tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87213027069899764862024-03-05T06:51:41.656-05:00maryland juiceOpinion, news, gossip and politics.David Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429469804005993770noreply@blogger.comBlogger1339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-82475280250130934302016-02-21T17:57:00.002-05:002021-01-05T04:06:49.730-05:00What the Presidential Race Says About the Future of Maryland Politics // Through the Lens of Hillary Clinton vs. Bernie Sanders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By David Moon <i>(guest post)</i> <br />
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This year's presidential primaries have been taking place in the midst of the Annapolis legislative session. As a result, I've been far more focused on Maryland politics than the presidential race. But I've finally started tuning in to the national horserace, and I'm noticing some fascinating data points that Maryland politicos might want to consider. Indeed, without making any commentary or predictions on the presidential race itself, my thesis for Maryland is that the battle for the White House shows the impact of a recession-era (and growing millenial) electorate finally registering. Here are five emerging trends to note:<br />
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<u><b>1) AMERICA'S DEMOCRATIC ELECTORATE IS NOW FIRMLY LIBERAL</b></u> - I've noticed the historic wealth gap routinely discussed in the media, but we hadn't really seen the effects of this on Democrats nationally, in quite the same way the Tea Party has tilted the Republicans. It appears that is beginning to change. This clip from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/20/politics/south-carolina-primary-nevada-caucuses-takeaways/index.html">CNN's discussion of the Nevada Democratic Caucus results</a> stands out: "Among the entrance poll numbers that help explain how Sanders became a serious threat to Clinton: 70% of Nevada's caucusgoers identified themselves as liberal. That's up from the even split in 2008 between liberals and those who called themselves moderate or conservatives. The movement mirrors the results in Iowa and New Hampshire, and make clear that the party's leftward drift is here to stay."<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u><b>MY TAKEAWAY</b></u>: It is a good time for Democrats to speak out forcefully on justice issues, and to do so with credibility. Doing so isn't a guarantee of victory in a 2018 <i>General Election</i>, but it seems harder for us to generate turnout from the base in Maryland, if we aren't speaking to our party's increasingly liberal instincts. At the same time, Maryland's would-be Democratic governors will have to find a way to address this "party-base" sentiment to win the nomination in 2018.</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>2) ESTABLISHMENT POLITICIANS ARE GOING OUT OF STYLE (THANKS TO INDEPENDENTS)</b></u> - Bernie Sanders crushed Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire (where Independents can vote in either party's primary), but only came close to a tie in Nevada (where only registered Democrats can vote in the caucuses). Granted, Nevada has same-day voter registration, thereby allowing people to change parties on caucus day, but <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/election/primaries/polls/NV/Dem">polling in the state</a> confirms Sanders' commanding lead over Clinton among these voters: he won over 70% of Nevada's Independent-minded caucus participants. Indeed, unaffiliated voters are growing at a faster rate than Democrats around the nation, including in places like Maryland. But the challenges this can pose for state Democrats are evident from this single data-point in <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/us/us02182016_Urpfd42.pdf">last week's Quinnipiac poll</a>: "If former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg jumps into the race as a third party candidate against Sanders and Donald Trump or Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Bloomberg would hurt Sanders more than either Republican." You heard that right, a bloc of voters would prefer <u>either</u> Independent socialist Bernie Sanders or Independent billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg to today's Republican candidates. This is a puzzling dynamic, given the two very different views of Bloomberg and Sanders. In a lower turnout gubernatorial election, these types of voters may be the key to victory in Maryland.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u><b>MY TAKEAWAY</b></u>: All of this means, for example, to defeat Governor Larry Hogan during his re-election race, the solution might NOT be to simply find a more moderate Democrat. A better standard might be to find a candidate who is clearly NOT a party hack. In a 2018 General Election fight, a key question for Maryland voters will be "who actually stands for me?" For various reasons, I think Hogan answered this question better than Democrats did in 2014. But as the presidential race shows, only some of this message can be conveyed by substance, as opposed to style (or lack thereof). In my own case, people often say (without flattery) that I don't dress like a politician. But maybe that's exactly my point -- and I would never run for Governor, hahaha, but I myself like to vote for candidates who seem like "real" people. We often say that authenticity matters, but rarely do I see that statement followed-up with an explanation of why. This year's presidential race provides numerous opportunities to study this question, and we would be wise to pay attention in Maryland.</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>3) LATENT SEXISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN PARTS OF THE ELECTORATE</b></u> - If the race ends up being Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump, Clinton's lead among women is somewhere between a tie and a 9-point margin. But the <a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/us/us02182016_Urpfd42.pdf">Quinnipiac poll</a> also notes, "Men vote anyone but Clinton by margins of 8 to 16 percentage points."<i><b> Yikes! </b></i>I've cautioned my Democratic friends against complacency with Clinton as our nominee, because I predict the vitriol we will see against her will be similar to what Republicans have done to Obama. So we have to choose between either a socialist candidate or a polarizing candidate to serve as the punching bag for Republican craziness. That's not an endorsement of either Sanders or Clinton, but one key lesson here is that the Democratic Party establishment should NEVER attempt to scare candidates out of these primaries.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u><b>MY TAKEAWAY</b></u>: We should embrace an organic dialogue within the party, and let these dynamics play out. It might've been useful to have a few more candidates in the race this year, and in 2018 Maryland Democrats should not attempt to artificially narrow the gubernatorial field for a chosen establishment candidate.</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>4) MILLENIALS ARE OUR GENERATION'S DEPRESSION-ERA VOTERS</b></u> - It is not always easy to see historical trends happening when you're standing in the middle of them, but I believe we're witnessing a shift right now. The Great Depression had a lasting impact on voters who came of age during that period, and I imagine we're seeing the same from the millenial generation. This write-up on a <a href="http://reason.com/poll/2015/02/12/poll-americans-like-free-markets-more-th">2015 Reason-Rupe poll</a> provides a snapshot: "Among college-aged Americans, 58 percent report a positive view of socialism and 56 percent a positive view of capitalism." While this may sound like conflicting data to many people, it actually sounds awfully similar to how Northern European social democracies work. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy">Wikipedia's definition of a "social democracy"</a> is as follows: "Social democracy is a political ideology that supports economic and social interventions to <span style="background-color: yellow;">promote social justice within the framework of a capitalist economy</span>, and a policy regime involving welfare state provisions, collective bargaining arrangements, regulation of the economy in the general interest, measures for income redistribution, and a commitment to representative democracy."<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u><b>MY TAKEAWAY</b></u>: In the future, Democrats should increasingly embrace a populist economic justice agenda. Today's college students who DON'T often vote will be tomorrow's 40-year-old's who DO often vote. The millenials are an emergent very large voting bloc, and voting habits form early and can last a long time.</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>5) THE RISE OF MELTING POT POLITICS</b></u> - We've all been hearing how America is headed to a majority-minority future. But just as we're seeing in Montgomery County, that doesn't mean that the nation is rehashing a 1960's black-white paradigm; rather we are witnessing the formation of a multi-racial electorate with large disparate blocs of races and ethnicities. Clinton is crushing Sanders among African-American voters, Sanders is supposedly leading among Latino voters, and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/28/us/pew-study-immigration-asians-hispanics/">Asians will eventually to be the largest ethnic minority in the United States</a>. We see these types of political changes manifest earlier in diverse places like Maryland.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u><b>MY TAKEAWAY</b></u>: Democratic aspirants won't be able to take these groups for granted in the future. In the past, party politicians seeking a promotion have been quick to throw certain groups under the bus. Here are a few examples -- Democratic support for deportations, pandering to dismantle welfare, voting for foreign wars (Iraq, ahem), cultural cues like the Sister Souljah incident, and of course racially disparate "tough on crime" policies like zero-tolerance, crack-cocaine disparities and the drug war. Staying on this path would be a grave error. Indeed, I was in the audience at the Netroots Nation conference last year in Phoenix when speeches by Martin O'Malley & Bernie Sanders were disrupted by #BlackLivesMatter protesters. I sat astonished as neither candidate addressed the issues raised by the activists, though all the Democratic candidates today are singing a different tune.</li>
</ul>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">That's all I got. Fire away. </span></b></i><br />
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<br />
<u><b>QUINNIPIAC FEBRUARY 2016 POLL</b></u>: Below you can see a clip from the latest Quinnipiac poll (<a href="http://www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/us/us02182016_Urpfd42.pdf">full results link</a>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>Presidential matchups among American voters show</u>:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sanders over Trump 48 – 42 percent;</li>
<li>Sanders tops Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 49 – 39 percent;</li>
<li>Sanders leads Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida 47 – 41 percent;</li>
<li>Sanders beats Bush 49 – 39 percent;</li>
<li>Sanders edges Kasich 45 – 41 percent.</li>
<li>Clinton with 44 percent to Trump’s 43 percent;</li>
<li>Cruz with 46 percent to Clinton’s 43 percent;</li>
<li>Rubio topping Clinton 48 – 41 percent;</li>
<li>Bush at 44 percent to Clinton’s 43 percent;</li>
<li>Kasich beating Clinton 47 – 39 percent. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>If Bloomberg mounts a third party run, results are</u>:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sanders and Trump tied 38 – 38 percent, with 12 percent for Bloomberg;</li>
<li>Sanders tops Cruz 39 – 33 percent, with 14 percent for Bloomberg.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sanders’ leads among key independent voters range from 45 – 35 percent over Kasich to 52 – 33 percent over Cruz. By comparison, Clinton’s best score among independent voters is 42 percent to Trump’s 40 percent.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sanders’ leads among women range from 9 to 16 percentage points. Men are generally divided except in the Sanders-Bush matchup where the Democrat leads by 6 percentage points.<br />
<br />
Clinton’s leads among women range from a tie to a 9-percentage point edge over Trump. Men vote anyone but Clinton by margins of 8 to 16 percentage points.<br />
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American voters give Sanders a 51 – 36 percent favorability. Kasich gets a 35 – 18 percent favorability with Rubio at a split 39 – 37 percent score. All other scores are negative:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>37 – 58 percent for Clinton;</li>
<li>37 – 57 percent for Trump;</li>
<li>36 – 45 percent for Cruz;</li>
<li>21 – 26 percent for Bloomberg;</li>
<li>37 – 48 percent for Bush. </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
</div>
David Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429469804005993770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-53255174620134462842016-02-16T17:00:00.000-05:002016-02-21T23:12:04.268-05:00ANALYSIS: Sky High Approval Ratings for HoCo Exec Allan Kittleman // Big Smiles, Sharp Elbows, And Both Eyes on 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Matt Verghese </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the weekend, the Committee to Elect Allan Kittleman announces the Republican Howard County Executive had a </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ellicott-city/ph-ho-cf-kittleman-poll-0218-20160212-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">69% approval rating</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, with only 9% disapproving after a full year in office. Even though no other details about the poll - who was polled, what the margin of error is to start with- were released (I’m perturbed the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sun</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> would ever publish such a result), if true it would make Allan Kittleman </span><a href="http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/toplines_popularthings.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more popular than baseball</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>But this weekend’s disclosure of sky high poll ratings, which Kittleman’s former campaign manager concedes is not normally made public, leaves one with more questions than answers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE COATTAILS COUNTY EXECUTIVE</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Kittleman, a former County Councilmember and Senate GOP leader, defeated his Democratic opponent Courtney Watson by 2,600 votes (2.5%) in a closely contested evenly matched race that made him Howard County’s first Republican County Executive since 1998. The results closely mirrored the gubernatorial contest - where Larry Hogan turned the County red reversing O’Malley victories in both 2006 and 2010. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Kittleman benefited from Hogan’s coattails but had little of his own. Democrats retained a 4-1 majority on the County Council, and all other county-wide elected positions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BIG SMILES, SHARP ELBOWS IN FIRST YEAR</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kittleman - who has often been previously praised for his willingness to buck his own party - has attempted to govern with big smiles, while throwing sharp elbows at his opponents on a number of issues that may not receive a lot of attention from County voters. In his first year Kittleman has </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ellicott-city/ph-ho-cf-kittleman-first-year-0114-20160113-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">prioritized building community trust</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and held </span><a href="http://www.howardcountymd.gov/TownHallMeetings.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">four town hall meetings</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-fy15-budget-cuts-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">closed a budget deficit</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> through a hiring freeze. He also does weekly tours of schools, dressed up like ‘The Raven’ author Edgar Allen Poe, and didn’t shave in November to raise awareness for men’s health.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On more substantive note, one of his first actions was overturning Ulman’s executive order banning the sale of unhealthy snacks and drinks. When the Council passed legislation to reinstate the nutritional restriction, Kittleman vetoed it - only for the Council to overturn it.Kittleman also gave a number of his Democratic predecessor’s appointees their marching orders, refused to reappoint well performing persons to nonpartisan boards and commissions, and was so aghast that the County Council pushed back that his political operation circulated a </span><a href="http://kittleman.com/sign-the-petition-to-give-kittleman-appointee-susan-garber-an-up-or-down-vote/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">petition</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> targeting the Democratic members.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Late last year, Kittleman followed in Hogan’s footsteps and proposed phasing out the County’s stormwater management fee (the supposed “rain tax”), but promised to maintain the funding to maintain the County’s pollution reduction goals. Unlike Ulman who prided himself on a transparent stormwater program that was model on how to fund important projects to protect the Bay and constructively engage community stakeholders, Kittleman has yet to explain how he will replace the lost revenue or what he will cut in general fund to make up for it. No surprise, that at a </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ellicott-city/proposed-stormwater-fee-phase-out-causes-20160120-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">public hearing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> filled with supporters of the policy, Kittleman’s proposal was called “shortsighted, factually inaccurate and politically driven.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INSECURE LEADERSHIP?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Kittleman’s rush to poll his approval ratings may be due to recent controversies. First there was his much criticized response to the January blizzard, where he prioritized plowing out the Republican Lt. Governor before every other County resident. In a classic he said,she said -- </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-snow-politics-20160125-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kittleman claims the Lt. Governor called him</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to ask for the preferential special treatment, while the </span><a href="https://twitter.com/BoydKRutherford/status/692415452228775937" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lt. Governor claims that Kittleman offered first</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there’s the </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-ho-cf-foose-contract-renewal-0204-20160204-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">reappointment </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of Renee Foose as HCPS Superintendent despite criticism of her leadership and lack of transparency from parents, teachers and local elected officials. Even Governor Hogan weighed in, stating that “there’s a palpable loss of trust between many parents and the [Howard] county school system.” Granted Kittleman doesn’t run the Board of Education or choose the Superintendent, but this distinction is often lost among County residents who see education as their top issue.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHAT ELSE WAS IN THAT POLL?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No one polls with one question, and thanks to our sources in Howard County we have a sense of the other items the Kittleman campaign was asking about:</span></span><br />
