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Progressive Neighbors Update – May 2023

Dear Friends,
Election Day is only a month away.  Early voting starts on October 27^th and runs through November 3^rd.  Most of the races are not close or contested but there are several races that could result in upsets.  The main priority is electing a Democratic Governor, e.g. Wes Moore.  The past two cycles were disasters.  Hogan’s vetoes have delayed protections and rights for many Marylanders.  We can’t take a chance.  There needs to be a big turnout for Moore and every other democrat running up and down the ballot.  The race for comptroller is tightening and we need Brooke Lierman as our next Comptroller, especially since she will sit on the Board of Public Works. 
 
The county council, if we all turn out, could elect a majority of women for the first time.  Many of them are clearly progressives that we at Progressive Neighbors supported like Kristin Mink, Kate Stewart and Laurie-Ann Sayles).  The progressive wing of the council has definitely expanded, though it still constitutes a minority of the council.

We have stayed busy though during the interim supporting progressive legislation.  We supported the Child Victims Act of 2023 in the legislature to eliminate the statute of limitations for child sex abuse (HB 001).  We submitted testimony in support of the HOME Act which would cap rent increases in the county at 3%.  And we submitted testimony in support of the STEP Act (Bill 12-23) to limit traffic stops by police for minor traffic offenses.

Rockville City Council has elections coming up this fall and our friend Zola Shaw has thrown her hat in the ring.  Check out her website for events and to make donations.  We’re looking forward to working on her campaign over the next few months and electing a true progressive to that City Council.

With the retirement of Senator Ben Cardin we believe there is a window of opportunity as several openings are being created by politicians choosing to run for Senate (a once in several decades opening).  Currently Congressman David Trone, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando have entered the race.  If Congressman Jamie Raskin decides to run for Senate, numerous people will be running for his seat.  The Maryland primary is one year away (May 14, 2024).  A lot can happen in one year, but we see a lot of work ahead of us and a busy election season in 2024.  Stay tuned.