US Senate Race in Maryland: Will Jawando

(Baltimore, MD) Before arriving at a forum, featuring a Democratic Candidate for United States Senate, Will Jawando from Montgomery County, I see a note announcing Representative Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County will not seek the seat vacated by Sen. Ben Cardin.

“It’s a big day for us. A lot of his voters were my voters.” A number of voters were hesitant to support Jawando. This is not uncommon, especially because it’s early, and those who are eligible to vote don’t know much about the race, “We’re kinda waiting to see what Jamie’s gonna do.” Things have changed since his exit.

“When I leave here, I’m going to be calling them all day.” For the Montgomery Council Member, he now needs those who were on the fence to make a decision, “So here we are.”

Several things come into play with  Congressman Raskin not in the race. With his absence,  Candidate Jawando hopes to see more money come into the race. In a pronouncement that will not shock anyone, “I’m the only bold progressive candidate in this race.”

“As you know, I use to work in the Obama Administration,” the Democratic proudly proclaims. He isn’t the only person who worked for the 44^th President. During Governor Wes Moore’s primary run there were at least four people who boasted claims to working with the former President. Let me tell you how that worked out, none them bested the eventually nominee.

What this tells me is you have to have a track record which sews together the state’s Democratic Party constituents.

From Montgomery there are a mixture of old residents (who are dyed in the wool Democrats – think – those living in Leisure Village).

There is also an energic Jewish community with ties to former jobs in the federal government. They extend from inside the Beltway along the I-270 corridor, stretching from Rockville to Olney. 

The toughest electorate to peg are those in the Potomac region, commonly known as Mac-Mansionville. They can fund a campaign and give you entry into wealth. How do I know? A number of families have hosted fund-raisers in their homes for President Joe Biden.

People have made fortunes in Montgomery County speculating on land, construction, and development. They are the drivers of campaign funds in suburban Washington, D.C. They are unabashed in their desire to keep funds following from the County, State and the Federal Government.

The newest player, ethnic minorities from Latin America, India, Pakistan, Africa (Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrean etc.…) and Mediterranean Countries. They are unique. Most are first generation arrivals who are self-made. They thrive in the tech areas. Some have advanced degrees and came into their own in the last ten years. You will pass them on the Metro and think nothing of them.

“I am the only candidate in this race who has garnered the most votes (than my rivals),” says Jawando. The claim was made before a group of Black Baltimore men on a Saturday morning at the Next Phaze Café, a Black owned establishment.

“This race is going to be won in the Baltimore region (city and county),” says the candidate. The thirty men assembled nod in approval. “You know we’ve heard this before from candidates,” says Michael Johnson, the host of “Straight No Chaser” on WBFF Fox 45. “We see funds flowing from the federal government, but they never reach us,” as he host chides the presenter.  

“Look, as a Senator I can make sure federal funds get to communities. I can’t tell someone like the Mayor how to spend those dollars…but I can look over their shoulder to ask how they are  being allocated.” A politically sophisticated way to placate those who are looking for answers.

The fifth year Montgomery County Councilman lays out what he’s done. “Guaranteed income for those who qualify…creating the largest summer jobs program…and putting a cap on rents.” The last one he says has lost him some developer support. “But I still talk to them.”

There is much support from this group about his proposal to term limit Justices of the Supreme Court and consideration of expanding the number of members on highest court in the land. When it comes to reparations, he says he is not opposed to the idea on the federal level. He points out what’s going on in California. “Here, I’m planning to introduce a reparations study in Montgomery County.

Juggernaut

Juwando, who is biracial faces long odds with Congressman David Throne and Princess George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in the race.

Congressman Trone who has financed his own two congressional runs was the first up with campaign ads. It was introduction of sorts touting what he did to help a relative who was addicted to drugs. “I want to do the same thing for Baltimore,” was the tag line. Noting, the Baltimore Metro Area is where this race is likely to be decided. He’s already sunk more than a million dollars in ads.

