This morning, the Supreme Court made the horrifying decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of federal abortion rights. Progressive Maryland issued the following statement supporting reproductive rights:

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Yesterday marked the national holiday commemorating Juneteenth and today marks another day of hearings by the January 6 Commission looking into the deadly insurrection carried out  at the U.S. Capitol last year. It certainly is a momentous time in our country. The work of the Commission is a reminder of how important it is to shine a light on Trump’s actions and the attempts by white nationalists and their backers to overturn our democracy. 

Juneteenth celebrations and events provide a way to keep telling the truth about our country’s history. We hope you had a chance to honor this significant day in some way. Read our statement on Juneteenth if you haven’t yet. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day, so here at Progressive Maryland, we’re reflecting  on the ways in which these two events are converging, and the need to keep speaking truth to power in order to be free. We know that preserving our democracy, confronting our past, and making sure the truth prevails can help us build a better Maryland. 

Elections play a central role in this struggle for a better state and a better world. Let’s make sure that everyone participates in the Primary election and that progressives prevail at the ballot box. We need to ensure that candidates who believe in our democracy and who will work to advance racial justice get elected! Our individual votes and voices can open up a New Era in Maryland politics. We only have 28 days left to gather and harness the power of the grassroots. Sign up to join our growing election team!

On the state level, we will choose a new Governor, a new Comptroller, a new Attorney General, and who we send to the Maryland General Assembly. We’ll also decide who will represent us on the local level in County offices, on School Boards, and in Central Committees, as well as Judges and some city officials. Check out Progressive Maryland’s endorsed candidates. 

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On this Juneteenth 2022, I’m asking you to understand history, celebrate progress, and uplift the importance of intersectionality in the work toward freedom and justice. A statement by Christianne Marguerite, Director of Communications at Progressive Maryland. 

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The Progressive Maryland Returning Citizens Task Force (previously known as the Reentry Work Group) held a grant program kickoff event to celebrate grant recipients!

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PM Weekly Memo for May 23 2022: Stand Strong For A Strong Democracy, Rep. Raskin’s message to us.

We can’t think of a better way to have marked the one year Anniversary of our New Era PAC and election program than by being with more than 300 Marylanders (on zoom and Facebook in real time and viewing later) with more than a dozen impressive progressive PM backed candidates and our own remarkable Champion for Democracy Rep. Jamie Raskin! 

He told us he was thrilled to be working with Progressive Maryland and all of us. We were thrilled to be with him and to hear his inspiring message last Saturday. He expressed what we’ve all been thinking  for some time,“we’re in the fight of our lives” given the attacks from the extreme right or as Congressman Raskin characterized them the “rule or ruin faction.”  He detailed the violent crimes and the harm that was done on January 6, 2021 by the insurrectionists and their enablers in the GOP. He described how razor close our country came to experiencing a coup. 

We prevailed at the end of that terrible and traumatic day but the assaults on our democracy and freedoms continue. Even in a blue state like ours there are Trump loving Republicans on the ballot this year. And an anti-choice group is organizing to put a  statewide ballot measure on the November ballot to  repeal the abortion legislation passed this year (and upheld after Hogan’s veto) in the Maryland General Assembly. We can’t take the outcome of the 2022 elections for granted so here at Progressive Maryland we’ll be very focused for the next two months on organizing extensive voter outreach, voter education and voter turnout efforts for the Primary contests. We’ll be involved in the general election, too! Voter participation is absolutely essential to keeping and growing our democracy. A strong democracy is what will help us, in the words of Rep. Raskin, “advance the interests, needs and agenda of the people.”

Thank you Rep. Raskin for sharing your time and remarks with us last Saturday. Thanks to PM Board Member Cat Paul who introduced the Congressman, to our affiliates and donors who supported the event, and to everyone who tuned in. It was great to see  the PM slate of candidates who joined us from the field where they were door knocking, attending events, and campaigning with volunteers! 

Now it’s time for all of us to jump in!  Please help  power our election work this spring and summer! We have two months left to shape the outcome of a number of County and state legislative elections. Sign up to knock on doors, drop campaign literature,  make calls to voters or help us recruit more volunteers. We have shifts available most weeknights and on weekends. See the memo for ways to get involved or reach out to one of our organizers. 

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Progressive Maryland stands with communities across the nation fighting for abortion justice, and is in support of the statement from People's Action executive director Sulma Arias in response to reports that the Supreme Court of the United States intends to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

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Progressive Maryland's 2022 Legislative Agenda

 

Criminal Justice & Police Reform

Progressive Maryland is fighting to end the mass incarceration of people of color in our state. Eliminating the use of cash bail, reducing pretrial detention and increasing rights for our immigrant communities are all reforms that would bring us significantly closer to that goal. We are advocating for probation over deportation (SB0265) and ensuring that immigrants have access to legal counsel in deportation proceedings (SB0129). We are also advocating for a Good Samaritan law, which would prohibit the arrest of anyone experiencing a medical emergency after using alcohol or drugs or anyone trying to assist someone in such a situation (HB0190); and funding for entrepreneurship development programs for formerly incarcerated people via the Maryland New Start Act of 2022 (HB0158).