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<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the County heading in the right or wrong direction? </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we the election was held today would you vote for Allan Kittleman or potential opponents - Councilmember Calvin Ball, Councilmember Mary Kay Sigaty or Register of Wills Byron Macfarlane. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favorable or unfavorable opinion of potential opponents - Ball, Sigaty, Macfarlane and 2014 opponent Courtney Watson </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">County and state’s handling of snow removal efforts: Good, fair or poor </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you think Allan Kittleman is a reasonable moderate or a dangerous extremist? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade Howard County Public Schools on an A-F scale </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Support or oppose the following issues: rain tax, increasing the property tax, and funding for police body cameras </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Name the top issue the County Executive and Council need to work on</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2018 gubernatorial matchups: Governor Larry Hogan or Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, or Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker </span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seems to me that despite being in office for 14 months, Kittleman already has an eye to 2018 and is sensitive to potential threats - both issues and candidates - to his reelection bid.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALWAYS DIALING FOR DOLLARS</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kittleman’s 2015 fundraising report only seems to confirm the hypothesis that he is obsessed with his next election. Kittleman had nearly $514,000 in the bank - more money than the incumbent County Executives in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Harford, Frederick Montgomery, Prince George’s and Wicomico.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While Kittleman’s campaign claims “the majority of donations came from individual donors in amounts of $200 or less” a deeper dive paints a much different picture. More than 75% of Kittleman’s total contributions came from people and entities that gave $1,000 or more. His average donation? $608. Not exactly being funded by grassroots donors<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even as Kittleman rakes in the cash from developers, contractors and out-of-county interests - Democrats on the Council are taking the first steps to implement </span><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/columbia/ph-ho-cf-campaign-finance-0204-20160202-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a citizen funded campaign system or County elections</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. If successful, Howard would join Montgomery County - who passed the first local public financing system law in 2014. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-90339032881253372182016-02-02T09:30:00.001-05:002021-01-05T03:41:15.096-05:00BREAKING: Delegate Dereck Davis To End Campaign For Congress // Race To Replace Rep. Donna Edwards Down to 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Matt Verghese </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Multiple sources confirm that <b>Delegate Dereck Davis</b> (D-25) will end his congressional bid this week. Davis' departure comes on the heels of former County Councilmember Ingrid Turner signaling that she too was exiting the race. <br /><br />Davis, the powerful and popular Chairman of the House of Delegate Economic Matters Committee, was a favorite among many in the Prince George's County establishment, had surrounded himself with seasoned political operatives, and was clearly in the top tier of candidates to replace Rep. Donna Edwards. Davis' departure from the race is a reminder of the challenges of running for higher office from the General Assembly, especially with the primary occurring only days after the end of the legislative session. <br /><br />With Turner and Davis out, the race for the Fourth Congressional District is essentially down to former Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, former States Attorney Glen Ivey, and Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk. While it is unknown whether Davis will make an endorsement in the race, Brown may have the most to gain. Brown and Davis both represented the 25th Legislative District in the House, and their regional paths to victory likely were similar. <br /><br /><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-54709324570951458922016-01-31T23:13:00.003-05:002021-01-05T03:42:13.958-05:00Fourth Quarter Fundraising Reports for Maryland's Open Seat Congressional Races: US Senate, CD4 and CD8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Matt Verghese </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Below Maryland Juice provides a rundown of fundraising numbers for Democratic candidates running the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives in Maryland. We are posting numbers from official FEC reports.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>INFORMATION LAST UPDATED</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
January 31 at 10:15 PM</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Summary Table of Current Cash on Hand</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>US Senate</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Chris Van Hollen - </li>
<li>Donna Edwards - </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<u>8th Congressional District</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Kathleen Matthews - $1,147,930</li>
<li>Jamie Raskin - $869,330</li>
<li>Kumar Barve - $288,538</li>
<li>Will Jawando - $215,449</li>
<li>Ana Sol Gutierrez - $169,483 (includes $94,500 loan)</li>
<li>Joel Rubin - $71,743</li>
<li>David Anderson - $47,027 (includes $50,000 loan)</li>
<li>David Trone - report not required</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>4th Congressional District</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Glenn Ivey - $526,667</li>
<li>Joseline Pena-Melnyk - $378,396</li>
<li>Dereck Davis - $304,934</li>
<li>Anthony Brown - $269,443</li>
<li>Ingrid Turner - $104,579 (includes $100,000 loan)</li>
<li>Warren Christopher - $80,810</li>
<li>Alvin Thornton - $7,426 (includes $8,000 loan) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>United States Senate</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>Donna Edwards</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date:<u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand:</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Chris Van Hollen</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand:<u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>8th Congressional District</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>David Anderson</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$23,250</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$59,432</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$47,027</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Kumar Barve</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$111,748</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$535,620</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$288,538</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Ana Sol Gutierrez</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$32,671</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$147,068</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$169,483</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Will Jawando</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$81,500</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$352,158</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$215,449</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Kathleen Matthews</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$503,827</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1,568,860</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$1,147,930</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Jamie Raskin</u><u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$374,864</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1,303,582</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$869,330</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Joel Rubin</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$159,258</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$159,258</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$71,743</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><u>4th Congressional District</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<u>Anthony Brown</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$102,481</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$457,024</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$269,443</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Warren Christopher</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$45,853</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$138,775</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$80,810</b></li>
</ul>
<u>Dereck Davis</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$150,776</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$441,112</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$304,934</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Glenn Ivey</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$196,570</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$714,894</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$526,667</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Joseline Pena-Melnyk</u> <u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$146,821</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$508,228</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$378,396</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Alvin Thornton</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$3,174</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$12,624</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$7,426</b></li>
</ul>
<u>Ingrid Turner</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$11,971</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$70,821</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$104,579</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Non-Open Seat U.S. House Incumbents</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>Elijah Cummings</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$191,978</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$561,642</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$1,095,970</b></li>
</ul>
<u>John Delaney</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$129,511</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$763,690</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$319,986</b></li>
</ul>
<u>Andy Harris (R)</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$129,998</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$623,680</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$647,050</b></li>
</ul>
<u>Steny Hoyer</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$299,246</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1,635,434</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$800,467</b></li>
</ul>
<u>Dutch Ruppersberger</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$114,750</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$504,113</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$1,048,439</b></li>
</ul>
<u>John Sarbanes</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$187,485</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$536,676</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$949,934</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><u>Select GOP Challengers</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<u>Amie Hoeber</u><b> [</b>CD6]<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$23,856</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$108,804</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$200,540 </b>(includes $200,000 loan)</li>
</ul>
<u>Mark Plaster</u><b> [</b>CD3]<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$47,287</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$154,120</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$56,906</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Mike Smigiel</u> [CD1]<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): $<b>3,355</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>#3,355</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$3,912</b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<u>David Vogt</u><b> [</b>CD6]<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q4 (October to December 2015): <b>$10,099</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$57,675</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$30,965</b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-44841200592489154372015-12-03T13:45:00.003-05:002015-12-03T15:46:44.246-05:00BREAKING: Maryland Senator Karen Montgomery To Step Down // Delegate Craig Zucker Favored for Appointment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Multiple sources confirm that Senator Karen Montgomery (D-14) will
resign prior to the start of the 2016 General Assembly session, thereby
triggering a vacancy appointment by the Montgomery County Democratic
Central Committee. <br />
<br />
Montgomery, 80, was first elected
to the House of Delegates in 2002 - one of the first persons to
represent District 14 within Montgomery County. In 2010 Delegate Montgomery
defeated incumbent Senator Rona Kramer in the Democratic primary by just
over 100 votes. She was strongly supported in that race by the teachers (MCEA), SEIU, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club and Progressive
Maryland.<br />
<br />
Should the District 14 Senate vacancy materialize, the Montgomery County Democratic Central
Committee (MCDCC) will have 30 days to make a recommendation to Governor Hogan
on who should complete the remainder of Senator Montgomery's term.<br />
<br />
Many
insiders believe Delegate Craig Zucker to be the favorite to fill the
vacancy. Zucker, 40, was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010 and
reelected in 2014. He sits on the House Appropriations Committee and was
recently named the Vice Chair of Capital Budget Subcommittee by Speaker
Mike Busch. Prior to his election, Zucker worked for a number of public
officials including Senator Bill Bradley, Senator Barbara Boxer and
Comptroller Peter Franchot.<br />
<br />
If Zucker is appointed to
the State Senate, his departure will trigger yet another MCDCC vacancy
appointment, and a scramble to fill his Delegate seat. Among the names
being mentioned for the potential Delegate vacancy include Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee member Chris
Bradbury, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee member and
Morgan State Professor Pamela Queen, and former Deputy Secretary of
State Dr. Rajan Natarajan. Other names are sure to emerge, including past candidates like Jodi Finkelstein and Tom Degonia.</div>
Maryland Juicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06922706961521823667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-55065281719328714022015-12-03T00:43:00.004-05:002021-01-05T03:43:45.589-05:00Van Hollen Gets Important Backing From SEIU // One Union Says Edwards "Has Turned Her Back Toward Labor"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Matt Verghese </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, at an announcement at in Baltimore, Representative Chris Van Hollen will accept the endorsement Maryland’s Service Employees International Union (SEIU) locals, including 1199, 32BJ, Local 500, Local 400, NAGE and Local 722. This is the biggest endorsement to date for Van Hollen and a body blow to Congresswoman Donna Edwards, who many originally expected to win the strong backing from organized labor. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-seiu-locals-back-van-hollen-despite-history-with-edwards-20151202-story.html">BALTIMORE SUN</a>: Van Hollen "has a record of standing with labor and workers," said Ricarra Jones, with 1199 SEIU. "We're going to go with a person who is going to best represent our interests in the Senate."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/union-that-helped-make-edwards-switches-alliance-to-van-hollen/2015/12/02/1ab2b23a-986c-11e5-b499-76cbec161973_story.html">WASHINGTON POST</a>: We feel like she has turned her back toward labor,” said Ricarra Jones, political organizer for Local 1199, the largest SEIU chapter in Maryland, which has about 9,000 members. “We think that Van Hollen will do a much better job.”</blockquote>
<b><u>PAINT THE STATE PURPLE</u></b>: The Maryland SEIU locals represent nearly 45,000 members, and their endorsement ensures the Van Hollen campaign will receive significant union support, including member-volunteers who will knock on doors and make phone calls in Baltimore City and other key Democratic jurisdictions. <br />
<br />
Relaxed campaign finance rules post <i>Citizens United</i> not only allows SEIU to spend more heavily on advertising but also to ramp up voter contact efforts to non-union workers. In 2012, SEIU was the top outside spending on Democratic campaigns - spending $70 million on donations, television ads and GOTV. <br />
<br />
SEIU has increasingly played a very active role in many important elections and legislative battles through both member outreach and paid media efforts. In 2014, SEIU backed and invested heavily in Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and more than 80 other candidates in the Democratic primary. The vast majority of these endorsed candidates prevailed.<br />
<br />
Nationally, the 2 million member SEIU - the fastest growing union in the United States - endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. Notably, SEIU has supported and increased awareness of the ‘Fight for $15’ campaign, and has successfully persuaded local leaders in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. <br />
<br />
<b><u>DISAPPOINTING FOR DONNA</u></b>: Labor in the past has strongly supported Edwards, which likely makes today’s endorsement that much more painful. SEIU and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) strongly supported her bid to unseat Rep. Al Wynn in 2008 - spending more than $1 million on her successful campaign. Unions also circled the wagons and effectively scared Glenn Ivey into dropping a primary challenge in 2012. <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Earlier this year observers thought Edwards had the inside track with labor, and would earn the financial and organizational resources to make up for Van Hollen’s fundraising edge. Instead, Van Hollen and Edwards have traded endorsements and the AFL-CIO declined to choose sides.<br />
<br />
It is unlikely that any union that currently supports Edwards can match the resources SEIU can bring to bear. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-49190326082081405132015-12-02T13:30:00.001-05:002021-01-05T03:43:58.020-05:00EMILY'S List Pumps $1 Million Into Edwards Campaign // SuperPAC Ads To Target Women, African American Voters <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Matt Verghese </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Christmas came early for Representative Donna Edwards.<br />
<br />
With dwindling resources and a new poll showing the Prince George’s Congresswoman behind by double digits, the Edwards campaign desperately needed a game changer. And they got one. <br />
<br />
EMILY’s List - the influential Democratic organization that supports pro-choice women - announced that they will spend more than $1.2 million on television, radio and online ads for Edwards predominantly in the Baltimore region. As reported by <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-emilys-list-will-spend-1m-for-edwards-campaign-20151130-story.html">John Fritze in The Baltimore Sun</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>BALTIMORE SUN</u>: The group will spend $875,000 on cable and broadcast ads alone, plus another $146,000 on radio and digital spots. The ads will run over six weeks and will target African American women. The ad campaign is paid for through WOMEN VOTE!, the group’s super PAC, which spent more than $12 million in the 2014 election cycle.</blockquote>
<b><u>A MUCH NEEDED BOOST</u></b>: EMILY's List ad buy - assuming the entire amount is spent - represents more than 3x the total amount of money the Edwards campaign has on hand, and allows her to finally respond to Representative Chris Van Hollen - who has been airing television ads unchallenged for the last month. Without this national bail out, it was likely Edwards’ path to victory could have become non-existent going into the homestretch.<br />
<br />
<b><u>DIGGING OUT OF A DEEP HOLE</u></b>: Full crosstabs from the <a href="http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2623221/baltimore-sun-univ-of-baltimore-topline-poll.pdf" target="_blank">Baltimore Sun/University of Baltimore poll</a>, shows the big hole that Edwards finds herself in, and why she needed EMILY's List to intervene now. She's losing women by 8 points (with 1 out 4 undecided), and doesn't even earn majority of African American support.<br />
<br />
<table style="text-align: center;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Men</th>
<th> Women</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Van Hollen</td>
<td>51%</td>
<td>42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edwards</td>
<td>25%</td>
<td>34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other/Undecided </td>
<td>23%</td>
<td>25%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>White</th>
<th> African American</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Van Hollen</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
57%</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
28%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Edwards</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
21%</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
49%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Other/Undecided </div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
23%</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
22%</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The impact of Edwards's lack of traction in Baltimore shows. She's only attracting a quarter of the vote in a region where more than 40% of Democratic electorate reside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Balt City </th>
<th>Balt Co </th>
<th>Balt Region </th>
<th>MoCo </th>
<th>PG </th>
<th>WestMD </th>
<th>SoMD </th>