County Executive Alsobrooks, the soft but steady hand leading Prince George’s County is in a unique position. The former Prosecutor turned County Executive easily cruised to re-election. On election night in Baltimore, I did ask her if she would run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. “Charles, I just won re-election!”

Fast-forward, here she is with her “hat in the ring.” If elected she would become only the third woman (Sen. Barbara Milkuski and Representative Connie Morella) to serve in the Maryland Congressional Delegation.

Democrat women will tell you they have delivered for the party, but there has been little reciprocation from the electorate to put them in statewide office on either side of the aisle. The why is a lot more complicated than it would seem from the outside.

The first is fundraising. A U.S. Senate race is likely to cost more than 10 million dollars. If you don’t have that kind of personal wealth, then you have to find causes which will net you dollars.

For Alsobrooks, she comes at a time when the state’s Governor Wes Moore, literally, owes her for support. Prince Georges County rang up the most votes for Governor Moore. Alsobrooks also served on his transition team. In politics, this is called payback. I think in the primary, I expect the Governor to open his rolodex and suggest she call a number of his “special friends.”

Alsobrooks is likely to get looks from national organizations with ties to women’s issues such as Planned Parenthood, NOW, and Moms Demand Action, just to name a few.

For the last two Maryland U.S. Senate races, women who have “thrown the hat in the ring” have not done well. The most recent is former Congresswomen Donna Edwards. Congresswoman Edwards kept being sullied by a rumor she had supported groups who were against Israel. It doomed any chance she could succeed. 

There is a sense in the electorate that “we want someone like ‘Sen. Milkuski.’” Her brashness endeared her to a generation of women who had to “kick-down” doors just to be heard. Is County Executive Alsobrooks up to a similar task?

This is way too early to speculate. I will watch as these candidates hone their message.

I’m still waiting to see who will jump into the race on the Republican side.

CFR3

Context, Time and Place

 (Annapolis, MD) The inauguration of the first African-American Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, is the culmination of struggle, desires and purpose. I watched with anticipation as he put his hand on a Bible, once the possession of Frederick Douglass and another which his grandfather, a pastor, used. This was deliberate. Governor Moore has never shied away from his religious convictions, nor has he shied away from the historical moment.

How do you challenge yourself to remember the past, but chart the future? It isn’t easy. Some would like this only Black governor to keep, “the past in the past.” This is not in his nature. I witnessed it personally. Make no mistake this is not his make-up. The Governor gets his energy from looking to future. He warned during his inaugural speech, “there will be naysayers.” Beating back those who doubt his authenticity underestimate his resolve.

There is a lot symbolism with context, timing, and place.

Context

There is a painting which shows the second Lord Baltimore with a map of Maryland and a nephew who he assumed would lead the state. In the dark recesses of the painting is an enslaved young man (a man servant) holding a rooster. It says a lot that a painter would include this. As the Governor begins the process of taking office he walks pass the painting.

Timing

Walking down Main Street with his family to the City Docks must have seemed surreal. There is a monument dedicated to Alex Haley, the author of Roots. It is here where Haley chronicled his relative, “Kunte Kinte.” The timing spoke to the hundreds of enslaved people who were marched through Annapolis, who were sent to Landowners/Planters in the new world, and never knew what it meant to be free.

Place

There is a town near where Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass were enslaved. It’s on Maryland’s eastern shore it’s called Unionville. It was created by slaves who joined the Union army.  “Southern sympathizers” never imagined these former enslaved people would take up arms to fight against the Confederacy. It was a sore spot for those who lost in the Civil War. At the church in Unionville, there is a cemetery where these soldiers are buried.

Despite being free, the county seat placed a statue of a confederate soldier on the courthouse steps. It was done intentionally, they wanted to send a message. It was a part of a time called the “Lost Cause.” Unionville and those souls buried are restless. They would never see nor dream of a day when there would be a Black Governor. In this place, time waited and served notice their cause was not in vein.