Revisioning the role of police in our communities is also key. We are advocating for the removal of police from schools to enhance the safety of students; and the requirement of minimizing the presence of police in responses to a behavioral health crisis in order to minimize law enforcement interaction with individuals in such a crisis and increase public safety in our communities (SB0012). We are also supporting higher standards of transparency within policing such as stricter use of body-worn cameras with public access to data and recordings (HB0162); and accountability for police like with the creation of a civilian review board in Baltimore City (SB0309). 

 

Drug Policy

We are supporting the decriminalization of all drugs and drug paraphernalia; and the legalization of marijuana for adult use and possession (HB0001). 

We believe that decriminalization is only rightfully paired with the expungement of records. We are pushing for records to be automatically erased due to a variety of reasons including dismissed charges based on mistaken identity (SB0016) as well as for possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana (SB0026).

We are also advocating for the creation of Overdose Prevention Sites, the immunity of people who seek help in medical emergencies, the decriminalization of paraphernalia, and other methods designed to address the ongoing overdose crisis. We support ending the requirement for prior authorization of the MD Medical Assistance Program to administer drug products to treat opioid use disorder in order to remove any barriers to saving a life (SB0323) along with authorizing any emergency medical services providers to dispense naloxone for treatment of drug overdose under the Statewide Targeted Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act of 2022 (SB0394).

 

Healthcare Justice:

We’ve long known that our corporate healthcare system is unjust and inequitable, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more clear than ever that we need major reforms. We are advocating for a measure that will require Maryland hospitals to reimburse low-income patients they have dramatically overcharged for care. We are also supporting multiple bills that will implement paid family and medical leave for workers across the state. 

The Access to Care Act will expand vital health services and coverage to members of our immigrant communities by allowing them to sign up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act regardless of their immigration status. And we’re supporting a commission to study the implementation of a single payer healthcare system in Maryland to help us move toward Medicare for All. 

We will continue to advocate for greater investment in community health services, including overdose prevention sites, vaccination programs, and other preventative and primary care services. 

 

Labor & Economic Justice: 

We believe that all workers are entitled to safe workplaces and proper compensation. Passing a stronger Essential Workers Protection Act will provide for our essential workers through this immediate crisis. Furthermore, repairing the broken unemployment insurance system, guaranteed paid sick and family leave for all, anti-discrimination legislation for working moms, and closing loopholes in minimum wage law will benefit workers now and into the future. The bottom line is that we need to establish the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in the Maryland Department of Labor through the Time to Care Act of 2022 (SB0275).

We support the right of all workers to unionize and we stand behind bills that will expand collective bargaining rights (SB0118, SB0255, HB0374) and prevent companies from writing off payments to union busting firms as a business expense on their taxes (HB0172). We also support doing away with all federal student loans to improve financial equity, support our workers, and improve our economy. 

 

Housing Justice:

Maryland is one of the most expensive states in the country to live in. In these unprecedented times, we need to stop evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs; and provide payment assistance for Marylanders who have fallen behind on rent and mortgages for reasons far beyond their control. As we look to the future, we must invest in social housing and ensure that landlords’ screening processes don’t penalize potential tenants through credit checks and other similar mechanisms.

 

Environment, Energy & Transportation: 

Black, Brown and Indigenous communities deserve the same clean air and water as white communities. The MD Environmental Human Rights Amendment and ending government subsidies for trash incineration are just a couple of the necessary changes that will protect communities of color from racist, predatory land use decisions. We are pushing for an amendment that would add the following two provisions to the Declaration of Rights Section of the MD State Constitution: 1. that everyone has the fundamental and inalienable right to a healthy and sustainable environment of which shall not be infringed; and 2. that the State shall protect, conserve, and enhance our natural resources, including air, lands, waters, wildlife, and ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations. 

With that said, we are advocating for an alteration to the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard so that the definition of a Tier 1 Renewable Source would exclude certain biomass in which waste-to-energy incineration would no longer be part of this category nor be able to receive the benefits under this categorization. Along with eliminating trash incineration under the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2022 (HB0011), we are supporting the electrification of residential homes as long as investments and profits are going directly into low-income, high-burdened communities. This includes requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide funding for energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households (HB0108); and the Department of Human Services to allow anyone to benefit from the ​​Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which currently has eligibility requirements (HB0138).

In the transportation sector, we have previously supported increased funding for the equitable expansion of public transit and are now working to ensure that equity is implemented in state transportation plans and reports. As part of that, we support requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct transit equity analyses and consult with certain communities before announcing or proposing service changes (SB0023). We believe that access to public transportation should be abundant, affordable and equitable and this legislation is a step in the right direction. 

 

Education:

We believe that K-12 school curriculums should reflect the diverse and expansive history of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people and immigrants in this country and across the world. We also support increased funding for outdoor education and the expansion of internet access in underserved public schools, particularly those located in low-income communities of color. 

Many workers in Maryland's higher education system are exploited and dramatically underpaid, and we support legislation that will grant them collective bargaining rights, empowering them to fight for fair compensation and be treated with dignity by their employers. 

