PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Democrats Rally for Unity and Collective Victory in November General Election William J. Ford WI Staff Writer After some tough primary election races, Maryland Democrats sought to “kiss and make up” on Monday, Aug. 1 in a unified effort to win back the governor’s mansion in November’s general election. Former Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez, who came in second place in the gover-
nor’s race with slightly more than 19,000 votes, or 3%, stressed the importance of electing Wes Moore, former Del. Aruna Miller, Rep. Anthony Brown and Del. Brooke Lierman of Baltimore City. All four would mark firsts for Maryland: Moore as the first Black governor; Miller the first woman of color and first American Indian as lieutenant governor; Brown the first Black attorney general; and Lierman the first woman to serve as comptroller. “When we make history folks, it’s a big [expletive] deal,” Perez said to several hundred fellow Democrats at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. “To everybody who may have voted for someone else [and] may have voted for us, here’s what I’m here to say: get over it. It’s time to
5 Maryland Democrats hold signs and cheer at a rally Aug. 1 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer) 4 Maryland Democratic gubernatorial and lieutenant governor nominees Wes Moore and Aruna Miller hold hands during a rally Aug. 1 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
come together. It’s time to win.” The Maryland Democratic Party’s “All Blue In ‘22” rally focused on “unity” and “solidarity.” In addition, the participants encouraged voters to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election. The governor’s seat remains the coveted prize because the second, four-year term of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan expires in January. Although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state by a
5 House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (center) sits next to Wes Moore’s wife, Dawn, during a Maryland Democratic Party rally Aug. 1 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer) 3 Former Maryland Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez gives remarks Aug. 1 at a Maryland Democratic Party rally at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
12 AUGUST 4 - 10, 2022
ratio of 2-to-1, a Democrat hasn’t held the governor’s seat since former Gov. Martin O’Malley in January 2015. Five other gubernatorial candidates are slated to run for governor but the Democrats’ attention remains squarely on Republican Del. Dan Cox who received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Cox, an attorney, husband and father of 10 children, posted a placard Sunday on his Twitter page to outline some of his proposals that include: ending transgender indoctrination in schools; eliminating health and mask mandates; and funding the police to “establish law and order in Baltimore City.” The delegate, who represents portions of Carroll and Frederick counties, also posted a picture of Moore wearing a Maryland mask that suggested that if Moore were elected, he “will continue [President Joe] Biden’s failed economic policies and will continue the war on police and increased taxation via a carbon tax.” Moore, an author and former nonprofit executive, summarized himself Monday as someone who pledges his allegiance to God, family, the American flag “and the peo-
ple of Maryland.” “This is a Republican nominee who has pledged allegiance to Donald Trump,” he said. “This is not merely a choice between Democrats and Republicans. This is an election of two entirely different views of what our state and what our future should look like and who we will fight for.” Moore said his administration would ensure free universal pre-kindergarten for all children, accelerate the increase for a $15 minimum wage and provide additional support and resources for the state’s historically Black colleges and universities. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott summarized his Democratic Party against the Republican Party as “sane versus crazy.” “[Republicans’] brand of policies, their brand of hate, their brand of separation have no place in our state,” Scott said. “We want to beat
DEMOCRATS Page 13
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
