As June comes to a close and we prepare to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary this week, we're reminded that the story of America has always been shaped by people who organized, spoke out, and fought to expand freedom, justice, and democracy. That work didn't end with our country's founding, and it certainly isn't over today.

While we're living through a period of backlash against many hard-won rights, last week's primary elections also reminded us that people-powered movements continue to make history. Here in Maryland, we helped elect and defend progressive champions up and down the ballot—winning key State Senate seats, protecting progressive majorities in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore, and sending more community leaders into office. Ballots are still being counted in several races, but one thing is already clear: when we organize together, we win.

As we head into July, we're excited to build on that momentum through our issue campaigns, local organizing, and community events across the state. We hope you'll stay plugged in and continue building this movement with us.

Read on for important updates, upcoming events and state and national news you can use.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team 

 

In Memory of Maria Dennis ꨄ︎

This week's memo is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and longtime Progressive Maryland board member and Frederick County Progressives volunteer, Maria Dennis, whose lifelong commitment to service, community, and justice touched so many across our movement.

Maria believed deeply in building a better Maryland through organizing, advocacy, and compassion for others. Her legacy will continue to inspire our work, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Read more about Maria's remarkable life and legacy here → 

 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

  • Election Recap & Thank You
  • Local Chapter Updates
  • State & National News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank You for Building the #ProgressiveWave 

Over the past several weeks, you've answered the call. You phonebanked, knocked doors, worked the polls, shared our emails and social media posts, donated, volunteered, and—most importantly—cast your ballot. Because of supporters like you, we helped elect progressive champions in competitive races across Maryland and built momentum for the movement we're growing together.

Thank you for showing up for our communities and proving what people-powered organizing can accomplish.

ICYMI: Check out our endorsed candidates who advanced to the November General Election and see how our movement performed across the state →

While the primary may be over, our work is far from finished. We'll be back at it this summer organizing around our issue campaigns, supporting our endorsed candidates through November, and continuing to build a Maryland that works for everyone.

 

Local Chapter Updates:

Frederick County:

We're proud to celebrate a strong primary election night! Five of our endorsed candidates have advanced to the November General Election: Tiffany Grant (At-Large), Louisa Conklin (District 1), Christian Benford (District 3), Kavonte Duckett (District 4), and Johnny Mercer (District 5).

We're especially excited to celebrate Tiffany Grant, who earned the highest vote total in the At-Large race in her very first campaign for public office. Together, these candidates are committed to fighting for safe and affordable housing, rent stabilization, livable wages, affordable healthcare, ethical government, and a more equitable Frederick for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, knocked doors, made calls, and voted. This victory belongs to our entire community, and we're excited to keep the momentum going through November!

Shore Progress: Summer Social

Join us for our 5th Annual Summer Social on July 25 at Layton's Chance Vineyard & Winery. Enjoy an afternoon of food, drinks, guest speakers, raffles, music, and community while supporting efforts to elect leaders who will fight for working families across Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Get your tickets here →

 

News You Can Use: The Sun's relentless pursuit of Moore gets scrutiny

Welcome to News You Can Use for this week, capped by the Inglorious Fourth of Trump Triumph.

The Baltimore Sun's relentless pursuit of Gov. Moore's military record vs. his recollections and statements -- pretty obvious to any press observer in Maryland -- gets scrutiny on a professional level from the Columbia Journalism Review up there in New York. The Sun is owned by a very conservative broadcast executive who (by this account) does a certain amount of micromanaging the news content at the once-revered daily. So depending on your politics, this is either fake news from an elite Ivy institution's J-school, or an example of Maryland news practices catching the critical eye of a longtime and respected watchdog of the press. Take a look at the CJR report and pick a side.

We also have other news from Maryland about state efforts to keep our folks' head above water as the Trump administration continues to thin out resources that were appropriated (but not now defended) by a supine Congress. And you may not always enjoy the Beltway, or I-70/270 or I-68, but a new study on the 70th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System includes data on how much it saves in lives, time, money and tanksful of gas or diesel. And how much more the country should be spending to keep it up. Megan E of People's Action, coincidentally, charts in her report how much money Trump is seeking for the military so we can lose more ill-conceived wars. Just think of how many potholes those bucks would fill.

Ignore Trump; try to make July 4 count just the way YOU want it to.

It's News You Can Use for this week. Read on. 

 

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc., to be published on our website to the blog moderator, Woody. 

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

 

woody woodruff

About

M.A. and Ph.d. from University of Maryland Merrill College of Journalism, would-be radical, sci-fi fan... retired to a life of keyboard radicalism...