 

Democracy Reform:

When corporations and the super wealthy are the ones who fund our elections, our elected officials are more responsive to their donors than they are to their constituents and everyday Marylanders. We need publicly financed elections for General Assembly races to reduce the outsize influence of big money in our government, which is why we are supporting the Public Financing Act (SB0358).

 

Progressive Taxation:

Corporations and the wealthy benefit financially from police and fire departments, roads and public transit, an educated workforce, and many other services provided by the government. We need to ensure they are paying their fair share of taxes by closing loopholes and raising taxes for multi-millionaires. The Corporate Tax Fairness Act of 2022 (SB0360) will require certain corporations to compute Maryland taxable income using a certain combined reporting method.

 

 

If you are already a member or email subscriber, you may manage your information with us via our Supporter Self-Service Portal: pgmd.us/portal

When you enter the email address we have on file for you, you will receive a link with access to the portal. Once in the portal, you may edit your personal contact information, billing information, contributions, date your membership payment is charged each month, email subscription status, sign up for text messages, and much more. If you still have further questions regarding your information, you may send us a detailed message at [email protected] 

 

Progressive Maryland is proud to endorse the following candidates for the 2022 Maryland Primary Election:

 

Andrew Duck for State Senator (District 4 - Frederick County)

Andrew is the 15th of 17 children and graduated from Middletown High School. He has been married to his wife, Whitney, for over 40 years. They have three children and five grandchildren. Andrew served in the Army for over 20 years as a Military Intelligence Officer, which included three tours in Bosnia and time on the ground in Iraq. Andrew retired from the Army and decided to get politically active. He ran for Congress in 2006 and helped to lay the groundwork for turning Frederick County from a Republican leaning county to a Democratic leaning county. Andrew was active in 2016 with the formation of Our Revolution, Frederick County Progressives, and organized the Love Trumps Hate Rally, which lead to the formation of Frederick Cares. Andrew has long been a supporter of Unions as well an advocate for Medicare for All. Andrew believes by identifying solutions to the challenges we face we can build our communities back better than before, which includes not having insurrectionists in the State Legislature. Andrew wants to fight inflation by enforcing anti-trust and price gouging laws, ensuring that everyone is paying a fair price rather than padding the pockets of CEOs. Andrew also would like to transition off of fossil fuels, eliminating one of the major factors in inflation. Andrew would push for funding to build a second hospital in Frederick County and advocate for funding to increase access to mental healthcare.

 

Andrew Saundry for Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, At-Large (District 15)

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Andrew Saundry is a Progressive Democratic organizer based out of his hometown of Germantown, MD. A recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Andrew is proud to serve Montgomery County Democrats as President of the Germantown Democratic Club and an At-Large member of your Democratic Central Committee. He is committed to expanding the big tent that is the Democratic Party by registering new young voters and ensuring disillusioned voters find a home with us.

 

Carlos Childs for Charles County Commissioner (District 3)

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Carlos Childs is a progressive Democrat and community organizer with legislative experience and a strong history of progressive advocacy. In 2020, Carlos co-founded Schools Not Jails, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline by investing in public education, with other Maryland activists. He currently serves as the State Organizing Director for Our Revolution Maryland, where he builds support for federal, state, and local policies that improve the standard of living for all working Americans. On the Charles County Board of Commissioners, Carlos plans to improve healthcare access by pushing to establish a full-service public hospital in Waldorf, address the cost of living by introducing a countywide rent stabilization program, and invest in public infrastructure by spearheading initiatives to create new parks and recreation centers for community members. 

 

Edward Burroughs III for Prince George’s County Council (District 8)

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A lifelong South County resident, Edward Burroughs has spent the last decade serving as an elected member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education. In this role, Edward has built a strong reputation for speaking out against political corruption, fighting for innovative and transformative education policies, and holding public school system leaders accountable for providing all students a quality education. As the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, Edward also has firsthand experience developing thoughtful crime prevention policies to keep communities safe. On the County Council, Edward will continue to push tirelessly for government transparency and accountability. He will be a fierce advocate for youth, working families, and seniors across the district, ensuring county policies and initiatives are always developed in ways that give back to local communities and uplift future generations. 

 

Eric Olson for Prince George's County Council (District 3)

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Eric represented Prince George’s County District 3 as its Council Member from 2006 – 2014. He served as County Council Vice Chair from 2010 to 2012, and as Chair of its Transportation, Housing, and Environment Committee. Eric chaired the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Region Forward Committee, and served as a member of the region’s Transportation Planning Board. He previously served as a board member for the Coalition to Build the Purple Line. He is a recipient of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award.

From 2014 until resigning on March 31st this year to focus on his campaign, Eric served as Executive Director of the College Park City-University Partnership. This community development corporation is growing homeownership, improving walkability, expanding local businesses, increasing educational opportunities, enhancing public spaces and more.

Previously, Eric was a College Park City Council Member (1997 -2006); Director of the Sierra Club’s Healthy Communities Campaign; Deputy Director of Fairvote, a national election reform and voting rights organization; and a Legislative Aide to then-Congressman, now U.S. Senator, Bernie Sanders.