<th>Shore</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Van Hollen</td>
<td>44%</td>
<td>46%</td>
<td>49%</td>
<td>75%</td>
<td>23%</td>
<td>29%</td>
<td>49%</td>
<td>25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edwards</td>
<td>29%</td>
<td>24%</td>
<td>25%</td>
<td>12%</td>
<td>63%</td>
<td>16%</td>
<td>22%</td>
<td>24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Other/Undecided </td>
<td>27%</td>
<td>29%</td>
<td>26%</td>
<td>13%</td>
<td>15%</td>
<td>55%</td>
<td>16%</td>
<td>42%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">A POWERFUL PATRON</u>: EMILY's List is a well resourced ally who has helped elect <a href="http://www.emilyslist.org/pages/entry/women-we-helped-elect" target="_blank">19 Senators</a>. In the first half of 2015, the organization raised <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/fundraising/248334-emilys-list-breaks-fundraising-record" target="_blank">$10.5 million from 60,000 donors</a> - the most it has raised in an off-year. Jumping into the Maryland Senate primary is a signal that they are not abandoning Edwards - a candidate they supported early and raised money for - in her time of need .</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What may give some of EMILY's List supporters pause, are questions regarding whether they are spending their resources wisely with 2016 shaping up to be a historic year for women candidates. Putting aside Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign (<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/08/17/super-pacs-emilys-list-priorities-usa-action-to-rally-women-to-clinton/" target="_blank">which the group has said they will raise and spend $20 million for</a>), there's New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, Rep. Tammy Duckworth in Illinois, former Nevada AG Catherine Cortez Masto, Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and former Pennsylvania Environmental Secretary Katie McGinty facing off in competitive Senate races critical to Democratic chances to retaking the upper chamber. Every dollar spent in Maryland, is one less attacking Donald Trump, Mark Kirk or Pat Toomey. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">HOW EFFECTIVE WILL IT BE?</u> The positive biographical <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz2ScAjOrOM" target="_blank">ad supporting Edwards</a> touts her humble roots and pushes the progressive fighter image (though the bright flashes throughout the ad have been called "<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/1/1455558/-Morning-Digest-EMILY-s-List-jumps-in-with-1-million-to-help-Donna-Edwards-in-Maryland-Senate-race" target="_blank">jarring</a>"). But there's a few things to note.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, it is cheaper for candidates to advertise on television than for super-PACs. The rate EMILY's List is paying could be 1.5 or 2 times (or even higher) what the Van Hollen campaign paid. This price differential will only become greater as we approach the primary. More money for fewer ads. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Second, advertising over the next 6 weeks puts the flight in the middle of the shopping season, the holidays and when most broadcast channels are playing reruns. This likely means fewer people are paying attention. Van Hollen's ads meanwhile played during November sweeps. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Third, there's no guarantee that super PAC ad spending will be effective. Just ask Jeb! Bush. His Right to Rise super PAC has <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/47-5-million-cant-buy-these-candidates-love-least-so-n472166" target="_blank">spent $28.9 million on TV ads, with no recognizable change to his numbers.</a> Add to that the inability to officially coordinate with the official campaign, sync messages or film the candidate - makes this a tricky and costly enterprise. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-77633581893360758932015-11-29T19:17:00.002-05:002021-01-05T03:44:49.449-05:00Rep. Chris Van Hollen Jumps Into Lead in Maryland's Open Seat US Senate Race After Early Ad Campaign Spending<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese<br /><br />
With 150 days left to go until Maryland’s April 26 primary, Representative Chris Van Hollen has leapfrogged over Congresswoman Donna Edwards to take a large lead in the Democratic primary according to a <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/2016-senate-race/bs-md-sun-poll-senate-20151122-story.html">new poll by the The Baltimore Sun and the University of Baltimore</a>. <br />
<br />
<table style="table-layout: fixed; width: 218px;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 128px;"></col>
<col style="width: 90px;"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Vote</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Van Hollen</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
45</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Edwards</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
31</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Other</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Undecided</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
21</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><u>A BIG JUMP</u></b>: A month after a random digit dial <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/cummings-leads-edwards-van-hollen-in-maryland-senate-race-poll-finds/2015/10/15/33e6bdf0-71bb-11e5-8248-98e0f5a2e830_story.html">The Washington Post-UMD poll</a> gave Edwards a large 10 point lead (38-28), Van Hollen is now up a whopping 14 points. 45% of likely primary voters choose him, while only 31% side with Edwards. An August<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/campaign-poll-edwards-leading-van-hollen-by-5-points-among-democrats/2015/08/18/90ba744e-4557-11e5-8ab4-c73967a143d3_story.html"> Global Strategy Group internal poll</a> for the Edwards campaign said Van Hollen was behind 37-42. <br />
<br />
While one should be cautious when comparing polls by different organizations, the newest numbers suggest not only a significant uptick in support for Van Hollen but a dramatic erosion of support for Edwards. While the Sun has not released full crosstabs of their poll, they note that Van Hollen is performing “remarkably well” with women and African American voters. Van Hollen is winning female voters by 7% and is attracts almost 30% of support from black voters. <br />
<br />
One of five voters remain undecided, and Edwards would need almost all of them to break for her. <br />
<br />
<b><u>REAPING THE REWARDS </u></b>: Unknown in the Baltimore region - even though Ambassador Chris Van Hollen Sr. was born there - Van Hollen’s campaign decided to invest resources in early ads on broadcast and cable television in the relatively inexpensive Baltimore media market . In three introductory spots, Baltimore voters heard Chris Van Hollen was “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90IobTA0dzs">a hero to environmentalists, education groups and gun control advocates</a>,” is “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb9U4E5uvY8">not afraid to take on the special interests</a>” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTSsvUvRTlM">led the fight to stop Republican cuts to Social Security and end their special deals for Wall Street.</a>” <br />
<br />
The exact size of the month long ad buy is unknown, they seem to have been incredibly effective. Van Hollen is leading by 16 points in Baltimore City - a jurisdiction that both Anthony Brown and Kweisi Mfume won convincingly in their primaries. In the wider Baltimore region, Van Hollen’s lead expands to 2:1. <br />
<br />
<b><u>STICK A FORK IN IT?</u></b> The Edwards camp who had been loudly touting her strong poll numbers until now, cannot be happy. She was <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2015/10/donna-edwards-is-running-out-of-cash.html">already running out of cash</a> and this new poll is a broadside on her continued viability as a statewide candidate. The demographics may be on her side, but attracting new supporters could be difficult if they don’t believe she can win. And another disappointing fundraising quarter could give any national organization serious reservations about bailing out a floundering campaign facing an uphill climb.<br />
<br />
Edwards likely knows the facts on the ground. She’s been <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/2016-senate-race/bs-md-senate-baltimore-20151111-story.html">spending a lot of time in Baltimore</a> and her campaign just opened up an office in the City last week. But unless she can compete on the airwaves, the campaign will not be able to reach enough voters to make a difference. The <a href="http://marylandscramble.com/2015/11/06/is-donna-edwards-mcconnelling/">three #McConnelling B-roll videos she has put up</a> simply won’t do the trick. <br />
<br />
<b><u>STILL WAITING ON CUMMINGS</u></b>: Everyone’s still formally waiting on Representative Elijah Cummings to make his intentions on the US Senate race publicly known, but signals still point to the Baltimore Congressman staying in the House. <br />
<br />
This poll finds Cummings leading the field by 12 points with 40%, Van Hollen second at 28% and Edwards bringing up the rear with 19%. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-25707256790566005402015-11-29T12:16:00.002-05:002021-01-05T03:45:41.704-05:00State Senator Jamie Raskin Leads In Internal Poll // First Look at Maryland 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
The first publicly released poll in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary finds State Senator Jamie Raskin with an early lead over his closest competitor - Kathleen Matthews. GBA Strategies - which polled in Maryland in 2014 - conducted the poll for the Raskin campaign.<br />
<br />
We tend to take internal polls with a grain of salt, but still this is our first look at where the race stands as we head into 2016. <br />
<br />
<b><u>TOP LINE</u></b>: Raskin leads the crowded field with 30% of the vote. The poll surveyed 500 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4% <br />
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 312px;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 128px;"></col>
<col style="width: 90px;"></col>
<col style="width: 94px;"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-baqh"></th>
<th class="tg-if35"><div style="text-align: center;">
Vote</div>
</th>
<th class="tg-if35">Name ID</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Raskin</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-amwm"><div style="text-align: center;">
30</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
49</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Matthews</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
21</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-amwm"><div style="text-align: center;">
53</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Gutierrez</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
11</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
42</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Barve</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
5</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
30</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Anderson</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Jawando</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
2</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
22</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Rubin</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
0</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
Other/Unsure</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-baqh"><div style="text-align: center;">
28</div>
</td>
<td class="tg-yw4l" style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">FRONTRUNNERS</u>: The poll seemingly confirms that Raskin and Matthews are the frontrunners in the race. Raskin’s lead isn’t particularly surprising given his longstanding work with and popularity among Montgomery County’s progressive base, many of whom have cast ballots for him before. On the other hand, while it is likely that primary voters may remember and like Matthews from her time as a news anchor, they may not be ready to vote for her until they know more about this first-time candidate's positions and other relevant experience. This will likely change during the course of the campaign.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The polling memo notes that Raskin posts large leads over Matthews in his home district D20 (+43) and in nearby D18 (+30), but his smaller district-wide lead suggests Matthews is stronger in Bethesda, Rockville and outside Montgomery County. The polls fails to mention if there is a gender gap (which could be critical for a Matthews victory).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As expected, Matthews' campaign manager's response was <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/raskin-commissioned-poll-finds-raskin-ahead-in-congressional-race/2015/11/23/6f1c4c0a-9191-11e5-b5e4-279b4501e8a6_story.html" target="_blank">on-message</a>: </div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>MATTHEWS CM ETHAN SUSSLES: </u>This poll shows that a majority of Democratic voters are looking for a fresh approach and Kathleen has a track record of getting things done, putting women and families first, and the international experience we need in these challenging times,</blockquote>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">BRINGING UP THE REAR</u>: The second tier of candidates is led by Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez who has been significantly outraised by Delegate Kumar Barve and Will Jawando - both of whom now trail her significantly in this poll. Gutierrez - who is the only Hispanic candidate in the race - benefits from greater name ID having been in public office for the last quarter century<br />
<br />
With five months to go and barely any paid advertising in the race, nearly 1 out of 3 voters remain undecided. The composition of the group is key but unspecified.<br />
<br />
You can read the full Raskin polling memo <a href="https://jamieraskin.com/news/polling-results-%E2%80%93-big">here</a>. </div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-1387451168652085132015-11-20T17:30:00.001-05:002021-01-05T03:46:00.002-05:00Gov. Larry Hogan Tows Trump & Carson's Party Line on Syrian Refugees // Will HoCo's Exec Allan Kittleman Break With GOP? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
<u>A SHAME IN MARYLAND</u>: In the week following the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, 30 Governors have said they won’t allow Syrian refugees to resettle in their states until security concerns are concerned. All but one of those governors have been a Republican. <br />
<br />
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan - who is huddling with his fellow Republican Governors at their conference in Las Vegas this week - had initially sought more time to make a “<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/video/maryland-gov-well-make-a-reasoned-careful-decision-on-syrian-refugees-567836227781">reasoned and careful decision</a>“ but a day later followed the direction of almost all the Republican candidates for President and called on federal authorities to “<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/mcauliffe-hogan-take-wait-and-see-approach-on-syrian-refugees/2015/11/17/b89ce9f4-8d39-11e5-baf4-bdf37355da0c_story.html">cease any additional settlements of refugees from Syria in Maryland.</a>” <br />
<br />
Granted, Hogan - nor any of his fellow governors - don’t really have anything with whether refugees are allowed into the US or where they are resettled. Though they can make the lives of women and children fleeing a violent civil war <a href="http://www.vox.com/explainers/2015/11/17/9749484/governors-refugees-syria/in/9025354">even more miserable</a>. Also it doesn’t seem to matter that of the 2 million refugees welcomed in the US since 1990, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/immigration/255237-anti-immigrant-activists-more-prone-to-terrorism-than-refugees">zero have been involved in a terrorist attack</a>. <br />
<br />
<u>THE ACTUAL SCREENING PROCESS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES</u>: The US - which has a stringent 18-24 months process to vet and approve refugees - admitted less than 200 Syrian refugees between 2011 and 2014, and only recently quickened the pace. According to the <a href="http://www.wrapsnet.org/Reports/InteractiveReporting/tabid/393/EnumType/Report/Default.aspx?ItemPath=/rpt_WebArrivalsReports/Map%20-%20Arrivals%20by%20State%20and%20Nationality">US State Department</a>, 39 such refugees have resettled in Maryland since 2011 - 79% of them arriving in 2015. The United States had planned to accept 10,000 refugees in 2016. In contrast, French President Francois Hollande said his country would accept 30,000, and expend 50 million euros to support refugee housing. <br />
<br />
<u>MARYLAND DEMOCRATS RESPOND</u>: Hogan’s decision has drawn widespread criticism from Democrats. Rep. Cummings called Hogan’s actions “heartless” and “a betrayal of America’s values” while Rep. Van Hollen decried the Governor’s “shameful” demagoguery. Former Governor O’Malley - who was the first Democratic candidate for President to call on the Obama Administration to accept more refugees fleeing Syria’s civil war -- called on Americans to “overcome fear and remain true to [our] values.” <br />
<br />
Local Democratic leaders have also sought to separate themselves from the Governor. Baltimore Mayor Rawlings-Blake released the following <a href="http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/maryland/2015/11/17/baltimore-mayor-says-city-welcome-syrian-refugees/75949678/">statement</a> (<i>emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>BALTIMORE MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE</u>: Baltimore, Maryland and the United States have proud traditions of welcoming refugees seeking assistance from crises around the world. There are few among us who can claim that their ancestors were indigenous to the United States. <b>Welcoming immigrants and New Americans is a critical part of my strategy to grow Baltimore, and I hope that refugees from Syria will look to our city as a potential place to call home</b>.</blockquote>
This call was echoed today by the Democratic members of the Howard County Council. On Thursday, In a <a href="http://cc.howardcountymd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=s-ZT8s1n72M%3d&portalid=0">letter to Governor Hogan</a>, the four Democratic members of the Council - Mary Kay Sigaty, Calvin Ball, Jenn Terrasa and Jon Weinstein - stated (<i>emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u>HOCO DEMOCRATIC COUNCILMEMBERS</u>: In Howard County, we know that our diversity is our strength. Your request to end the settlement of Syrian refugees under the guise of protecting Marylanders erodes that strength by succumbing to fear—a <b>fear that leads to overt racial profiling, which is an affront to our values</b>. Opening our doors to those who are fleeing violence does not endanger our safety; it shows our compassion and hope.</blockquote>
1 in 5 of Howard County’s residents are foreign born and come from over 90 countries. None of Maryland’s current Syrian refugees are located in the County.<br />
<br />
<u>WAITING FOR KITTLEMAN</u>: A spokeswoman for Governor Hogan reiterated his stance on Friday. There has been no response from Republican County Executive Allan Kittleman. Blinding following national Trump-Carson Republican herd not only threatens Hogan and Kittleman image as as kinder, gentler Republicans - but their compelling sales pitch as non-ideological, post-partisan executives. Sure, there may be no direct political risk (and as the Huffington Post wrote - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hating-refugees-america_564c8fdbe4b06037734bc8a0">hating refugees is pretty much as American as apple pie</a>) - but calls into question their reputation. Hogan and Kittleman still need Democrats to govern - and and mean-spirited decisions could poison the well and erode trust. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-70524336572500360952015-11-03T14:00:00.001-05:002021-01-05T03:46:29.327-05:00Elections Today for Maryland Cities: Rockville, Salisbury, Gaithersburg, College Park, Greenbelt, Takoma Park & More!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Election Day 2015 is upon us. Nationally, Democrats and progressives have a number of competitive races to watch: Attorney General Jack Conway battling to keep the Kentucky Governor's mansion in Democratic hands; Republicans trying to fortify their one-seat State Senate majority in battleground Virginia; 3 open Pennsylvania State Supreme Court seats that could determine which party controls redistricting in 2022; Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood trying to keep his title as the last Democratic statewide official in the Deep South; and, a number of ballot measures including initiatives to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in Ohio and a referendum on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.<br />
<br />
