challenge incumbent Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, in the November election.

Ehrlich, the 60^th governor of Maryland but only the sixth Republican, joined the board of the Maryland Public Policy Institute two months after leaving office.

Ehrlich, who had become familiar with the think tank's work during his time in government, agreed to join the board saying, "I was approached by a lot of people about joining boards and associating with various organizations," Ehrlich said. "But because of the enormous respect I have for the people on the board, the staff and the work of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, I knew this was the best fit for me."

Ehrlich lent expertise on the entire array of issues the institute addresses - health care, tax and budget, education and transportation. He participated, along with former Gov. Marvin Mandel, a Democrat, in a Maryland Public Policy Institute-sponsored panel discussion on ways to improve Maryland's competitiveness in early 2009.

"Gov. Ehrlich's intricate knowledge of state government became a valuable resource for us at the Maryland Public Policy Institute," said Maryland Public Policy Institute president Christopher B. Summers. " With his help, we were able to examine the micro, as well as the macro, aspects of a variety of policy questions. His insights and counsel will be missed."

"Maryland's taxpayers benefitted tremendously from Bob's contributions to the Maryland Public Policy Institute," said former Governor Mandel. "He provided insights that helped the organization develop policy suggestions that will, if adopted, help move our state forward. Because of his contributions to the institute, Bob's public service extended well beyond his term as governor."