 

Fatmata Barrie for Montgomery County Council (District 5)

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Fatima Barrie is your candidate for bringing equity and inclusion to the Montgomery County Council. She is your White Oak neighbor who is also an immigration and special education attorney. For 20 years, she has been a staunch advocate for civil rights, especially where it concerns special education, criminal justice, youth, women, and immigrants.

 

Ian Miller for Baltimore County Central Committee (District 44B)

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Ian is from Catonsville, in Baltimore County. He’s currently a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he’s majoring in Government and Politics. He’s been active in politics and the grassroots progressive movement since 2014, when he volunteered for a state delegate candidate who is a public school teacher and his dad’s best friend. That experience got Ian hooked on elections and gave him valuable experience in door knocking  and working the polls. He organized pro-gun control walkouts and climate strikes when he was in high school and is very committed to youth organizing and building political power for young people.

During this recent period of police killings and social protest, Ian has focused on racial justice and criminal justice reform. He took on a leadership role in the Catonsville Youth for Black Lives Matter and Baltimore County Youth Speaks, two groups that have organized protests and rallies, and worked to pass police and education reform on the County level. He’s part of the Baltimore County Progressive Roundtable and the Baltimore County Legislative Workgroup. Ian recently joined Ruben Amaya’s campaign for Delegate (District 10) as the Director of Policy, Communications, and Social Media.

 

Jamila Woods for State Delegate (District 26 – Prince George’s County)

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Rev. Jamila J. Woods is a 2-time graduate of Howard University, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Divinity. Additionally she earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland, at Baltimore. Rev. Jamila is currently a licensed Social Worker, and is employed with the District of Columbia Government. She is also the owner of Gabriel’s Lyric Therapeutic Services, LLC, in Prince George’s County Maryland. She is also the Pastor of Jabez Christian Community Church, in Charles County, Maryland.

 

Januari McKay for State Delegate (District 23B – Prince George’s County)

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Januari McKay is an advocate and community educator with over fifteen years of experience in youth development, public health advocacy, and political organizing. Januari has partnered with various national and local organizations to mobilize civic engagement, led innovative public health initiatives to address reproductive health and the HIV/AIDS crisis, and worked to develop and support young leaders. As a case manager working with youth in the child welfare system, she has experienced firsthand how our state and local governments work – and how often they don’t work – for the people who are hurting most. Through her extensive experience, Januari has come to recognize the importance of an approach that blends grassroots organizing with committed advocacy and smart policy to make meaningful strides toward a better society. As State Delegate, she will always put her constituents first to set a new, people-powered agenda that improves life for all Prince George’s County residents. 

 

Kai Hagen for Frederick County Executive

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Kai is a genuine, honest and effective leader who will lead an honest, fair and effective government that works for everyone in our community! He is running for Frederick County Executive because he is the right person for this important job, at the right time. His depth of knowledge about Frederick County and his breadth of experience with county government, combined with his values, vision and dedication to our community to make him the best leader to follow the two terms of current County Executive Jan Gardner. Kai loves Frederick County, and he will protect what we love about Frederick County, while effectively and efficiently maintaining and improving the many things that county government already does well, and providing the leadership we need to address the familiar and new challenges we face.

 

Kate Stewart for Montgomery County Council (District 4)

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Kate first came to Montgomery County in 1995, renting a house on Philadelphia Avenue with her husband Jon. Several years later, they moved to a home in Takoma Park, where they raised their two children, Jamie and Bridget; both recent graduates of Montgomery Blair High School. 

Kate was elected as the Mayor of Takoma Park in 2015 and has proven her ability to lead— even as so many communities, like hers, have had to handle issues ranging from the COVID-19 crisis, underlying economic inequalities, racial injustice, and climate change. Her record shows that effective government is the product of effective leadership and she wants to see her larger community served by leaders who roll up their sleeves in the face of steep challenges.

 

Krystal Oriadha for Prince George’s County Council (District 7)

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Krystal Oriadha has spent years advocating for policies and legislation that support and protect the residents of Prince George’s County. As co-founder of the grassroots organization PG ChangeMakers, she has worked to break down systemic racism and address community issues around housing, food insecurity, health care, LGBTQ rights, police reform, and education. Krystal recognizes the importance of standing in solidarity with the communities most impacted by policies to build grassroots power, and she’s ready to introduce an agenda that reflects this at the county level. On the Prince George’s County Council, Krystal will fight to pass policies that improve the overall quality of life in local communities, ensure economic development serves everyone, and center the voices and needs of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

 

Laurie-Anne Sayles for Montgomery County Council At-Large

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Laurie-Anne Sayles is a lifelong public servant who envisions a more inclusive, informed, and innovative Montgomery County led by a responsive and conscientious government. In 2017, Laurie-Anne was elected to the Gaithersburg City Council, becoming the first African American councilmember in the city’s history after running a people-powered, energetic grassroots campaign. A seasoned advocate, she has fought for a $15 minimum wage, expanded access to early childhood education, immigration reform, environmental justice, and other policies to build a more equitable society. She uses her life experiences to fuel a steadfast commitment to helping others who are underserved, underrepresented, and less fortunate. Laurie-Anne is running to bring her S.M.A.R.T. government platform to Montgomery County, with a policy agenda designed to strengthen public education, improve housing affordability, invest in local food production, revitalize the economy, and establish equitable transportation initiatives.  

