Former U.S. education secretary runs for Maryland governor April 20, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Former U.S. Education Secretary John King says he's running for governor of Maryland. King, who was education secretary in former President Barack Obama's administration, announced on social media Tuesday he is seeking the Democratic nomination in a field of growing candidates in the 2022 election. They are running to succeed Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is term limited. King says as governor he would focus on education, climate change and addressing systemic inequality. King is now president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps.