First and foremost, we want to celebrate and honor our incredible Lead Healthcare Organizer, Patty Snee, as she begins her retirement after an extraordinary 45 years in the movement.

Since joining Progressive Maryland in 2020, Patty has helped shape and strengthen some of our most impactful work. She launched our Maryland People's Leadership Institute (MPLI), helped lead our COVID response efforts, built our Healthcare Task Force into one of our strongest organizing spaces, and led campaigns around prescription drug affordability, medical debt, Medicaid protections, safe staffing, Medicare For All, and so much more. Her work has touched countless lives and helped build lasting power in communities across Maryland.

Patty has always reminded us that organizing is about people, relationships, and showing up for one another. While we’re saying goodbye to her staff role, we’re grateful this is not goodbye to the movement as Patty will still be volunteering and helping fight for healthcare justice and progressive victories in 2026.

Patty, thank you for your leadership, your passion, and the lasting impact you’ve had on Progressive Maryland and beyond. We wish you a joyful and well-deserved retirement. ❤️

It's because of people like Patty, and all of our members, that Progressive Maryland was named #2 in the Top 10 Liberal Blogs in Maryland. Thank you!

Read on for important updates, ways to get involved in this election season, upcoming events, and state and national news you can use.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

  • Get Involved
  • Campaign Updates
  • Local Chapter Updates

  • AAPI Events
  • State & National News

Get Involved: Build the #ProgressiveWave

This year’s primary election is critical. At a time when our communities are facing rising costs and real attacks on our rights, we need leaders who will actually fight for us, and win. That only happens if we organize.

We need more folks to step up right now. Our Throwdown Thursdays phonebanks are how we reach voters, build momentum, and make sure our voices are heard.

Throwdown Thursdays Phonebanks
We still need more folks to step up! Join us every Thursday at 6 PM through Primary Election Day to call voters and help elect leaders who will fight for working families and our communities. Even one shift can make a real difference.


Sign up and join us this week →

Canvassing Opportunities

Our canvasses this past weekend were a great success! Volunteers spent time talking with voters, building community, and having fun while helping connect people to candidates who will fight for us. Check out some photos below from the field.

Ready for the next one? Join us for our next round of canvassing on May 30:

Come out, bring a friend, and help us keep the momentum going! 

Issue Campaigns Updates:

Healthcare Justice: Getting the Health Care We Deserve, Medicare For All!

Take a minute now to urge Sen. Alsobrooks to sponsor the Medicare For All Act - use this link to email her today! 

Local Chapter Updates:

Harford County: Hear America Canvass

Saturday, May 30, from 11 am to 2 pm in Edgewood

Hear America is a nonpartisan canvass and listening campaign. As a canvasser, you’ll knock doors, talk with neighbors, and help build support for a bold, popular agenda rooted in the Willing to Fight Pledge. Join our partners with the Working Families Party Maryland Wolf Pack and other members in Progressive Harford County to reach out to local neighbors in Edgewood. Learn More

AAPI MONTH:

Throughout May, communities across Maryland are celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with festivals, cultural events, and opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate. Check out a few events happening around the state, and be sure to explore more:

Gaithersburg (Month-Long Events)
The City of Gaithersburg is hosting a series of events throughout May celebrating AAPI heritage.
View full calendar →

Baltimore
Asia North 2026: Queer Asian Gallery Walk + Talkback | May 21, 6–8 PM
SNF Parkway Theatre
An interactive gallery experience exploring identity, culture, and community through APIMEDA artists.
Learn more →

Howard County
AAPI Festival | May 30, 12–4 PM
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, Columbia
A free, family-friendly festival featuring performances, food, and cultural celebrations.
Learn more →

Anne Arundel County
Celebrate Asian American Culture Festival | May 31
A full day of food, music, and cultural performances for all ages.
Learn more → 

Young Marylanders struggle with health costs; ship builders deny blame in Key Bridge accident: News You Can Use

It's a potpourri this week, with significant but unsensational (mostly) stories coming out of Maryland -- the floundering Trump war machine soaks up most of the attention. Health insurance costs get a double dose of coverage, as do arguments about ICE facilities in the state. Flailing about on the current war is hurting Trump most, Politico Playbook reports: "according to the latest NYT/Siena poll, 64 percent of voters say going to war was the wrong decision, more than double the share who think it was right. Trump is at 31 percent approval for his handling of the war and 37 percent overall job approval."

The Monday message from People's Action about doings in Congress reminds us in Maryland that our national reps are vulnerable to the big-money PACs -- most recently,  a power-financed one from Big Crypto that is bringing senators (one of ours, included) into line to vote crypto's way on the Clarity Act, as it is called.

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...