 

Lisa Burnam for Prince George’s County Council (District 9)

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Lisa Burnam is a socialist running to represent Prince George’s County District 9 because we need someone with vision and is willing to doggedly fight for policies that meet the needs of working families and the climate crisis. We need someone who will be an advocate for parents by actively collaborating with the District 9 Board of Education counterpart to ensure the best investments are being made in our future leaders. We need someone who will boldly stand with labor in the fight for more quality jobs, democratizing the workplace, achieving greater worker protections and family-supporting wages. We need someone who will fight for small businesses and a fairer, progressive tax code.

 

Logan Endow for State Delegate (District 43 - Baltimore City)

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A Baltimore native, Logan Endow is an economist with over a decade of experience in gun violence prevention and epidemic control. In recent years, he has advocated with the Baltimore Teachers Union for the Kirwan Commission to improve funding for public schools, with National Nurses United for medical debt relief, and with the Baltimore Fair Election Coalition for campaign finance reform. As State Delegate representing District 43 in Baltimore City, Logan will act with courage and expertise to address urgent public health concerns and the crisis of gun violence. His platform prioritizes violence prevention, COVID-19 pandemic recovery, educational equity, and economic relief. 

 

Marc Elrich for Montgomery County Executive

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Marc Elrich was elected to the Takoma Park City Council from 1987 and served until 2006. As part of that body, he was involved in immigrant rights, sanctuary legislation, strengthening the city’s rent stabilization law, passing a law recognizing domestic partnerships, creating day laborer sites, and introducing and passing resolutions opposing both Iraq wars. From 1989 to 2006, he also taught at Rolling Terrace Elementary School, one of the highest-poverty public schools in Montgomery County. He ended up attending Johns Hopkins to earn a Master’s in Teaching and he taught fourth grade for 14 years and fifth grade for three years. His experience teaching was what reinforced to him that, if we really want to close the opportunity gap and help kids succeed, we need to address the destabilizing impacts of poverty. Kids experience stress when they don’t know where they’re going to live the next month, and it’s really hard to ask a kid whose stomach hurts on Monday morning because she hasn’t eaten a hot meal since Friday lunch to focus on school. He has seen firsthand how helping families economically can have a major impact on kids’ lives. He also has business experience, having worked for both a large corporation and a small local business. He understands the challenges of meeting payroll and being successful in the marketplace.

 

Max Socol for State Senator (District 18)

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Max Socol is running to represent District 18 in the Maryland State Senate. He is a community organizer and he fights for justice in Montgomery County and beyond. Most importantly, he is your neighbor. Ten years ago, while he was organizing food banks and voter registration drives in North Carolina, he became a leader in Reverend Barber’s Moral Mondays movement and a full-time community organizer at Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, where he trained thousands of community leaders to build their power and win campaigns for better wages, an end to police violence and deportations, affordable housing, and more. Here in Montgomery County, he helped to start organizations like the Silver Spring Justice Coalition and the MORE Network, served on the County Executive’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, and he engages our elected leaders every day on issues from affordable housing to climate change. District 18 should be a statewide leader in progressive policies that lift up every single person who lives here. If we fight for it, we can have high quality and affordable housing. We can have universal healthcare and living wages. We can have high-quality, fully-funded public schools and a clean, healthy environment for our kids. We can have a tax system where working people pay less and the rich pay a fair share. We can have public safety programs that are grounded in compassion and care, not coercion and racism. These changes are all within reach, but they won’t happen on their own. We don’t have to wait for others to lead our struggles – we can lead the way right here in our district.

 

Michele Gregory for State Senate (District 38 – Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester Counties)

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Salisbury City Councilmember Michele Gregory is a public servant, wife, mother of three, educator, and former small business owner. Michele understands the struggles that working Marylanders face. Her life experience with the financial impacts of medical debt, incurred during a family health crisis, and the difficulties of being a medical advocate for her special needs child have led Michele to recognize the urgent need for transformative political change. She is strongly committed to health equity, and she will work tirelessly to ensure all Marylanders have easy access to quality health care and medications without the threat of accumulating devastating medical debt. In the Salisbury City Council, Michele has fought for meaningful measures to protect and enhance the lives of her constituents on the Eastern Shore, and she plans to bring those same fights to the State Senate. In Annapolis, she will prioritize investing in a human-centered economy, supporting the agricultural community, helping small businesses flourish, stewarding Chesapeake Bay ecosystems, expanding senior services, implementing universal pre-K, and protecting civil rights.