In Maryland, some of the largest municipalities head to the polls. The vast majority of municipal elections are non-partisan. Baltimore City (elections in '16), Frederick ('17), Annapolis ('17), and Hagerstown ('16) are among the few exceptions. Many of the contests this year feature open races, multi-candidate fields challenging incumbents, and the usual <a href="http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/news/ph-ac-bb-election-1029-20151028-story.html" target="_blank">accusations of stolen yard signs</a>. With many town and city officials going on to run for higher office, Maryland Juice runs through some races to watch.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">ROCKVILLE</u>: Incumbent Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton faces a stiff challenge from political organizer and consultant Sima Osdoby, with development and growth being among the top issues in the race. Osdoby is part of Team Rockville slate - which includes incumbent city Councilmembers Julie Palkovich Carr and Virginia Onley, former Councilmember Mark Pierzchala and first-time candidate Clark Reed. Also running are Councilmember Beryl Feinberg, Twinbrook Civic Association President Rich Gottfried, former candidate Brigitta Mullican, Planning Commission member David Hill, and businessowner Patrick Schoof. The Mayor and Council are being elected to a 4-year term for the first time.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Mayor</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Bridget Donnell Newton (i)</li>
<li>Sima Osdoby</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><i><b>At-large Council (4 seats)</b></i></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Beryl Feinberg (i)</li>
<li>Richard Gottfried</li>
<li>David Hill</li>
<li>Brigitta Mullican </li>
<li>Virginia Onley(i)</li>
<li>Julia Palakovich Carr (i)</li>
<li>Mark Perirzchala</li>
<li>Clark Reed </li>
<li>Patrick Schoof</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">GAITHERSBURG</u>: Current Mayor Jud Ashman - who was appointed to the post after Mayor Sidney Katz was elected to the Montgomery County Council, longtime Councilmember Henry Marraffa and Darline Bell-Zuccarelli are running to fill the balance of Katz's term. Ashman has been endorsed by Mr. Katz. Running for the 3 at-large Council seats are City Council Vice President Ryan Spiegel, appointed Councilmember Neil Harris, African American Democratic Club President Laurie Anne-Sayles, and attorney Robert Wu.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Mayor</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jud Ashman (i)</li>
<li>Darline Bell-Zuccarelli </li>
<li>Henry Marraffa </li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>At-large Council (3 seats)</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Neil Harris (i)</li>
<li>Laurie-Anne Sayles</li>
<li>Ryan Spiegel (i)</li>
<li>Robert Wu</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">BOWIE</u>: 21 year city council veteran Dennis Brady is challenging Mayor G. Frederick Robinson, who has the position since 1998. A number of newcomers are challenging incumbents as Bowie residents elect councilmembers who will now serve a 4 year term. These include veteran Kelly Rowe challenging Councilmember Diane Polangin in District 2, and former President of the Bowie Chamber of Commerce Craig Muckle trying to oust Councilmember Isaac Trouth. Two open city council races have attracted Comptroller Senior Advisor Monica Best-James, former Senator Peters aide Michael Esteve, and County Executive Baker intergovernmental affairs attorney Courtney Glass among others. Dufour Woolfley, Jimmy Marcos and Henri Gardner - all sitting Councilmembers - are vying for 2 at-large spots.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Mayor</u> </i></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Dennis Brady</li>
<li>G. Frederick Robinson (i)</li>
<li>Keith Alphonso Jackson</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>At-large Council (2 seats)</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Henri Gardner</li>
<li>James L. Marcos</li>
<li>Dufour Woolfley (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 1</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jenmaire Dewberry</li>
<li>Michael P. Esteve</li>
<li>Pauletta G. Handy</li>
<li>Monica Best-James</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 2</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Diane M. Polangin (i)</li>
<li>Kelly P. Rowe</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 3</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Babatunde O. Alegbeleye</li>
<li>James Scott Hessberger, Jr.</li>
<li>Courtney D. Glass</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 4</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Isaac C. Trouth (i)</li>
<li>Craig M. Muckle</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">COLLEGE PARK</u>: District 4 Councilwoman Denise Mitchell and District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn are vying to succeed Mayor Andy Fellows, who is stepping down after three terms. Mitchell would be the first African American woman to hold the post, and Wojahn would be the City's first openly gay mayor. Incumbent Councilmembers Faziul Kabir, P.J. Brennan, Monroe Dennis, Robert Day, Stephanie Stullich and Alan Hew all face competitive races. Interesting to note that 6 out of 18 candidates running in College Park are either UMD alumni, professors or students.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Mayor</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Denise Mitchell</li>
<li>Patrick Wojahn</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 1 (2 seats)</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Faziul Kabir (i)</li>
<li>Christine Nagle</li>
<li>Cory Sanders</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><i style="font-weight: bold;">Council District 2 (2 seats</i>)</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Daniel Blasberg</li>
<li>P.J. Brennan (i)</li>
<li>Vivian Conway</li>
<li>Monroe Dennis (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><i style="font-weight: bold;">Council District 3 (2 seats</i>)</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ryan Belcher</li>
<li>Robert Day (i)</li>
<li>Robert McCeney</li>
<li>John Rigg</li>
<li>Stephanie Stullich (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><i style="font-weight: bold;">Council District 4 (2 seats</i>)</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mary Cook</li>
<li>Oscar Gregory</li>
<li>Alan Hew (i)</li>
<li>Dustyn Kujawa</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">SALISBURY</u>: The Eastern Shore's largest city has revamped its electoral system for 2015 -- moving elections from the spring tot he fall, synchronizing terms of all elected officials, creating five single-member districts and eliminating their primary election. Current Mayor Jim Ireton decided against running for reelection, and instead filed to run for Council. City Council President Jake Day is running opposed for Mayor. All four City Council members are running for reelection - with Jack Heath and Tim Spies contesting from the same district. In the open District 2, former candidate and Libertarian Muir Boda seems to have the inside track.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Mayor</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jake Day</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 1</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sarah Halcott</li>
<li>April Jackson</li>
<li>Shanie Shields (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 2</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Keyvan Aarabi</li>
<li>Marvin Ames</li>
<li>Muir Boda</li>
<li>Justin Gregoli</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 3</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jack Heath (i)</li>
<li>Kevin Lindsay</li>
<li>Tim Spies (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 4</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jim Ireton</li>
<li>Roger Mazullo</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council District 5</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Laura Mitchell (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">LAUREL</u>: Mayor Craig Moe running unopposed for a fourth term, and all five City Council incumbents are favored to win reelection. Laurel has been in the news recently over the possible closure of Laurel Regional Hospital and the local MARC train station.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Mayor</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Craig Moe (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>At-large Council</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Michael Leszcz (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 1 (2 seats)</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Carl Dewalt</li>
<li>Jeffrey Mills</li>
<li>Valerie Nicholas (i)</li>
<li>H. Edward Ricks (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><i>Council Ward 2 (2 seats)</i></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Donna Crary (i)</li>
<li>Fred Smalls (i)</li>
<li>Mansoor Zia</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">GREENBELT</u>: Residents elect a 7 member at-large Council with the highest vote getter traditionally being selected as mayor. Emmett Jordan - who became the City's first African American Mayor in 2013 - is running for reelection, along with former longtime Mayor Judith 'J' Davis and the 5 other incumbent members of the City Council.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>At-large Council (7 seats)</i></b></u></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Silke I. Pope (i)</li>
<li>Susan H. Stewart </li>
<li>Emmett V. Jordan (i)</li>
<li>Leta M. Mach (i)</li>
<li>Konrad E. Herling (i)</li>
<li>Rodney M. Roberts (i)</li>
<li>Edward V. J. Putens (i)</li>
<li>Judith F. Davis (i)</li>
<li>Kathleen Marie Shaw </li>
<li>Bill Orleans </li>
<li>George R. Boyce</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">TAKOMA PARK</u>: Councilmember Kate Stewart and local landlord Warren Holmes are facing off to become Takoma Park's next Mayor. Outgoing Mayor Bruce Williams - who is completing his 22nd year on the City Council - was the region's first openly gay elected official. Stewart - who has been endorsed by Williams, State Senator Jamie Raskin and County Councilmember Tom Hucker - is the frontrunner. The only other contested race is in Ward 1 where former HUD Assistant Secretary Peter Kovar and two others are running to replace Seth Grimes.<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Mayor</u> </i></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Warren Holmes</li>
<li>Kate Stewart</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 1</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Peter Kovar</li>
<li>Victor Thuronyi</li>
<li>Elizabeth Forbes Wallace</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 2</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Tim Male (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 3</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Rizzy Qureshi</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><i><u>Council Ward 4</u> </i></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Terry Seamens (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 5</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jarrett Smith (i)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b><i>Council Ward 6</i></b></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fred Schultz (i)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">ABERDEEN</u>: Incumbent Mayor Michael Bennett who prevailed in 2011 by only 26 votes, is fending of challenges from the City's first elected Mayor Ruth Elliott, Republican activist and perennial candidate <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2011/11/aberdeen-mayor-survives-tea-party.html" target="_blank">Patrick McGrady</a>, and former teacher and Delegate candidate Marla Posey-Moss. The City Council race includes incumbents Sandra Landbeck and Stephen Smith, and a 3 person slate aligned with McGrady. Mayor Bennett has endorsed both current Councilmembers as well as Appeals Board member Melvin Tyalor and teacher Tim Lindecamp.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i><u>Mayor</u> </i></b></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Michael Bennett (i)</li>
<li>Ruth Elliott</li>
<li>Patrick McGrady </li>
<li>Marla Posey-Moss</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u><b><i>Council (4 seats)</i></b></u></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Carol Bruce</li>
<li>Sean DeBonis</li>
<li>Daniel Forte</li>
<li>Jason Kolligs</li>
<li>Barbara Kreamer</li>
<li>Sandra Landbeck (i)</li>
<li>Tim Lindecamp</li>
<li>Stephen Smith (i)</li>
<li>Melvin Taylor</li>
</ul>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-1305357869907122562015-10-30T12:08:00.004-04:002021-01-05T03:47:17.383-05:00Donna Edwards is Running Out of Cash for US Senate Race // Will Campaign Depend on Outside Spending to Keep It Viable?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
The headline of Josh Hicks’ article in the <i>Washington Post </i>on October 25 -
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/donna-edwards-ahead-in-polls-but-far-behind-van-hollen-in-fundraising/2015/10/25/3167eb12-7814-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html">
Donna Edwards ahead in polls but far behind Van Hollen in fundraising
</a>
- accurately summed up the emerging consensus among observers of Maryland’s US Senate race. Congresswoman Edwards' support with the state's sizable African
American community gives her an early lead in the race, but it remains to be seen whether she has the resources to wage a winning campaign with less than 6 months to go until the April 26
Democratic primary.<br />
<br />
A deep dive into the Donna Edwards for Senate FEC reports suggests, and some Edwards supporters admit, that Rep. Edwards could soon be out of money - and
time.
<br />
<br />
While the $638,000 Rep. Edwards raised in Q3 may seem respectable (though once again far short of Van Hollen, and other Senate contenders across the country), her campaign managed to spend more than she
raised and ended with a paltry $369,000 in the bank (with almost $20,000 in debt). Her third quarter “burn rate” was 107.9%
<br />
<br />
This gives Edwards less than a <b>tenth</b> of the resources Van Hollen currently has at his disposal, and puts her behind and a handful of CD4
and CD8 candidates. Without airing a single TV spot or sending a piece of persuasive mail - where did all the money go?
<br />
<br />
<b><u>STAFFING: $311,460 (45% of Q3 Spending)</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: left; width: 355px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Staff Salary/Stipends</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$186,259
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Payroll Taxes/Fees</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$105,188
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Health Insurance</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$10,530
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Reimbursements</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$9,483
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
The bulk of Edwards spending came from staffing up her campaign. In the first half of September, Edwards had 24 people receiving either a salary or stipend
- more than the Van Hollen payroll during the same period. Edwards report also <b>does not include paychecks for the second half of September</b>. This is another <b>$60,000 </b>expenditure against the campaign’s cash on hand.
<br />
<br />
While it is impossible to run a statewide campaign without people on the ground - payroll becomes a monthly cost that could become increasingly
burdensome over time as more organizers are brought on board closer to Election Day. If cash becomes tight, we may see the Edwards camp decide to take a
page out of the Jeb! Bush playbook and reduce salaries and downsize, or try and outsource field operations to an externally run paid canvass.<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>FUNDRAISING: $160,819 (25% of Q3 Spending)</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: left; width: 355px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Direct Mail</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$82,499
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Fundraising Consultants</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$64,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Credit Card Fees</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$12,772
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Postage</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$8,726
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Fundraising Expenses*</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$1,548
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
* Doesn’t include other line-itemed costs for catering, facility rental, travel and lodging
<br />
<br />
It costs money to raise money, and it is costing Rep. Edwards at least $0.27 per dollar raised. That is not insignificant for a candidate who has historically struggled with fundraising. These expenses will likely increase as
her campaign tries to raise even more money, especially from more out-of-state donors.<br />
<br />
In addition to Jeremiah Pope, Amie Kershner and Ann Lewis - Edwards added Greg Kalik as one of her fundraising consultants in Q3.
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>CONSULTANTS AND SERVICES: $105,583 (15% of Q3 Spending)</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: left; width: 355px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Polling</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$53,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Research</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$20,554
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Compliance</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$16,047
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Campaign Consulting</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$6,250
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Mail Consultant</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$5,314
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Legal</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$4,418
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
At the time of the filing deadline, the Edwards campaign had yet to pay some of these expenses. At least <b>$15,749 of unpaid bills </b>is
noted on her FEC reports including $8,066 to Evans & Katz for Compliance, $5,820 to her mail vendor Mission Control Inc, and $1,863 to the firm
Perkins Coie.
<br />
<br />
While it is certainly possible - though unlikely - that the Edwards camp won’t spend any additional money on polling or opposition research, compliance and legal
both are ongoing costs. A substantive persuasive direct mail program to a statewide universe, will likely cost six figures.<br />
<br />
<b><u>DIGITAL: $35,612 (5% of Q3 Spending)</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: left; width: 355px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Website Services</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$16,289
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Online Advertising</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$15,257
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Software</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$4,066
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
There was a sharp drop (<b>64% reduction</b>) in digital spending by the Edwards camp in Q3, as they pared back their online program. Rising Tide
Interactive - the campaign's digital consultant - performs a number of services including list acquisition, email programs, fundraising and persuasion, so
it is difficult to determine exactly what was specifically cut and whether this level of spending is sustainable for the duration of the campaign.
<br />
<br />
The campaign ended with <b>$3,950</b> in unpaid bills ($1,250 to Blue State Digital and $2,700 to NGP VAN for website related services).
<br />
<br />
<b><u>OVERHEAD: $57,729 (8% of Q3 Spending)</u></b>
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: left; width: 355px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Office Rent</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$17,638
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Catering/Facility Rental</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$13,425
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Travel</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$10,354
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Printing</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$5,495
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Office Supplies</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$5,444
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Phones/Internet</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$2,783
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><b>Lodging</b>
</td>
<td valign="top">$2,590
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
Nearly 45% of these costs seem associated with fundraising events. Including these would raise the campaign’s cost to $0.31 per dollar raised.
<br />
<br />
Other overhead expenditures are related to Edwards’ headquarters in Prince George’s. These costs will undoubtedly increase as field offices are opened in
different regions of the state. At least one more is open now.
<br />
<br />
<b><u>DONNA EDWARDS NEEDS FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES</u></b>
: It is hard to make a case that the Edwards campaign is financially viable and equipped to compete as we approach the new year. Not only is Edwards starting
the home stretch with effectively less money than her FEC report suggests, but her ongoing monthly expenses is a growing drain on her limited resources.
