The Restlessness

(Baltimore, MD) The wave of voter restlessness struck Maryland by rejecting a well-respected Prince George’s County Executive in favor of a former Civil Rights leader. Say what you will about a crowded Democratic field but Ben Jealous, the former NAACP Leader, was able to mobilize his base and found much needed campaign funds outside of Maryland to get out the gate first and get up on television before he could be defined.  The "wave election" has sweep in progressives and candidates with political pedigrees are out. Jealous touted his leadership credentials at the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, efforts to remove the death penalty and approved gay marriage in the state.

The victory was almost overshadowed by election problems in Baltimore City where several polling locations didn’t open on time. An emergency order by a judge allowed polls to stay open until 9 pm. The other major snafu was the Department of Motor Vehicle Department (MVA) not updating its system to the Board of Elections. It’s estimated this may affected as many as 80,000 voters. “The leadership of the Motor Vehicle Administration and the Board of Elections must immediately demonstrate that they have the capacity to accurately explain the size and impact of the problem and fix this violation of the public trust or they must make room for leaders who are able to restore confidence in Maryland elections,” said Rev. Kobi Little, a spokesman for the NAACP's Maryland State Conference President, Gerald Stansbury.” The investigation is expected to begin next week ensuring there isn’t a re-occurrence during the General Election.

The story of this election was about the rejection of those who have served to long. Not only did it affect the governor’s race but it spilled into the Maryland Senate race in Baltimore and other parts of the state. Out are Maryland Senators Nathaniel McFadden, Barbara Robinson, and Joan Carter Conway to name some in the upper chamber. In the lower chamber, the House of Delegates, longtime Judiciary Chairman Joseph Vallerio was defeated in Southern Maryland. 

Jealous, if he wins, would become the first Black governor of the state of Maryland. Appealing to racial solidarity in the “old line state,” has its positives and dangers. For the positive, it would send a unique signal that old style politics in the state have outlived its usefulness. Party bosses will not dictate this elections outcome. It is likely to energize young voters who want a seat at the table. Lastly, there will not be a lethargic electorate which helped to suppress voting totals in traditional strongholds for Democrats. I already know that Sundays will be spent in churches, a place where Jealous is very comfortable.

The danger for the Civil Rights leader is being defined by Governor Larry Hogan who easily won his primary because he had no challenger. “It isn’t about them…it’s about a referendum on the job we’re doing,” said Hogan. It didn’t take long for the Governor’s supporters to begin to strike back. It began with a press release from the Republican Governor’s Association.

“Ben Jealous’ radical views make him unfit to serve as governor,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Ben Jealous is promising to systematically undo all of the progress Maryland has made over the past four years by hiking taxes to never-before-seen levels in order to fund his radical pie-in-the-sky spending plans. Voters will reject Jealous’ ill-conceived plans this November and keep Maryland on its current path of more jobs, a stronger economy and better schools.”

A second press release came from a former Democratic Committee Chairman.

Democratic Party Chairman Nate Landow in response to Ben Jealous winning the Democratic primary election for governor:

“It is imperative that Democratic voters who value moderation, fiscal responsibility and functional government support Governor Larry Hogan in the general election. His record of sensible, bipartisan reform and his genuine decency is the antidote for what ails our politics today. He stands in stark contrast to the irresponsible and extreme ideas of Ben Jealous.”

These are coded words and issues. The Root writer, Damon Young, who writes under the section of “VerySmartBrothas,” pointed this out in his recent column called, “30 Ways White People Say Black People Without Actually Saying Black People..” Here are a couple of observations we’re likely to hear; “high crime neighborhood, gang related, and depressed neighborhood/school/people/population.

“We talked with the people,” said Jealous who held his victory celebration at the Reginald Lewis Museum of Maryland of African-American History and Culture. He continued to point out his difference with the governor and welcomed the opportunity to litigate his case to the voters of Maryland.  “I’m running to the people of Maryland.”

The Next Steps

Raising Money, is paramount. Governor Hogan has at least 9 million dollars in cash on hand for the general election. Conversely, Jealous is reportedly down to about $100,000. To reverse this trend there are several unity events scheduled to coalesce the losers with the Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee. It includes the arrival of former Vice President Joe Biden this weekend for a fundraiser. Like the primary, I’m expecting to see a number of early supporters for Jealous. Including U.S. Senators Corey Booker (NJ), Sen. Kamala Harris (California), and Sen. Bernie Saunders (VT). They’ve already made their presence known and I expect them to double down on this early bet. Celebrity wise, comedian, Dave Chappelle has appeared and he is likely to convince others to get on the train.

I don’t know how many debates we’re likely to see but it should be spirited. I can tell you having only two people on a stage will allow questioners to drill down on issues you can’t get with a large field.  As a fly on the wall, I'd love to hear both candidates working on their one liners and sharpen their attack.

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