 

Millicent Hall for State Senate (District 4 - Frederick County)

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Millicent was born in FMH, now called Frederick Health Hospital and just turned 40 in May. Millicent is married to her husband Doug, and they have two children and three dogs. Millicent became politically active when her youngest, who has special needs, entered Pre-K and she wanted to do more to help improve education for both teachers and students. Millicent ran for the Board of Education and built a reputation of being honest and reliable. Millicent went on to serve as the VP of the Women's Democratic League of Frederick County, Board Member of United Democrats of Frederick County, and a Member of the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee. Millicent was active in Frederick County Progressives, and was the Frederick contact for the Bernie Campaign. She later went on to take an active role in Our Revolution Western MD. In 2018 Millicent developed Dysautomina/POTS, which caused her to be hospitalized four times in six months, and she spent a year and a half in a wheelchair. With hard work and physical therapy Millicent was able to get out of the wheelchair and that experience ignited a passion for healthcare.  Millicent also believes that politicians need to stop worrying about getting re-elected and start getting things done. Millicent believes that treating people with dignity and respect, and actively listening and engaging with constituents will build a sense of collective community which will help bridge the political divides that exist in District 4.

 

Natali Fani-González for Montgomery County Council (District 6)

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Natali Fani-González is a social, economic, and environmental justice advocate. She believes everyone in Montgomery County deserves to live somewhere safe, vibrant, and affordable, with access to well-paying jobs, strong schools, quality health care, reliable public transportation, and beautiful green spaces to enjoy and protect. Natali has extensive civil service experience and a history of working closely with community organizations and labor unions to address the needs of community members. Before stepping down to run for office, she served as Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board and a Commissioner for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the bi-county agency that regulates real estate development, plans transportation infrastructure, and manages the park systems in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. 

 

Robbie Leonard for Baltimore County State’s Attorney

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Robbie Leonard has spent over a decade fighting for justice in Baltimore area courtrooms and is running to bring fairness and transparency to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney Office. Robbie began his legal career as a fearless public defender, tirelessly advocating for clients in district, circuit, and juvenile courts. He later transitioned to a civil litigation focus, where he has won several million-dollar verdicts on behalf of children poisoned by lead exposure in Baltimore. An active member of his community with deep roots in the Maryland Democratic Party, Robbie will hold himself accountable to the demands and concerns of Baltimore County residents as State’s Attorney. He is committed to engaging and collaborating with those who have been directly impacted by the failings of the justice system, whether they are victims of domestic violence, families seeking restorative healing, or individuals returning to the community after incarceration.

 

Ruben Amaya for State Delegate (District 10 – Baltimore County)

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Ruben Amaya is a progressive Democrat running for office to represent the needs of working families. Raised in Baltimore County by parents who immigrated from Central America, Ruben is committed to crafting legislation that reflects the needs of all constituents by bringing marginalized and underrepresented voices into the decision making process. He will push for measures that provide children with better opportunities in education, invest in local economies to promote job growth, protect the environment, and ensure communities remain safe. Ruben is an at-large member of the Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee and previously served on the Maryland School-to-Prison Pipeline Commission and the Baltimore County School Board Nominating Commission. In these roles, he has fought for criminal justice reform, better representation in public schools, and accountability in the county government. If elected, Ruben will be the first Latino State Delegate in Baltimore County history. 

 

Sheila Ruth for State Delegate (District 44B – Baltimore County)

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Sheila Ruth is a sitting member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 44B in Baltimore County. She serves on the House Environment & Transportation Committee, where she has been a fierce advocate for progressive priorities that address climate, transit equity, racial justice, universal healthcare, mental health, juvenile justice, disability rights, reproductive rights, and workers' rights. Sheila brings to her work a deep passion for justice and a strong commitment to improving the lives of her constituents and all Marylanders. Prior to becoming State Delegate, Sheila was a lead organizer in the coalition that passed Baltimore County’s HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) Act, a critical piece of civil rights legislation that prohibits housing discrimination based on a person’s source of income. She previously served on the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee and as a co-chair of Our Revolution Baltimore. 

 

Stanford Fraser for Prince George’s County Council, At-Large

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Stanford Fraser is a Public Defender in Prince George’s County and lives with his wife, Michele Hall, in Largo Maryland. He graduated from Howard University, in 2013, where he studied History and Community Development. At Howard, Stanford volunteered with Amnesty International in their Repeal the Maryland Death Penalty campaign. As a volunteer, Stanford organized college students in DC and led protests and lobby sessions in Annapolis. Thankfully, Maryland repealed the death penalty in 2013. In the County, Stanford is an active member of various community groups. He is a member of the J Franklin Bourne Bar Association, Prince George’s County Young Democrats, and Progressive Maryland.  Furthermore, he is a regular volunteer with Community Legal Services Of Prince George’s County. With Community Legal Services, Stanford has participated in numerous criminal record expungement fairs throughout the county.

 

Tiffany Jones for Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee (District 45)

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Tiffany Jones is a civil rights advocate, community organizer, and lifelong resident of East Baltimore committed to meaningful political change that works for our communities. In her current role with the City of Baltimore, Tiffany investigates police misconduct cases and acts as an LGBTQ+ liaison for the city government. She serves as a representative on Baltimore’s Public Safety Advisory Commission, a four-year position appointed by the mayor, and is an active member of the Baltimore City Commission for Women. Tiffany has been involved in a wide range of grassroots community initiatives over the years, organizing for healthcare equity, voting rights, and community-centered public safety. On the Democratic State Central Committee, she will work tirelessly to improve the lives of Baltimore residents and ensure their concerns and interests are being represented by the Democratic Party.  