<br />
<br />
And the Edwards campaign <b>hasn't spent a dime on paid media</b>. Spending in the expensive and inefficient DC media market looks completely out of the question,
while even a small ad buy in Baltimore seems cost prohibitive. Try to budget in a statewide mail program, more online advertising and a radio buy - and one must wonder how the cash strapped Edwards campaign will get any real exposure to voters especially those outside Prince George's County. Van Hollen, on the other hand, is already
<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-van-hollen-airs-first-tv-ad-of-senate-20151009-story.html">
on the air in the Baltimore-media market
</a>
and will likely run several thousand points worth of advertising before 2016.<br />
<br />
What Rep. Edwards desperately needs is a campaign bailout - some outside group to prop up her candidacy. This realization may have dawned early on Edwards when she rejected a proposal to <a href="http://atr.rollcall.com/edwards-shakes-off-van-hollens-outside-money-pledge/">keep outside money outof the race</a>. Aside from Emily's List the the Edwards campaign likely is relying on Labor for significant outside spending - making the recent decision of the
the
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/afl-cio-staying-out-of-maryland-senate-race/2015/10/27/f631400a-7ce8-11e5-afce-2afd1d3eb896_story.html">
AFL-CIO to sit on sidelines
</a> a significant blow.
<br />
<br />
But how big does Edwards' bailout have to be to keep her viable? And who is willing to part with millions of dollars to defeat progressive Van Hollen, when Democrats may have the opportunity to put the first woman in the Oval Office, and see a
competitive path to a Senate majority through strong female candidates in GOP-held Illinois (Tammy Duckworth), New Hampshire (Maggie Hassan) and Pennsylvania
(Kathleen McGinty)? Plus, how will anti-superPAC pro-campaign finance reofrm progressive Maryland voters feel about this?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-70211889995516742352015-10-30T12:08:00.003-04:002021-01-05T03:46:56.088-05:00A Round-Up of New Endorsements in Maryland's Open-Seat US Senate & House Races: Less Than Six Months Until Primary Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
As we pass the sixth month mark until Maryland's April 26 primary, more endorsements were announced this week in the state's open seat US Senate race and in the open 4th and 8th District Congressional races. We previously published <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2015/10/all-in-one-place-list-of-endorsements.html">a round-up of all the endorsements in those races</a>, but more have begun pouring in as the races take shape. Maryland Juice's Matt Verghese has a full round-up of updates below:<br />
<br />
<u><b>FIREFIGHTERS ENDORSE VAN HOLLEN FOR SENATE</b></u>: The Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland - the state association for the <b>International Association of Fire Fighters</b> (IAFF) locals, which represents 10,000 current and retired professional fire fighters, unanimously endorsed <b>Chris Van Hollen </b>for United States Senate. Local affiliates in Baltimore, Prince George's and Montgomery Counties have also endorsed Van Hollen.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>PFFM President Mike Rund</u>:</b> Congressman Van Hollen has shown that public safety is and will continue to be a top priority for him. The money that has been secured through federal grants wouldn’t have been possible without Chris’s help. It is for these reasons and many more that that we endorse Chris Van Hollen for United States Senate.</blockquote>
This continues the split in local labor endorsements between Van Hollen and Congresswoman Edwards.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>OFFICE EMPLOYEE UNION ENDORSES RASKIN FOR CONGRESS</u>: Office and Professional Employees International Local 2 </b>(OPEIU Local 2), a member of the AFL-CIO, became the second labor union to endorse Senator <b>Jamie Raskin</b> in the 8th Congressional District race. OPEIU Local 2 represents 7,000 workers in the region.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>OPEIU Local 2 President Dan Dyer:</u> </b>OPEIU Local 2 is excited to endorse Jamie Raskin, an unwavering supporter of Maryland's working families and the proven progressive leader we need in the 8th District. Senator Raskin’s exemplary record of success in Annapolis shows that he is willing to stare down the powerful interests and stand up for the rights and values of working men and women. Our union is proud to stand with Jamie so he can go to Washington and take on the big-money special interests that are trying to destroy the right to organize and to engage in collective bargaining. We know we have a true partner in Jamie Raskin and we are excited to do everything we can to support his campaign for Congress.</blockquote>
<br />
<b><u>CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM SUPER-PAC ENDORSES RASKIN</u>: </b>Raskin was also endorsed<b> </b>by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/raskin-wins-support-of-campaign-reform-super-pac-in-maryland-race/2015/10/26/09800c4e-7be6-11e5-beba-927fd8634498_story.html" target="_blank">Mayday</a>, a pro-campaign finance reform super PAC formed by Democratic Presidential hopeful and Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig, and House Judiciary Committee Vice Chair Delegate Kathleen Dumais (D-15).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>EMILY'S LIST COMES OUT FOR MATTHEWS</u>: Kathleen Matthews</b> earned the coveted support of <b>EMILY's List</b>. The well respected and well funded organization that backs pro-choice female candidates, could be one of the most important endorsements in the CD8. The organization's support often brings fundraising assistance, visibility and potentially staff and advertising support.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock:</u></b> Kathleen Matthews is a lifelong advocate for women and families and a dynamic leader who will fight for progressive change in Congress. As a news anchor at WJLA-TV, she put a spotlight on issues affecting women and families – jobs, education, health care, and equality in the workplace – and as an executive, she spearheaded efforts to advance women's careers and women-owned businesses around the world. Maryland’s Eighth District has never elected a Democratic woman to Congress, and the EMILY’s List community is thrilled to endorse Kathleen Matthews: a pro-choice leader fighting for Planned Parenthood and deeply committed to helping Maryland working families get a fair shot.</blockquote>
EMILY's List previously endorsed Donna Edwards in the US Senate Race.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES PENA-MELYNK & RASKIN FOR CONGRESS</b></u>: The <b>Sierra Club</b> announced its endorsement of Delegate <b>Joseline Pena-Melnyk</b> in Congressional District 4. The Maryland chapter previously announced its support of Jamie Raskin. No endorsement quote was provided, but the chapter's endorsement release is excerpted below:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>Sierra Club:</u></b> Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk has been a staunch supporter of environmental legislation and has worked well with the environmental community in the State Legislature where she represents State District 21. She has a lifetime score of 94% as reported by MD-LCV and she has proved herself to be a fierce fighter for our issues. We know she will be a great representative for District 4.</blockquote>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-9342614550728700392015-10-26T17:42:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:47:55.498-05:00Baltimore City Councilmember Brandon Scott Hints at Citywide Run // Mayor's Race Getting Crowded: Will He Or Won't He?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Even as Nick Mosby launched his campaign for Mayor on Sunday, Baltimore City Councilmember Brandon Scott <a href="http://www.brandonmscott.net/2015/10/dear-baltimore/" target="_blank">wrote an open letter</a> hinting at his own aspirations for the top job (<i>emphasis mine)</i>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear Baltimore, </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Helping to make our city a better place is all that I have ever wanted to do with my life. In fact, I believe that serving Baltimore is the reason that I exist. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Your outpouring of support and my expectations of what I believe this city can be, demand that I <b>take my service to the next level</b>. I have heard you and I sincerely appreciate you. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Baltimore is at its most critical point and needs true leadership that can bring the entire city together, unifying our strength and our voice. The support you have given me, and the belief that I can do, and should do, more shows that without a doubt, you believe that <b>I can lead Baltimore to being the best Baltimore we can be</b>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
With your continued support and active participation, I am confident in that belief. Together, we can bring this remarkable city back to its best. In the coming weeks I look forward to hearing from you all as I share my plan for leadership that will invest in, inspire and innovate Baltimore. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sincerely,<br />
Councilman Brandon M. Scott</blockquote>
Scott, who turned 30 last year, was the city's second youngest-ever elected Councilman (the record belongs to current Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake) in 2011. Prior to his time on the Council, Scott was community liaison to Northeast Baltimore for the City Council President and then the Mayor.<br />
<br />
Despite being a time when a lot of voters want a change - <i>which could favor fresh faces over old hands </i>- an increasingly crowded field could lead to an unexpected dynamic come Election Day.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-59441200370924981742015-10-21T16:36:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:48:41.823-05:00Senator Jamie Raskin Wins Backing of Machinists Union // First Labor Endorsement in Maryland 8th Congressional District Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Sen. Jamie Raskin picked up the endorsement of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the first union to formally weigh in on the Democratic primary to replace Rep. Chris Van Hollen. IAM represents nearly 5,000 workers in Maryland, and over 600,000 active and retired members across North America.<br />
<br />
In a statement released by the Raskin campaign, IAM President Tom Buffenbarger said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This seat is an essential one for labor and Raskin has shown extraordinary leadership in the Maryland General Assembly and that he will take on the tough fights and build the coalitions needed to win big victories for working families. As a distinguished constitutional law professor and civil rights lawyer, Jamie has always fought hard for the rights of unions and working people. As a State Senator, he has been a staunch defender of the right to organize and collectively bargain and he’s been a passionate opponent of union-busting.”<br />
<br />
The labor movement needs effective progressive leaders we can count on to do the right thing at a time of big-money corporate politics and right-wing assaults on the living standards of working people. We are proud to stand with Jamie and will do whatever we can with our brothers and sisters in the Labor movement to see that he wins this crucial Democratic primary election on April 26, 2016</blockquote>
IAM earlier this year endorsed Donna Edwards for the U.S. Senate, and Hillary Clinton for President.<br />
<br />
IAM is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, who has not endorsed.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-31859156498710913462015-10-20T17:00:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:49:13.068-05:00Nick Mosby Announcement This Sunday // Fresh Face Jumping Into Crowded Field for Baltimore Mayor: Who Else Is Running?<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Ending months of speculation, Baltimore City Councilmember Nick Mosby appears ready to jump into the race to become the next Mayor. As reported by <i><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-nick-mosby-to-hold-announcement-event-sunday-20151020-story.html" target="_blank">The Baltimore Sun</a></i>, Mosby emailed supporters this morning inviting them to an important announcement taking place Sunday afternoon where they will hear from "the best choice for a better Baltimore." Below is a hard copy invite that has been circulating for a number of weeks:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK0VDIazYTZisGgIIUEOm_JHORwyUXVpjZd-jYoMSwQ5pTAmeeR1Wz6kWz-JM9EL5UptEJMcVBGDoGspHTYS7gAkPdlj0nHJTlIKTTwdGZ6kCJ2shCYuzHH6KGrtvBvVa1C4IFFV09rM/s1600/Mosby_Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzK0VDIazYTZisGgIIUEOm_JHORwyUXVpjZd-jYoMSwQ5pTAmeeR1Wz6kWz-JM9EL5UptEJMcVBGDoGspHTYS7gAkPdlj0nHJTlIKTTwdGZ6kCJ2shCYuzHH6KGrtvBvVa1C4IFFV09rM/s640/Mosby_Announcement.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mosby has been an active and vocal member of the City Council in his first term, helping pass 'Ban the Box' legislation, being only 1 of 2 Councilmembers to vote against confirming Kevin Davis as police chief, and constantly pressing the flesh in neighborhoods across the City. He and his wife, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, gained national attention following the protests and unrest set off by the death of Freddie Gray. <br />
<br />
Mosby is a client of well-respected fundraiser Colleen Martin-Lauer. Martin-Lauer has also worked for Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Governor O'Malley (among many, many others). </div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
With 175 days until early voting starts in Maryland's April Democratic primary, Mosby jumps into a crowded field filled with a number of well-known candidates many of who have previously run for the City's top job. A list of announced and potential candidates is listed below. The winner of the Democratic primary is the heavy favorite to win in November. <br />
<div>
<br />
<b><u>Announced</u></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Richard Black, accountant</li>
<li>Mack Clifton, minister and author</li>
<li>Sheila Dixon, former Mayor</li>
<li>Mike Maraziti, President of Fells Point Main Street Business Association</li>
<li>Catherine Pugh, Senate Majority Leader </li>
<li>Carl Stokes, Baltimore City Councilman </li>
<li>Calvin Young, former Baltimore City Youth Commissioner </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><u>On The Fence</u></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jill Carter, Delegate</li>
<li>Nick Mosby, Baltimore City Councilmember </li>
<li>Brandon Scott, Baltimore City Councilmember </li>
<li>David Warnock, venture capitalist and foundation head</li>
<li>Jack Young, Baltimore City Council President</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><u>Out</u></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ben Jealous, former NAACP President </li>
<li>Joan Pratt, Baltimore City Comptroller</li>
<li>Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, current Mayor </li>
<li>Wes Moore, nationally renowned author and TV host/producer</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-76449904149193716372015-10-19T17:46:00.003-04:002021-01-05T03:49:30.482-05:00Sierra Club Endorses Jamie Raskin in Maryland's 8th Congressional District Race to Replace Chris Van Hollen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
The Sierra Club's Maryland chapter endorsed Sen. Jamie Raskin today, becoming the first environmental organization to endorse in the competitive Democratic primary in the 8th Congressional District. The field also includes Maryland House Environment & Transportation Committee Chairman Kumar Barve. The chapter's endorsement statement as released by the Raskin campaign is quoted below (<i>emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>SIERRA CLUB</b></u>: "Senator Jamie Raskin has an <b>extremely compelling record</b> as a passionate environmentalist in Annapolis and has time and again proven his willingness to <b>stand up to powerful political and economic interests</b> to protect the land, the air, the water, and the people," said Betsy Johnson, Political Chair of the Maryland Sierra Club. "We are proud to support him and believe he will be a great representative for District 8."</blockquote>
While the Sierra Club said they would share their "enthusiastic endorsement with its members" the chapter did not mention how many members they had in CD8 (they have 14,000 in the state), or if their support would lead to PAC expenditures in the race. In 2014, the chapter endorsed Del. Heather Mizeur in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-91146252304894327602015-10-19T17:05:00.003-04:002021-01-05T03:50:03.995-05:00MoCo Republicans Retreat on Voter Suppression Strategy // Board of Elections Chair Will Reinstate Two Early Vote Locations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Scott Goldberg
<br />
<br />
Maryland Juice previously wrote about a <a href="http://www.marylandjuice.com/2015/10/all-in-one-place-list-of-endorsements.html">Republican voter suppression strategy in Montgomery County</a>. The new GOP majority on the county Board of Elections (MCBOE) attempted to eliminate two high-performing early vote locations in MoCo and replace them with locations in less densely populated neighborhoods that are (coincidentally) closer to Republicans. But last Thursday, the state Board of Elections (SBOE) rejected the MoCo Republican plan and directed the MCBOE to come up with a new proposal.<br />
<br />
Today Montgomery County Council President <a href="https://www.facebook.com/george.leventhal/posts/10153693529808781?pnref=story">George Leventhal reported on Facebook</a> that MoCo's Republican Board of Elections chair is retreating on his voter suppression plan:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>GEORGE LEVENTHAL</b></u>: County Board of Elections Chair Jim Shalleck called to say the Board will restore both disputed early voting sites (Praisner & Lawton). Mr. Shalleck also said the Board would ask the state for a 10th early voting site in Potomac.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui6_ueO3r3v58G2rn0wcf_4KRFHuFEZUDkNCs181A6wWMhe5AK7xtx111ooniSjJ2W8vO5H3BgeJV-lRpQcTQysC98dV9zuReWnKVCbV94VG5ZkbP4zdswAl9BxKoG8onVHQ5AeTg83n4/s1600/leventhal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6fa8dc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui6_ueO3r3v58G2rn0wcf_4KRFHuFEZUDkNCs181A6wWMhe5AK7xtx111ooniSjJ2W8vO5H3BgeJV-lRpQcTQysC98dV9zuReWnKVCbV94VG5ZkbP4zdswAl9BxKoG8onVHQ5AeTg83n4/s640/leventhal.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(242, 242, 242); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee also sent out the following press release:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>*******BOE REINSTATES ORIGINAL 9 EARLY VOTING SITES********</b><br />
<b>Legislature Will Propose Adding One More Center</b></div>
<br />
The Montgomery County Board of Elections (BOE) voted to reinstate 8 of the original early voting centers from the 2014 election and the Wheaton Firehouse to replace the Wheaton Community Center, which is undergoing rennovation. This includes the Praisner and Lawton centers advocated by the MCDCC, County Council, and State Legislators, as well as numerous community members and non-partisan community groups. The decision means that they will submit the 9 centers to the State BOE for approval at their special meeting on Friday October 23.<br />
<br />
A critical part of this decision is that <span style="background-color: yellow;">the MCDCC and State Delegation made a commitment to submit legislation at the beginning of the Legislative Session in January to add a 10th early voting center in Montgomery County</span> for the 2016 election. The County Council also made a commitment to establish a 10th early voting center. <br />
<br />
Although the decision by the Board today will not be final until it is approved by the State BOE, voters in Montgomery County should be pleased with the outcome.<br />
<br />
We will be in touch after the State BOE meeting on Friday to report on the final decision.<br />
<br />
Darrell Anderson<br />
MCDCC Chair</blockquote>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-28902829857923036572015-10-19T16:09:00.000-04:002015-10-19T17:09:47.970-04:00SAVE DATE: WED 10/28 MoCo Young Dems Hosting Republican Debate-Watching Party w/ Comedians // GOP Clown Car Show!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Need a few laughs next week? The Montgomery County Young Democrats are hosting a Republican Debate-watching party next <u><b>Wednesday, October 28th in Silver Spring</b></u> (details below). They'll have comedians on hand to skewer Donald Trump and the GOP Clown Car gang, including Lee Camp, Chelsea Shorte, and Brian Parise.<br />
<br />
$10 tickets are available at: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/prrhtqz">http://tinyurl.com/prrhtqz</a><br />