Context

President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 upon meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, said, she was "the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war (Civil War)." I know neither Lincoln nor Stowe would have envisioned a Black man would lead Maryland.

Timing

It may be convenient to find fault in policy changes. Former Governor Larry Hogan provided some advice to the incoming administration. Hogan said it would be “a mistake” for the legislature to “recklessly spend down the surplus” and undermine Maryland’s “strong fiscal position.” It seems “rich” to make pronouncements and be taken seriously. FYI, the 2024 Budget proposed by the new Governor like previous Governors funds the things they championed (Schools and Transportation). Governor Moore stuck with a similar plan to add 10% of the budget coffers to “The Rainy-Day Fund.” Business as usual is flipped.

Place

Annapolis will become a focal point in the state. Each move by the new governor will be scrutinized. When you cover politics there are no straight lines. The thing I will watch is how the Moore administration manages the missteps and recovers. This administration will find it’s “sea legs” as they navigate waters. There are no favorites, despite suggestions to the contrary. Holding an administration accountable is what I have always done. My tough questions should not be construed as “hate-in” on the Governor. Accountability.

 

 

First Black Attorney General of Maryland

(Annapolis, MD) Maryland has had a difficult time in rectifying its brutal history with slavery, civil rights and school desegregation. Those images are now relics of the pass as Attorney General Anthony G. Brown was sworn-in as the 47^th Attorney General. The historic moment came in the House of Delegates Chambers. The presiding officer is the first American-American Woman, Speaker Adrienne Jones,

A who’s in Maryland Politics was on hand. It included a number of past Attorney Generals, Legislative Leaders and a sage of Maryland Politics Professor Larry Gibson.

Attorney General Brown served in the House of Delegates before being picked by Governor Martin O’Malley tapped him to become his Lieutenant Governor.

Administering the oath was Governor Larry Hogan. Governor Hogan defeated Brown in his attempt to become Governor. In remarks A.G. Brown “I told ‘Larry’ you’re the reason why I am here.”

The pair have had mutual affection. The current Governor talked about how the pair walked in the chamber together following Hogan's victory during his first term, “it was incredible gracious thing to do.” The Governor knew the importance of the moment, because he had to leave to swear-in in his daughter in St. Mary’s County as the States Attorney.

To introduce the A.G. was the Governor-Elect Wes Moore. “I think I like this guy,” says Moore. Twenty years ago Moore’s girlfriend/now his wife Dawn, tells him, “He’s a yardy.” A Jamaican term "you already know." Their combine Jamaican ancestry  was just one of several similarities. They both served in Afghanistan. Moore assessed what kind of Attorney General he will be. The Governor opined the new state's attorney will be “someone, who everyday he wakes up fighting for those who need and deserves a chance…Justice is a verb. It’s not just a thing. It’s something we actively fight for. And progress is not an evitability.”

As Moore gave way to Brown, there were a lot of Thank Yous. He noted the historic moment becoming the first African-American elected to be Attorney General of Maryland. Brown pointed to the men and women in the balcony and on the floor of the House Delegates. These were Brian Frosh’s (the previous Attorney Generals) minions who took on a number of tough cases.

Brown knows he will have big shoes to fill. “Given the position of trust we hold, we must provide advice not only on purely legal questions, but also on the critical areas where law and policy intersect, which will have profound and far-reaching effects on the lives of all Marylanders.”

He spoke of partnerships with law enforcement. “I reject the idea that keeping our communities safe and pursuing ethical policing are somehow mutually exclusive,” he said. “We can and we will do both.”

Zenith Wickham Hurley

Brown talked a lot equity and inclusion. To make the point he reinforce he will put more resources into the newly created Office of Equity, Policy and Engagement to be headed by Zenith Wickham Hurley. It identifies and helps to execute innovative strategies to advance OEPE goals and priorities 

“The bar has been raised,” according to the new Attorney General, “and we must rise to the challenge.”

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