 

Tom Perez for Governor

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As the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, a longtime resident of Takoma Park, and a civil rights attorney, Tom has committed his life to protecting and expanding opportunity and ensuring justice for all Americans.  Tom is running to be your next Governor of Maryland because this is a moment of generational change that requires bold, proven leadership to build a more just and equitable future for all Marylanders. Tom embodies the values of hard work, integrity, service, and perseverance.  He put himself through college at Brown University using pell grants and earning his tuition money in a number of jobs, including working on the back of a garbage truck. He received a B.A.  in international relations and political science, and then went on to receive his Juris Doctor cum laude from Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.

 

Victor Ramirez for Prince George’s County Council (District 2)

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Victor Ramirez was raised in Mount Rainier where he attended Mt. Rainier and Thomas S. Stone Elementary Schools and Hyattsville Middle School. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern High School, where he played football, soccer and baseball. Victor made history in 2002 when he won a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 47th Legislative District in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 2002, he was the first Latino elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. Eight years later he won a seat in the Maryland State Senate, becoming the first Latino ever to serve in that body. Victor continues to stay involved in the community. He is currently vice-president of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce, a trustee for Prince George's Community College, Board Member of ecoLatinos, an environmental non-profit that works to engage, educate, and activate the diverse communities of the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic Region, and is the head varsity soccer coach at Northwestern High School.  He is a parishioner at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cheverly, Maryland. Victor is married to Betsy, a public educator, and they have two children and a Maltese dog.

 

Wala Blegay for Prince George’s County Council (District 6)

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Wala Blegay is an attorney, community activist, and advocate committed to improving the quality of life for Prince George’s County residents. She currently serves as counsel for the DC Nurses Association, where she works to gain labor protections and improve the workplace for nurses and other health care workers. Wala has advocated for civil rights, fought foreclosures, and rallied for police reform. She has provided resources to victims of domestic violence, pushed for quality healthcare access for all Marylanders, and worked to protect immigrant families. On the Prince George’s County Council, she will widen the pathway for programs that benefit constituents through direct access to quality healthcare, increased mental health services, and affordable housing initiatives. She will lead efforts to support and strengthen the local economy through innovative initiatives designed to support small businesses and build generational wealth in historically marginalized communities. 

 

Will Roberts for Montgomery County Council (District 2)

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William has spent his entire career working in the public interest. Growing up he dreamed of being a civil rights lawyer like his hero, Thurgood Marshall. When he became an attorney, the first clients he represented were tenants in fair housing cases - people who needed someone to help them defend their rights and elevate their voices. During the Great Recession, he worked at the federal level and with state and local partners in Maryland to help homeowners hit hard by the subprime mortgage crisis stay in their homes. Recognizing that the fundamental right to vote was under constant assault, he became a national legal and policy voice on protecting voting rights and repairing our democracy. A loyal and active Democrat, William has served as the president of the Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD) and currently serves as president of the Association of Black Democrats (ABD). He served as the D17 Team treasurer under the leadership of State Senator Cheryl Kagen. He has carried out multiple stints as an upcounty precinct official in Districts 15 and 17. In 2015, the county democratic party recognized William’s community work with the Morgan-Jerney Community Service Award for founding the State of Black Montgomery.

 

William Reid for State Delegate (District 3A – Frederick County)

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Dr. William “Billy” Reid is committed to fighting on behalf of everyday people in Frederick County’s District 3A. With thirty years of service as a soldier, an educator, and a scientist, as well as a deep understanding of the issues we all face, Bill is equipped to tackle challenges and bring lasting political change to Maryland. He is committed to a progressive agenda that centers social, economic, educational, racial, environmental, healthcare, and criminal justice. Since his retirement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bill has devoted his time and energy to upholding the ideals of democracy and supporting a safe, healthy, and prosperous future for his community. Bill currently is an elected member of the Frederick County Democratic State Central Committee, and he serves on both the Frederick County COVID-19 Testing Task Force and the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Task Force, where he has helped assess and monitor testing needs and vaccine distribution in some of the county’s most vulnerable communities. 

 

 

More Endorsements:

State Legislative Races

State Senate

Brian Feldman

Clarence Lam

Jim Rosapepe

Karen Lewis Young

Mary Washington

Pamela Queen

Raaheela Ahmed

Sarah Lacey

Susan Lee

 

House of Delegates

Aaron Kaufman

Alethia McCaskill

Alonzo Washington

Ashanti Martinez

Boafo Adrian

Bonnie Cullison

Chris Stevenson

Clint Sobratti

Courtney Buiniskis

Dana Stein

David Fraser-Hidalgo

David Moon

Diana Fennell

Emily Shetty

Eric Ebersole

Gabriel Acevero

Jazz Lewis

Jennifer White

Jim Rosapepe

Joe Vogel

Julie Palakovich Carr

Kathy Schulman

Korey Johnson

LaTasha Ward

Lesley Lopez

Linda Foley

Lorig Charkoudian

Mark Edelson

Monica Roebuck

Samuel I. "Sandy" Rosenberg

Vaughn Stewart

 

