Frontrunner for Maryland Governor Caught in #Scandalous Photo?

Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination to succeed his boss, is drawing unwelcome attention for a photograph taken with friends that seems to show an exotic dancer in the background.

Until Wednesday’s coverage of the photo, Brown appeared strong in the polls leading up to the June 24 gubernatorial primary with a two-to-one lead over Doug Gansler, according to a February poll released by the Washington Post.

Then the Daily Caller tweeted Wednesday, “EXCLUSIVE: Is That a Pole Dancer? Frontrunner for Md. Governor Caught in Scandalous Photo.” And instead of talking about Maryland’s disastrous health care website, or minimum wage increases or education, the political world is now buzzing about a candid photo.

The tweet linked to a story posted on the Daily Caller that depicted the photograph in question -- Brown taking what seems to be a happy photograph with three women. . . and a surprise photobomber in the background at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. A fourth woman can be seen in the background clad in red lingerie, standing on a platform with her arm wrapped around a pole while holding a top hat.

According to The Washington Post, the photograph was taken during an economic development conference in Las Vegas last year. The Daily Caller says the photo was taken during the International Council of Shopping Centers conference.

“People who have never attended ICSC have often questioned the extravagance of celebrity impersonators, Las Vegas showgirls and poolside cabanas,” wrote Kevin Litten for the Baltimore Business Journal. “But in Vegas, the Maryland Party has become the ultimate promotional tool for developers, real estate brokers, and politicians alike -- a legendary place where deals get started and business connections sealed.”

Brown’s campaign manager, Justin Schall, told the Daily Caller that the dancer in question is “not a stripper.”

But he didn’t elaborate on the topic and seems confident that this pole business will blow over soon.

Patch asked Brown’s campaign for comment on the photograph but the campaign declined to comment to Patch other than referral to an earlier response given to The Washington Post.

“I guess it’s the start of the silly season when an annual economic development conference with hundreds of elected Democrats, Republicans and business leaders becomes news,” Schall said, according to The Washington Post. “But I have faith that in 21 days voters will go to the polls focused on the issues that actually matter.”