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David Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429469804005993770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-54624553660712466412015-10-15T13:13:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:51:04.403-05:00Fundraising Reports for Maryland's US Senate, CD4 & CD8 Races // Van Hollen, Matthews, & Brown Lead in 3rd Quarter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Below Maryland Juice provides a rundown of fundraising numbers for Democratic candidates running the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives in Maryland. We are posting numbers from a range of sources including official FEC reports, press releases, and news articles -- but when all the candidates officially file FEC reports, we will continuously update the data with the submitted information. Note that candidates can also make loans and/or personal contributions to themselves. In future posts, we'll take a deep dive into various aspects of these fundraising reports.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>INFORMATION LAST UPDATED</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
October 19 at 6:06 pm</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Summary Table of Current Cash on Hand</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>US Senate</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Chris Van Hollen - $4.1 million</li>
<li>Donna Edwards - $368,507 </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<u>8th Congressional District</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Kathleen Matthews - $891,716</li>
<li>Jamie Raskin - $693,918</li>
<li>Kumar Barve - $276,344</li>
<li>Will Jawando - $196,481 </li>
<li>Ana Sol Gutierrez - $151,573 (includes $44,500 loan)</li>
<li>David Anderson - $46,000 (includes $30,000 loan)</li>
<li>Joel Rubin - report not required (recently filed candidate)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>4th Congressional District</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Glenn Ivey - $391,461</li>
<li>Joseline Pena-Melnyk - $304,534</li>
<li>Anthony Brown - $252,982</li>
<li>Dereck Davis - $206,031</li>
<li>Ingrid Turner - $135,234 (includes $120,000 loan)</li>
<li>Lisa Ransom - $1,489 (also filed <a href="http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/807/201510159002900807/201510159002900807.pdf" target="_blank">Termination Report</a>)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>United States Senate</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>Donna Edwards</u> (information via press release)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$638,525</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1.5 million</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$368,507</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Chris Van Hollen</u> (information via <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/van-hollen-raises-950k-in-latest-fundraising-report/2015/10/15/7d1ecd54-7365-11e5-9cbb-790369643cf9_story.html">Washington Post article</a>)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$950,000</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$5,168,263</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$4.1 million</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>8th Congressional District</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>David Anderson</u> (information via FEC)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$38,107</b> (includes $13,540 personal donation)</li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$38,107 </b>(includes $13,540 personal donation)</li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$48,099</b> (includes $30,000 loan)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Kumar Barve</u> (information via <a href="http://marylandscramble.com/2015/10/15/breaking-barve-132000-276k-coh/">Maryland Scramble article</a>)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$132,505</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$423,967</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$276,344</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Ana Sol Gutierrez</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): $<b>55,817</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$118,227</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$151,573</b> (includes $44,500 loan)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Will Jawando</u> (information via <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-md-candidates-file-third-quarter-fundraising-20151014-story.html?llaaak">Baltimore Sun article</a>)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$162,650</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$275,005</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$196,481</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Kathleen Matthews</u> (information via press release)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$564,221</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1,065,327</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$891,716</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Jamie Raskin</u> (information via FEC)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$375,199</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$928,718</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand:<b> $693,918</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Joel Rubin</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): report not required (recently filed candidate)</li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: report not required (recently filed candidate)</li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: report not required (recently filed candidate)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><u>4th Congressional District</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<u>Anthony Brown</u> (information via FEC)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015):<b> $179,924</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date:<b> $349,043</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: (Q3 Report Not Filed Yet):<b> $252,982</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Dereck Davis</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$125,195</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$313,327</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$206,031</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Glenn Ivey</u> (information via FEC)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$127,214</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$518,324</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b> $391,461</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Joseline Pena-Melnyk</u> (information via FEC)<u><br /></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$139,471</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$364,631</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$304,534</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Lisa Ransom</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$5,645</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$10,115</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$1,489</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Ingrid Turner</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$15,292<u><br /></u></b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$56,150</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$135,234</b> (includes $120,000 loan)<u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><u><b>Non-Open Seat U.S. House Incumbents</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<u>Elijah Cummings</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$135,474</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$369,664</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$980,916</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>John Delaney</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$128,006</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$634,180</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$308,881</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Andy Harris (R)</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$71,484</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$493,682</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$574,022</b></li>
</ul>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Steny Hoyer</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$376,815</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$1,413,456</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$649,791</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Dutch Ruppersberger</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$109,651</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$389,363</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$1,054,808</b><u><br /></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>John Sarbanes</u> (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$116,515</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$349,191</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$872,213</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><u>Select GOP Challengers</u></b></span></div>
<br />
<u>Mark Plaster</u><b> [</b>CD3] (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$27,275</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$106,833 </b>(includes $50,100 personal contrib)</li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$33,065</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Mike Smigiel</u> [CD1] (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$2,707</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date:<b>$12,534</b><u><br /></u></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$3,131</b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>David Vogt</u><b> [</b>CD6] (information via FEC)<br />
<ul>
<li>Donations Raised Q3 (July to September 2015): <b>$34,482</b></li>
<li>Donations Raised Year to Date: <b>$50,062</b></li>
<li>Current Cash on Hand: <b>$29,042</b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-29601593516231426662015-10-07T22:13:00.003-04:002021-01-05T03:51:15.397-05:00NEW DELEGATES: Who'll Fill Maryland's 2 Vacant House Seats? // The Replacements for Jim Proctor & Will Campos in 27A & 47B<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
<u><b>BACKGROUND</b></u>: Maryland currently has two vacancies in the House of Delegates, due to the recent passing of Delegate Jim Proctor and the resignation of Delegate Will Campos for personal reasons. Both members of the General Assembly served as Democrats, and under Maryland law, the vacancies will be filled by a vote of the elected Democratic Central Committees representing the counties where the members previously served. The recommendations of these county Central Committees are then sent to the Governor for formal appointment. <br />
<br />
Notably, Delegate Will Campos' District 47B is contained wholly within Prince George's County. As a result, the elected members of the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee get to make the recommendation for Campos' replacement. In contrast, Delegate Jim Proctor's District 27A is contained within both Prince George's County and Charles County. Correspondingly, both counties' Democratic Central Committees take independent votes on a replacement for Delegate Proctor. Though the appointment process is not yet complete in either legislative district, we have a very good sense of who will replace Delegates Jim Proctor and Will Campos:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><u>Likely Replacement in District 27A</u>: <span style="color: red;"><b>Susie Proctor</b></span></li>
<li><u>Likely Replacement in District 47B</u>: <span style="color: red;"><b>Carlo Sanchez</b></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><b>DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEES CHOOSE SANCHEZ & PROCTOR</b></u> - The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee (PGCDCC) met on October 6th to nominate people to fill the Delegate vacancies in D27A and D47B. Without any of the drama or backroom chaos that often accompanies these procedures (on <a href="http://redmaryland.com/2013/08/a-process-we-can-be-proud-of/" target="_blank">both</a> <a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Court-Stays-Ruling-That-Withdrew-Hall-from-Contention-for-House-Seat-182450171.html" target="_blank">sides</a> of the aisle), the PGCDCC unanimously recommended Susie Proctor and Carlo Sanchez to fill the vacancies for District 27A and 47B, respectively. These names are submitted to Governor Larry Hogan, who has fifteen days to make the appointment.<br />
<br />
For Mr. Sanchez, the process effectively concluded last night since
District 47B is completely within Prince George's County, but Proctor's
District 27A also includes portions of Charles County - so that Central
Committee must weigh in as well for the second vacant seat. <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/03art3.html" target="_blank">Article III, Section 13 (b) (3)</a> states (<i>excerpt below, emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If the vacancy occurs in a district which has boundaries comprising a portion or all of two or more counties, the<b> Central Committee of each county involved shall have one vote</b> for submitting the name of a resident of the district; and <b>if there is a tie vote </b>between or among the Central Committees, the list of names there proposed shall be submitted to the Governor, and <b>he shall make the appointment from the list</b></blockquote>
Earlier this evening, the Charles County Democratic Central Committee joined their Prince George's counterparts in recommending Susie Proctor for the D27A vacancy by a vote of 14-1. Proctor faced competition from Charles County Orphans Court Judge Darlene Breck, and activist and former Commissioner-candidate Jim Easter.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">MD'S UNIQUE PROCESS FOR FILLING STATE LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES</u> - Maryland is one of 25 states that fill legislative vacancies through an appointment process, while the other 25 (including Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia) have special elections. While the Governor makes the formal appointment, the Maryland Constitution stipulates that the appointee must of be of the same political party as the person they succeed and carves out a role for the local Central Committee. <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/03art3.html" target="_blank">Article III, Section 13 (a) (1)</a> lays it out (<i>excerpt below, emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In case of death, disqualification, resignation, refusal to act, expulsion, or removal from the county or city for which he shall have been elected, of any person who shall have been chosen as a Delegate or Senator, or in case of a tie between two or more such qualified persons, the <b>Governor shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy from a person whose name shall be submitted to him in writing, within thirty</b> <b>days </b>after the occurrence of the vacancy,<b> by the Central Committee of the political party</b>, if any, with which the Delegate or Senator, so vacating, had been affiliated, at the time of the last election or appointment of the vacating Senator or Delegate, in the County or District from which he or she was appointed or elected, provided that the appointee shall be of the same political party, if any, as was that of the Delegate or Senator, whose office is to be filled, at the time of the last election or appointment of the vacating Delegate or Senator, and it shall be the duty of the <b>Governor to make said appointment within fifteen days after the submission</b> thereof to him.</blockquote>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Dc1jd_lynbBcesDrk4e_S4BNGxiE2ULKBAE-4CYZhjbTHrfaZP8Jg4YlljK28gz3di4EiNIdAjHUoy0o3xU2Xeu_0O7v-R93uD7YbxzQYDKEgPh-2L8lRwUMv1xKxdxo3z0e8C8svc3/s1600/sanchez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Dc1jd_lynbBcesDrk4e_S4BNGxiE2ULKBAE-4CYZhjbTHrfaZP8Jg4YlljK28gz3di4EiNIdAjHUoy0o3xU2Xeu_0O7v-R93uD7YbxzQYDKEgPh-2L8lRwUMv1xKxdxo3z0e8C8svc3/s200/sanchez.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Carlo Sanchez</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">WHO IS CARLO SANCHEZ?</u> - Carlo Sanchez's name was <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/latino-state-lawmaker-from-prince-georges-resigns-9-months-into-job/2015/09/10/c8b58600-57ee-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html" target="_blank">mentioned</a> immediately following Del. Campos' resignation. He's a lifelong resident of House of Delegates District 47B, and is currently President of the Carole Highlands Civic Association. While the Prince George's Central Committee is his first elected position (he is the body's Secretary), Carlo has been active in local campaigns including managing Wanda Shelton Martin's unsuccessful bid for Delegate in the 47th in 2010. Carlo currently works as Public Safety Training Officer at Montgomery College.<br />
<br />
Mr. Sanchez received the backing of Senator Ramirez and the 47th Delegation, and surprisingly no one else threw their hat in the ring. Other names that were floated include Dinora Hernandez who sits on the Price George's County Board of Education, and former Jolene Ivey-aide Wanika Fisher. Carlo's appointment would keep the number of Latino state legislators at 6. Maryland is home to more than 500,000 Hispanic residents. District 47B is the state's first Hispanic-majority district.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9oS3GiECNywzrZ_1O40bckZSt7csKlh48TQpvs9ORw166CBeclT-I1V90Uf68fEnY-1vtPdfu8ru4GUaBNqXAXRDE_oKtU6ETY66URoquwUtWH3ATyqVOMuP-UIOEmGMjsSz-IQDqYkY/s1600/susie+proctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9oS3GiECNywzrZ_1O40bckZSt7csKlh48TQpvs9ORw166CBeclT-I1V90Uf68fEnY-1vtPdfu8ru4GUaBNqXAXRDE_oKtU6ETY66URoquwUtWH3ATyqVOMuP-UIOEmGMjsSz-IQDqYkY/s320/susie+proctor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Susie Proctor</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">WHO IS SUSIE PROCTOR?</u> - Susie Proctor is widely assumed to be the choice to complete her husband's term in the House of Delegates. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/proctors-widow-is-willing-to-fill-her-late-husbands-seat-in-md-statehouse/2015/09/11/f5ef88b8-58cb-11e5-b8c9-944725fcd3b9_story.html" target="_blank">The support of Senate President Mike Miller, who represents District 27, likely sealed the deal </a>. Susie is a former educator, having worked for Prince George's County Public Schools for 30 years. She has not run for elected office before, but is the Vice Chairman of the Prince George's Community College Board of Trustees and Chair of the County Tax Assessment Appeal Board.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/WIC/Historical-Essays/No-Lady/Widow-Familial/" target="_blank">Widow/widower succession</a> is not a new concept nationally or locally. Maryland examples includes former Congresswoman Beverly Byron, former Delegate Mary Conroy and former Montgomery County Councilmember Don Praisner.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-15585006266322930952015-10-06T16:24:00.000-04:002015-10-06T16:24:22.898-04:00Maryland Juice Is Back! - Meet Our New Writer (And Hopefully More Soon) // So What Now? We Kind of Have An Idea....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Aaaaand we're back! Sorry for the 10 month hiatus, but Maryland Juice founder David Moon stepped away from his writing duties to learn how to become a lawmaker in Annapolis. During that period, a lot of good political news went uncovered, but in recent months some new blogs and local publications have stepped into the Maryland press void. We hope to re-join this community in the coming weeks -- but as always, we will do so from the lens of Maryland's progressive Democratic community, with a twist of civil liberties and justice blended into your juice. :)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately (or fortunately), Maryland Juice 1.0 (David Moon) will be taking an indefinite hiatus from his writing duties and lining up new writers for the blog. During this transition period, he'll be helping the new writers understand the readership data for Maryland Juice, it's writing style, etc. The goal will be to keep the mission of the blog the same (eg: justice oriented Maryland political news), but to bring some new voices into the mix. That being said, all story ideas and press distribution should go to the new writers. Moon is going to be shifting into a passive role with the blog. We'll see where this takes us.....<br />
<br />