Local Races

Chelsea Montague, Calvert County Commissioner At Large

Heather Mizeur for Congress, District 1

Jennifer Mendes Dwyer, Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee

Julio Murillo, Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, District 47

Le Shaun Quander-Mosley, Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee At Large, District 23

Patrice Murray, Prince George's County Council, District 4

Peter Witzler, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, At-Large

Robert Van Rens, Frederick City Board of Alderman

Tom Hucker, Montgomery County Council At Large

Will Jawando, Montgomery County Council

 

 

Looking for our Questionnaires for Endorsement? Here they are:

2022 Candidate Questionnaire for the Maryland State Senate
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for the Maryland State Delegation
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for Montgomery County Council
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for Prince George's County Council

 

The REWG was formed in 2019 to respond to an unmet need – the lack of transitional housing and programs, social services, and jobs for returning citizens in Prince George's County. The group continues to advocate for voter access, re-entry housing, jobs, healthcare, funding for a transition center, and formation of an Office of Returning Citizens Affairs for the county. The increasing needs from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple of years have only exacerbated this pressing problem. Progressive Maryland believes that the state as a whole must address this crisis to ensure returning residents’ successful reintegration into our communities.

Get Involved with the Reentry Work Group by filling out the interest form here.

--Learn more our 6 pillar priorities and work group members here. 

So far, the work group has:

• strengthened voting rights and access for incarcerated people
• successfully lobbied for the formation of the Reentry Advisory Board
• secured funding for employment wage incentives for businesses to hire returning citizens

As a direct result of REWG advocacy, the county increased funding for reentry from zero dollars in 2019 to more than $300,000 in the most recent fiscal budget.

--View our brochure supporting an Office of Returning Citizens Affairs (ORCA) here.

--View our brochure supporting stable housing here.

Our Faith and Community Engagement (FACE) Resource Network provides a variety of comprehensive services and resources that empower justice-involved men, women, and young adults to achieve a successful, productive quality of life outside the prison walls by building a strong network of faith-based and community- based organizational partnerships that support safe and healthy communities, and promote restorative practices that address trauma, strengthen families, and help reduce recidivism for a more just and socially responsible society. Learn more here.

 

2022 Candidate Questionnaire for the Maryland State Senate
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for the Maryland State Delegation
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for Montgomery County Council
2022 Candidate Questionnaire for Prince George's County Council

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‘What do we want? A Caring Economy! Medicare expansion and lower Rx prices! More good jobs! Climate Action! A Pathway to Citizenship! Corporate accountability and tax fairness! When do we want it? Now!’ 

We’re marching in the streets, contacting Members of Congress, mobilizing our base, and lifting up progressive messages and progressive champions to counter the tired old Joe Manchin and mainstream narrative.

"We" of course means you, all of you ready for change from your neighborhood to Annapolis to DC, and holding elected officials accountable to work to improve your lives, not those of lobbyists and corporate CEOs. Read on to see how.

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A new report from People's Action and Demos details the avalanche of corporate spending to stop or trim important measures that would expand Medicare, childcare, paid family leave, community health programs, green jobs and critical climate initiatives.

“It’s not surprising that these businesses that represent billionaire and multi-millionaire CEOs and stockholders are lobbying hard to keep the status quo in place -- big tax breaks for them, higher prices and lower wages for us -- and that they are spending tens of millions of dollars to vocalize their demands and to drown out the peoples’ voices” said Larry Stafford, Executive Director of Progressive Maryland.

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Our political system is plagued by the influence of big money donors. Candidates running for office spend an enormous amount of their time talking to and raising funds from wealthy donors and corporate PACs to fund their campaigns. This system leads to government policies favoring the wealthy and serves as a barrier for many candidates. Women, people of color, and those from working-class backgrounds often do not have wealthy networks that allow one to raise sufficient funds and have a competitive campaign. 

 

Thankfully county governments in Maryland can establish an alternative fundraising model called a Fair Election Fund. A Fair Election fund is a public campaign financing fund that matches small-dollar donations to qualifying candidates. In order for candidates to qualify for public matching funds, they have to agree to not accept donations from corporate PACs or donations above $250. 

 

We are currently working to implement this program in Anne Arundel County after having successfully pushed for the creation of programs in Montgomery, Howard, Prince George’s, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County. 

 

Montgomery County used the program successfully during the 2018 elections, and we saw a majority of the elected county councilors using the fund. You can read more about how the program worked in Montgomery County here: Fair Elections in Montgomery County

 

We also held a Fair Elections in Anne Arundel County Town Hall featuring State Senator Sarah Elfreth, County Council Member Lisa Rodvien, and Government Relations Director Pete Barron discussing how this program works and how it would benefit Anne Arundel County. You can view a recording of this Town Hall here.

 

To support our work you can sign our petition listed below! You can also follow us on social media and contact our Lead Organizer, Jesse Noviello, at [email protected] or 443-792-9826 to join our taskforce.

 

Click here to sign the Petition for Fair Elections in Anne Arundel County

 

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