<u><b>OH SNAP, NEW WRITERS!</b></u> - The first of the new writers under the Maryland Juice 2.0 reboot will be <b>Matt Verghese</b>, a Montgomery County-based Democratic politico. He's kicking us off with a handful of articles on voter suppression in MoCo, endorsements in Maryland's Congressional races, and a summary of recent state polling results. Add this guy to your press list & send him some juicy leads: <a href="mailto:matt@marylandjuice.com">matt@marylandjuice.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZALdIyN-0lf5vJKxP-drSkLkvGKJa9H8RGx9VMJNprThstpvGyLaGsj7Qz2mXlHxnQ79GZue5YGSNBmhclHZoAKmz74rc8PJEUTRTeIasRkv6AQqV4DWFQnVLBF1kWoPQqhmoebbG11i8/s1600/verghese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZALdIyN-0lf5vJKxP-drSkLkvGKJa9H8RGx9VMJNprThstpvGyLaGsj7Qz2mXlHxnQ79GZue5YGSNBmhclHZoAKmz74rc8PJEUTRTeIasRkv6AQqV4DWFQnVLBF1kWoPQqhmoebbG11i8/s640/verghese.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0000ee; font-size: small;">Meet Matt Verghese, a Maryland Juice 2.0 writer</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>WHO IS THIS GUY ANYWAY?</b></u> - Matt Verghese comes to Maryland Juice after a long stint in Annapolis - including working for the General Assembly, serving as Political and Communications Director of the Maryland Democratic Party, and as Lt. Governor Anthony Brown's Deputy Chief of Staff. He's been involved in a number of campaigns - including Governor O'Malley's 2010 reelect, serving as Deputy Coordinated Campaign Director in 2012, and the 2014 gubernatorial race. He currently works as a Senior Aide to Tom Hucker at the Montgomery County Council.<br />
<br />
Matt is lover of all things Maryland - especially the Terps, berger cookies, crabs smothered in Old Bay, and local craft beers. He's opinionated (extremely so according to some), happily biased against outdated trickle-down reactionary policies and the politicians who espouse them, and a wonkish enthusiast of data, tables and charts. Matt lives in Montgomery County and is a proud graduate of MCPS. He received both his bachelor and master's degrees from the University of Maryland. You can reach Matt Verghese at <a href="mailto:matt@marylandjuice.com">matt@marylandjuice.com</a>.</div>
David Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429469804005993770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-47558417205184253022015-10-06T15:54:00.002-04:002021-01-05T03:52:51.827-05:00ALL IN ONE PLACE: A List of Endorsements in Maryland's 8th & 4th Congressional Districts // Do These Endorsements Matter?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of endorsements for each Democrat running in the state's two open-seat races for the U.S. House of Representatives: 1) the 8th Congressional District (currently held by Rep. Chris Van Hollen) and 2) the 4th Congressional District (currently held by Rep. Donna Edwards).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS IN MD'S 8TH AND 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT</b></u> - We included endorsements from organizations, current elected officials,
and former elected officials. We also included labor unions whose donations appeared on the candidates' campaign finance reports. Candidates not listed below are Democrats who have not announced any endorsements we are aware of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you think we've missed anything, please
contact me at <a href="mailto:matt@marylandjuice.com">matt@marylandjuice.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">QUICK TAKE -- DO ENDORSEMENTS MATTER?</u> - Voters often say that political endorsements don't influence their decision making. Celebrities, newspapers and even faith leaders don't do much better. Why? Voters want to see themselves as independent decision makers not overly influenced to cast a ballot because some editorial board or politician told them to. But in a race where issues and ideology don't distinguish the candidates, endorsements might help voters decide (maybe more than they're willing admit). The competition for endorsements <span style="font-family: inherit;">is</span> often part of a behind-the-scenes "invisible primary" among the political class, and when there is often limited press coverage of these primaries - endorsements often guarantee (positive) media attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">With 5 current members of the General Assembly running for Congress -- including 3 committee chairs -- the Annapolis undercurrents are not difficult to see <span style="font-family: inherit;">(</span>eg: 10 members of Economic Matters endorsing their Chairman Dereck Davis in the 4th District, House Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller endorsing their respective colleagues). Personal relationships matter too (see eg: Rep. Sarbanes endorsing law school classmate Sen. Raskin, County Executive Baker backing longtime family friend Glenn Ivey, etc).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are the marquee endorsements? Those that bring with them money, people and attention. That's why labor matters, as do persons with high </span>recognition<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and approval among the electorate (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/obama-offers-early-endorsement-of-sen-ben-cardin/2011/11/30/gIQA9AO9CO_blog.html" target="_blank">current</a> and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/bill-clinton-backs-john-delaney-in-maryland-congressional-primary/2012/03/05/gIQAMD8asR_blog.html" target="_blank">former</a> Presidents top that list). Important to note that since this election is in a purely federal cycle w<span style="font-family: inherit;">ith<span style="font-family: inherit;">out state races on the ballot</span></span>, many state and local electeds cannot expend <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the<span style="font-family: inherit;">ir state campaign<span style="font-family: inherit;"> finance</span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">warchests</span> on behalf of their chosen federal candidates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't count anyone out yet<span style="font-family: inherit;">, b</span>ecause <span style="font-family: inherit;">there's still one thing that</span> could potentially make the biggest difference in today's post-<i>Citizen's United</i> and <i>McCutheon</i> campaign-world<span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span> A super PAC. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><u><b>8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENT<span style="font-family: inherit;">S</span></b></u></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jamie Raskin</span></b></u></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>National Organizations</u>:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Democracy for America</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC (donation) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Progressive Change Campaign Committee </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Progressive Democrats of America</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Federal Elected Officials</u>:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep John Conyers (MI)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep John Sarbanes (MD)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Mark Takano (CA)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former US Senator Birch Bayh (IN) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former US Senator Joseph Tydings (MD)</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>State Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Attorney General Brian Frosh</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Attorney General Doug Gansler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senate President Mike Miller</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senate Majority Leader Catherine Pugh</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator John Astle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator James Brochin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Ed DeGrange</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Nathaniel McFadden</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Mac Middleton</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Susan Lee</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Rich Madaleno</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Karen Montgomery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Douglass JJ Peters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Paul Pinsky</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Victor Ramirez</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Jim Rosapepe</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Ron Young</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Bobby Zirkin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Sheila Hixson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Karen Lewis Young</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate David Moon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Will Smith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Jimmy Tarlau</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Delegate Gil Genn</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Local Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Sheriff Darren Popkin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Board of Education President Pat O'Neill</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Board of Education member Judy Docca</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montgomery County Board of Education member Rebecca Smondrowski</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Montgomery County Board of Education President Shirley Brandman</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park City Councilmember Kate Stewart</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park City Councilmember Seth Grimes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park City Councilmember Fred Schultz</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park City Councilmember Terry Seamens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Takoma Park City Councilmember Jarrett Smith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kensington Mayor Pete Fosselman</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kensington City Councilmember Paul Sexton</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rockville City Councilmember Tom Moore</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Martin's Addition Councilmember Josh Bowers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chevy Chase Village Board of Managers member Minh Le</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Mayor of the Town of Chevy Chase Mier Wolf</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kathleen Matthews</span></b></u></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Federal Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Cheri Bustos (IL)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Katherine Clark (MA)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Debbie Dingell (MI)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Anna Eshoo (CA)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Lois Frankel (FL)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">US House Rep Ann McLane Kuster (NH)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former US House Rep Beverly Byron (MD)</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kumar Barve</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Organizations</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maryland Medical Political Action Committee </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>State Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">House Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Maryland Speaker Cas Taylor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Maryland Speaker Clayton Mitchell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Senator Jennie Forehand</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Pamela Beidle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Talmadge Branch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Barbara Frush</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Jim Gilchrist</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Anne Healey</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Marvin Holmes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Carol Krimm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Steven Lafferty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Clarence Lam</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Eric Leudtke</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Cory McCray</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Aruna Miller</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Andrew Platt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Shane Robinson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Dana Stein</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Joe Vallario</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Craig Zucker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Delegate John Hurson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Delegate Carol Petzold</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Delegate Galen Claggett</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Local Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garrett Park Mayor Peter Benjamin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Westminster Councilmember Greg Pecoraro</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Montgomery County Board of Education Member Alan Cheung</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ana Sol Gutierrez</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Organizations</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poder PAC</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><u><b>4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENTS</b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joseline Pena-Melynk</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Organizations</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blue America </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Democracy for America</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators PAC (donation) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poder PAC</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Progressive Change Campaign Committee</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>State Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Jim Rosapepe</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Ben Barnes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Pam Beidle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Mark Chang</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Barbara Frush</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Peter Hammen</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Anne Healey</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Shane Pendergrass</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Ted Sophocleus</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Local Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prince George’s Councilmember Mary Lehman</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prince George’s Councilmember Danielle Glaros</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prince George’s Board of Education Member Lupi Grady</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anne Arundel Councilmember Andrew Prusky</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anne Arundel Board of Education Member Stacy Korbelak</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anne Arundel Board of Education Member Julie Hummer </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel Mayor Craig Moe </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel City Council President H. Edward Ricks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel City Councilmember Michael Leszcz</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel City Councilmember Valerie Nicholas</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel City Councilmember Frederick Smalls</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laurel City Councilmember Donna Crary</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mount Rainier Councilmember Tracy Loh</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Prince George’s Councilmember Tom Dernoga</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Laurel Mayor Robert DiPietro</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dereck Davis </span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>State Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Angela Angel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Charley Barkley</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Darryl Barnes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Ben Brooks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Ned Carey</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Bill Frick</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Cheryl Glenn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Adrienne Jones</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Ben Kramer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Sally Jameson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Will Smith</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Frank Turner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Joe Vallario</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Michael Vaughn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate Jay Walker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delegate C.T. Wilson</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Local Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prince George’s Councilmember Derrick L Davis</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glenn Ivey</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Organizations</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>State Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">State Senator Victor Ramirez</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Former Delegate Will Campos</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Local Elected Officials</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brentwood Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anthony Brown</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Organizations</u>:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">VoteVets PAC</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once again, if you think we've missed anything, please
contact me at <a href="mailto:matt@marylandjuice.com">matt@marylandjuice.com</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-45944119642199794542015-10-06T15:43:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:53:00.235-05:00POLL: MD Supports Obama, Hogan, Pot & Immigrants (1 Is Not Like The Others) // PLUS: Marylanders on Presidential Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Below Maryland Juice provides highlights from a new Goucher Poll on the Presidential race, Governor Larry Hogan and a few policy debates. You can see the summary data below. <u>A few quick items of interest</u>:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Slim majorities of Marylanders approve of Larry Hogan & Barack Obama's jobs, but many residents don't yet have an opinion on Hogan.</li>
<li>Governor Hogan's issue ratings are lower, and he receives his lowest marks on education -- the most important issues facing the state and the only issue where Democrats disapprove </li>
<li>Marylanders support marijuana legalization, and a super-majority of residents support a path to citizenship for undocumented residents.</li>
<li>Marylanders disapprove of the job Congress is doing by a whopping 83%.</li>
<li>It's early in the Presidential race, but Hillary Clinton tops the polls for Maryland Democrats & Martin O'Malley is scraping the bottom in his own state</li>
</ol>
<br />
<u>Who Would Maryland Democrats Vote for in Presidential Primary?</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Hillary Clinton: 43%</span></li>
<li>Joe Biden: 23%</li>
<li>Bernie Sanders: 17%</li>
<li>Martin O'Malley: 2%</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Who Do Maryland Democrats Think Will Win Nomination?</u><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Hillary Clinton: 54%</span></li>
<li>Joe Biden: 14%</li>
<li>Bernie Sanders: 8%</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Marylanders' Approval of Governor Hogan's Job as Governor</u>:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Approve: 58%</span></li>
<li>Disapprove: 18%</li>
<li>Don't Know: 23%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders' Approval of Governor Hogan's Handling of Issues (ranked by importance):</u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table class="tg" style="table-layout: fixed; text-align: center; width: 355px;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 120px;"></col>
<col style="width: 85px;"></col>
<col style="width: 89px;"></col>
<col style="width: 61px;"></col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-baqh"></th>
<th class="tg-if35">Approve</th>
<th class="tg-if35">Disapprove</th>
<th class="tg-baqh"></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Public education</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">40</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">33</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Taxes</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">51</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">29</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Economic growth</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">52</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">21</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Job creation</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">42</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">28</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Crime</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">43</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">32</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Transportation</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">50</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">29</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-baqh">Environment</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">43</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">27</td>
<td class="tg-baqh">+16</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u>Marylanders' Approval of President Obama's Job as President</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Approve: 53%</span></li>
<li>Disapprove: 38%</li>
<li>Don't Know: 7% </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders' Approval of Congress' Job</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Disapprove: 83%</span></li>
<li>Approve: 9%</li>
<li>Don't Know: 7%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders on Marijuana Legalization</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Support Legalization: 52%</span></li>
<li>Oppose Legalization: 42%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders on Who Should Decide Marijuana Policy</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">States Should Decide: 64%</span></li>
<li>Federal Government Should Decide: 31%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders on Redistricting</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Prefer Independent Commission: 73%</span></li>
<li>Prefer Redistricting by Electeds: 21%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders on Starting School After Labor Day</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Support Starting After Labor Day: 72%</span></li>
<li>Oppose Starting After Labor Day: 19%</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<u>Marylanders on Undocumented Immigrants</u>:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: red;">Allow Them to Stay In Jobs With Path to Citizenship: 62%</span></li>
<li>Make Them Leave Jobs & the USA: 20%</li>
<li>Allow Them to Stay Temporarly In Jobs Without Path to Citizenship: 13%</li>
</ul>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721302706989976486.post-19567617648222313912015-10-06T15:37:00.001-04:002021-01-05T03:53:09.331-05:00GOP War on Voting Comes to MoCo // MD Board of Elections to Vote OCT 15 on Ending Early Voting Sites: Here's the Process<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By Matt Verghese
<br />
<br />
Here we go again.... Four months after Governor Larry Hogan <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/2015/05/22/cab0d448-00cb-11e5-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html" target="_blank">vetoed</a> a bill to restore voting rights to 40,000 people returning to society from prison, the Maryland GOP is back at it. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/republican-led-montgomery-election-board-shifts-early-voting-sites/2015/09/22/dc237cb4-613b-11e5-b38e-06883aacba64_story.html" target="_blank"><i>The Washington Post</i> reported on controversy swirling around a recent decision by the Republican-led Montgomery County Board of Elections</a> (MCBOE) to replace two of nine high-performing early voting sites with less populated polling locations closer to Republicans (<i>excerpt below, emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: The Republican majority on the Montgomery County Board of Elections, led by an appointee of Gov. Larry Hogan (R), voted Monday to <b>shift two heavily used early-voting sites to less populous locations</b>, prompting Democratic charges of voter suppression. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The board voted 3 to 2 to move early voting from the Marilyn Praisner Community Center in Burtonsville, which serves high-poverty East County communities along U.S. 29, to the Longwood Community Recreation Center in Brookeville, 13 miles to the northwest. The panel also shifted early balloting from the Jane Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase, about a half-mile from the Bethesda Metro station, to the Potomac Community Recreation Center, on Falls Road, 10 miles to the northwest....</blockquote>
<br />
<u><b>THE PROCESS: WHAT HAPPENED & WHAT COMES NEXT</b></u>: Notably, the party of the Governor (now a Republican) gets to appoint members to county boards of election. <a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Contacts/BoardMembers.html">Montgomery County's board is now made up of three Republicans and two Democrats</a>:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Jim Shalleck, President - Republican</li>
<li>Nahid Khozeimeh, Vice President - Republican</li>
<li>Mary Ann Keeffe, Secretary - Democrat</li>
<li>Alexander Vincent, Board Member - Republican</li>
<li>David Naimon, Board Member - Democrat</li>
</ul>
<br />
Notably, Jim Shalleck was the 2014 Republican candidate for Montgomery County Executive and formerly chaired the MoCo Republican Party. After listening to public testimony on Montgomery County's early vote locations, the MCBOE took a partly line vote (3-2) to close two early voting centers and replace them with locations closer to Republicans. <u>The Montgomery County Republicans' proposal now heads to the five-member State Board of
Elections (SBOE) for a final vote on October 15th</u>. Notably the SBOE also now has a Republican majority, but one more person has to
weigh in before this vote occurs: Linda Lamone, the State Administrator of the Board of Elections. Code of Maryland Regulation <a href="http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/33/33.17.02.02.htm">33.17.02.02F</a> states (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>MARYLAND CODE</b></u>: Upon
receipt of a form for a proposed early voting center, the State
Administrator shall review and make a recommendation to the State Board
as to whether to accept or reject the proposed early voting center....</blockquote>
Lamone could base a recommendation against the GOP's early voting proposal based on criteria listed
in state regulations, including provisions that polling locations be "served by public transportation and roads"
and have "parking facilities sufficient for early voting." Notably Lamone has served as Maryland's State Administrator since Governor Paris Glendening and previously
foiled an attempt by Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich to remove her from her position.<br />
<br />
The provision that sites be "served by public transportation" could be problematic for the Republicans' proposal to close the Burtonsville site and replace it with one at the Longwood Community Recreation Center in Brookeville. Only one bus route serves the Brookeville site (<a href="http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/routesandschedules/allroutes/route053.html">Ride On Route 53, with a stop .3 miles from the polls)</a>, and
the bus only runs in the morning and evening on weekdays. Meanwhile, early voting is open all day.<br />
<br />
If Lamone were to recommend against the early voting changes, it would take a super-majority of the SBOE to approve the Montgomery County Republicans' proposal. And if all else fails in stopping the Republican voter suppression effort, there is one final backstop: A few state legislators representing Montgomery County are contemplating legislation to increase the county's number of early voting sites from nine to eleven, using the two additional sites to restore polling locations in Chevy Chase and Burtonsville. <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2015/State-Legislators-Say-Theyve-Found-Solution-to-Early-Voting-Site-Controversy/"><i>The Washington Post's Bill Turque</i> reported on this backstop legislation</a> (<i>excerpt below</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: State Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery) said Wednesday that when the general Assembly reconvenes in January, he and Del. Eric Luedtke (D-Montgomery) will introduce a measure to expand the number of early voting sites in the county from nine to 11. The bill would restore the Marilyn Praisner Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville and the Jane Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase to the list while retaining the two new sites selected by the board, Longwood Community Recreation Center in Brookeville and Potomac Community Recreation Center in Potomac....<br />
<br />
[GOP MCBOE Chair] Shalleck said his only goal was to improve the “geographic diversity” of the sites, creating access to early voting for communities that have had none. But County Council staff have raised questions about whether the Longwood site meets all the Maryland criteria for early voting centers, specifically access to public transportation. [County Counicilmember Nancy] Navarro said the measure sponsored by Madaleno and Leudtke was “ a great idea. I’m really hoping this could be a fix,” she said....</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ask-state-board-of-elections-to-reverse-local-decision-to-eliminate-east-county-early-voting-site"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STEP 1: SIGN PETITION TO REVERSE </span></b></a><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/ask-state-board-of-elections-to-reverse-local-decision-to-eliminate-east-county-early-voting-site">EARLY VOTING CHANGES</a> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:info.sbe@maryland.gov"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STEP 2: E-MAIL MARYLAND'S </span></b></a><br />
<a href="mailto:info.sbe@maryland.gov"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS</span></b></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>VIDEO OF GOP BOARD OF ELECTIONS MEMBERS DISCUSSING THE CHANGES</b></u>: In response to the controversy, Montgomery County Councilmembers held a public hearing to question the county Board of Elections (MCBOE) about the motivation for these changes. In the video clip below (posted by Councilmember Tom Hucker) you can see the recently appointed Republican Chair of the MCBOE Jim Shalleck admit that:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Replacing the Burtonsville and Chevy Chase early voting sites with ones closer to Republicans would mean fewer voters live close to an early vote polling location</li>
<li>Not a single person who testified at a public hearing about polling locations called for closing the Burtonsville or Chevy Chase polling locations</li>
<li>Not a single person testified in favor of the proposed new sites in the less densely populated neighborhoods</li>
<li>Republican members of the MCBOE held private calls with Republican Party leaders about changing the early voting sites</li>
</ol>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yezei-nBe1w" width="560"></iframe></center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let’s break the Republicans' decision down:</div>
<br />
<b><u>IMPACT OF THE GOP'S PROPOSED EARLY VOTING CHANGES</u></b>: The move by the GOP Board to "expand the geographic reach of early voting" may seem innocuous, but is hard to see as anything but a partisan move -- <i>instead of one based on fair and efficient election administration</i>. <a href="http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2015/Rep-Chris-Van-Hollen-Calls-on-State-Officials-to-Reverse-Replacement-of-Early-Voting-Sites-in-Montgomery-County/" target="_blank">Congressman Van Hollen</a> points out that Chevy Chase's Lawton Community Center is the only western down-county early voting site within walking distance of a Metro station. The Republicans are proposing to close this polling location and open a new one in a far-less populated area in Potomac that is not Metro-accessible.<br />
<br />
But what is most suspect about the GOP’s proposal is how it moves early voting away from the high concentration of minority voters in East County. You can visualize what the impact of this change by using the <a href="http://demographics.coopercenter.org/DotMap/index.html" target="_blank">Racial Dot Map</a> from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. The black star on the map below is the current Burtonsville early voting center. The shading around the star represents the concentration of minority voters:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2gRbjRS-PgM1_9OqxvrWIaXbd62vhm2TzGdqs2hajFs94YgQnfw2G8wWxuCRicep5bCeHYLycUclwJB5aZA5ac6Vc57ohAgxBE7X92B7IIaaHW8P5g5ITDK7lsEChkr8VUcFVdlUnv4/s1600/Race+dot+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2gRbjRS-PgM1_9OqxvrWIaXbd62vhm2TzGdqs2hajFs94YgQnfw2G8wWxuCRicep5bCeHYLycUclwJB5aZA5ac6Vc57ohAgxBE7X92B7IIaaHW8P5g5ITDK7lsEChkr8VUcFVdlUnv4/s640/Race+dot+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><i>Borders reflect approximately 5 mile radius from Praisner Center</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The same voter suppression in Burtonsville holds true for lower-income voters. The following map was created using the <a href="http://synthpopviewer.rti.org/">Synthetic Population Viewer</a> developed by RTI International. Again, the star represents the Burtonsville early voting site, and the shading near the site represents lower income voters:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCX0wz6HOGxDp1QsGo7svP6pM-zSn0xGPCp17q7fLnRNT6tWtRY1gPLmtYPQuFqAz61QVGe2Jx5ERDRF5z6pOgBBcz_7lRXnR-j08436Dqw2jQahqy6-d81-I62ut9zplLeHeg87QOXY/s1600/Income+dot+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCX0wz6HOGxDp1QsGo7svP6pM-zSn0xGPCp17q7fLnRNT6tWtRY1gPLmtYPQuFqAz61QVGe2Jx5ERDRF5z6pOgBBcz_7lRXnR-j08436Dqw2jQahqy6-d81-I62ut9zplLeHeg87QOXY/s640/Income+dot+map.jpg" width="625" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Unsurprisingly, these voters tend to vote <a href="http://demographics.coopercenter.org/DotMap/congress.html">Democratic</a>. By comparison, the precincts around the Republicans proposed new site in Brookeville are among the handful of areas that Governor Hogan won in Montgomery County in 2014. The black star below represents the GOP's proposed new site in Brookeville, and the shading around the star represents the concentration of the Republican vote:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHkJ8z5c_z6o_2taabqw6x2FE7GIi16AAaUiQhG27_U9vd_LsFEpCQ3b7ajEr7JDGfuykoxcUJIGFNvF0Zc70RarHNxIIOTOcsFHOkKyhm9D9oGNwHsl52N3RDdxRZFuea-BJl7OitRs/s1600/Cong+results+dot+map.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHkJ8z5c_z6o_2taabqw6x2FE7GIi16AAaUiQhG27_U9vd_LsFEpCQ3b7ajEr7JDGfuykoxcUJIGFNvF0Zc70RarHNxIIOTOcsFHOkKyhm9D9oGNwHsl52N3RDdxRZFuea-BJl7OitRs/s640/Cong+results+dot+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thousands of low-income minority and Democratic-leaning voters will now be over 10 miles away from the nearest early voting center. But <a href="http://www.elections.state.md.us/press_room/2012_stats_general/2012_general_early_voting_turnout_and_distance.pdf" target="_blank">election data</a> in Maryland show that the closer you are to an early voting site, the more likely you are to use it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>WHY THIS MATTERS IN 2016</u></b>: Early voting use has surged (<a href="http://www.projectvote.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/PV_Policy_Paper_on_Early_Voting.pdf" target="_blank">especially among young voters, African Americans and Hispanic voters</a>) but its impact on turnout <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/23/study-early-voting-associated-with-lower-turnout/" target="_blank">is</a> <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/elj.2014.0259" target="_blank">mixed</a>. Should we care then about these changes to early voting, especially when our friends across the aisle portend <a href="http://redmaryland.com/2015/09/the-one-tweet-that-shows-the-maryland-democrats-hypocrisy-on-early-voting/" target="_blank">we don’t even need early voting since we can vote by absentee for any reason at all</a>?<br />
<br />
One big reason is a new Maryland law taking effect that allows same day voter registration. <u>Starting in 2016, Maryland residents can register to vote and cast a ballot at any early voting center for 8 days</u>. According to <a href="http://www.demos.org/sites/default/files/publications/SameDayRegistration_Maryland_Demos.pdf" target="_blank">Demos</a>, same-day registration would increase overall turnout especially among young adults, voters of color and low-income families. Research even suggests that voter turnout is <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2009/uwisconsin1pdf.pdf" target="_blank">maximized</a> when same day registration is coupled with early voting. Moving early voter centers away from the voters most likely to benefit from same day registration? This is surely not the intention of the GOP....<br />
<br />
<b><u>BUT IT COULD’VE BEEN WORSE (HA)</u></b>: Facing perhaps unexpected pressure from the press and elected officials to fully explain their rationale for the early voting changes -- Republican MCBOE Chair Jim Shalleck warned <a href="http://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2015/09/moving-montgomery-co-early-voting-sites-gets-political/" target="_blank">Kate Ryan of <i>WTOP</i> that it could’ve been much worse</a> (<i>transcript below, emphasis mine</i>):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>JIM SHALLECK</b></u>: If we wanted to be political we could’ve cut Silver Spring and Wheaton - the two most heavily Democratic voting sites. But we didn’t.</blockquote>
The Republican Chairman's defense boils down to the fact that they could've suppressed even more voters than they did. Beyond that Mr. Shalleck’s friends in the Montgomery County GOP put out a near incoherent <a href="http://mcgop.com/2015/09/27/support-our-board-of-elections-team/" target="_blank">statement </a>of support spreading falsehoods - asserting that the Praisner site is “heavily used by residents of PG County” (<a href="http://www.elections.state.md.us/laws_and_regs/documents/2014%20Maryland%20Election%20Law.pdf" target="_blank">unlikely per Maryland Election Law §3–305</a>) or that Republicans are “making the early voting process more convenient” (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4303+Regalwood+Terrace,+Burtonsville,+MD+20866/Longwood+Community+Center,+Georgia+Avenue,+Brookeville,+MD/@39.0976012,-77.0693768,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7db607bcf59df:0xfac547d05f68e89d!2m2!1d-76.920595!2d39.098718!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7d12afeb6184b:0xe06a99840ed36b2a!2m2!1d-77.0610677!2d39.1746979!2m4!2b1!6e1!7e2!8j1444678200!3e3!5i3" target="_blank">tell that to the Burtonsville voters who has to take a 2 hour one-way bus ride to register to vote or cast a ballot</a>).<br />
<br />
<b><u>EARLY VOTING WORKS WELL FOR MINORITIES AND LOW-INCOME VOTERS</u></b>: <i>The Washington Post’s</i> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2014/09/30/why-early-voting-is-about-so-much-more-than-convenience/" target="_blank">Emily Badger makes a persuasive economic case</a> about why early voting is important to minorities and low-income voters (<i>excerpt below, emphasis mine</i>)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<u><b>WASHINGTON POST</b></u>: Early
voting is intimately bound up in race, not simply because minorities
are more likely to take advantage of it, but because the <b>policy itself addresses systemic barriers they face</b>.
When we decide to vote, we're not simply making a calculation about
whether we like the candidates, or care about the issues at stake, or
value the abstract idea of democracy. We also have to make calculations
about how to get to the polls, whether we can spare the time to go
there, and who will watch the kids while we're gone. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>These costs associated with voting — in lost pay, in childcare, in transit fares — are higher for minorities and the poor</b>. Which is why they are among the largest beneficiaries of early, flexible voting.</blockquote>
<br />
Act now to stop the Maryland Republicans' voter suppression efforts:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/ask-state-board-of-elections-to-reverse-local-decision-to-eliminate-east-county-early-voting-site"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STEP 1: SIGN PETITION TO REVERSE </span></b></a><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.change.org/p/ask-state-board-of-elections-to-reverse-local-decision-to-eliminate-east-county-early-voting-site">EARLY VOTING CHANGES</a> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="mailto:info.sbe@maryland.gov"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STEP 2: E-MAIL MARYLAND'S </span></b></a><br />
<a href="mailto:info.sbe@maryland.gov"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS</span></b></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1