The Judge Decides

It's been a while since I've signed in here because it's been hectic.

Judge Barry Williams

One the stories that has gripped Maryland, and the nation is the Freddie Gray Trials of the police officers. Officer William Porters trial ended in a hung jury (he'll be retried). That won't be the case for Officer Edward Nero (one of the white officers) charged in the case. Its taken two weeks and tomorrow Judge Barry Williams will decide his fate. Police are on standby, but I don't think there will be any disturbances. Normally you've find my material on Ebony.com, but a lot went on this week. So here are my observations.

(Baltimore, MD) The fate of Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero is in the hands of Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams. Officer Nero, a bike cop, was one of two policemen who chased Freddie Gray. The apprehension of Gray set in motion events which would lead to his death.

Officer Nero is charged with second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and two counts of misconduct in office. The Prosecution paints a narrative where the actions of Nero weren’t warranted. Conversely, the Defense sees a policeman doing his job which does not rise to a crime. For the last two weeks each side has put on experts with intimate knowledge about police policy and procedures.

Atty. Marc Zayon and Off. Edward Nero

Several facts were agreed to by all parties. The area where the Gray was chased was a known drug area. Officer training includes General Orders. The police department conducted an audit to see if officers were seat belting suspects. While these were areas of agreements challenges went back and forth.

The Witnesses

State's Attorney Michael Schatzow strategy started with what can be described as “show and tell.” Armed with CCTV video surveillance footage Prosecutor Schatzow paraded police officers and experts to explain what they were seeing and hearing. The footage shows the initial stop where Gray is cornered by police. It also shows the second stop where police removed metal cuffs replacing them with plastic cuffs and leg irons.

A separate video was shown where a police recruit in civilian clothes is taken through an arrest. He appears to be same height and weight of Gray. Police explain they want to demonstrate an arrest using a police van. We see him placed in hand cuffs and lead into the van. He slides along the bench without a seat belt. He is then asked lay face down on the floor and try to get up on his own. It takes him several minutes for him to do so.

This video didn’t play well with court observer Baltimore NAACP President Tessa Hill-Alston, “Freddie was injured when he was put in that van. He couldn’t have done the things demonstrated that the cadet did.” Despite her protest this case will be decided by the judge and not emotion.   

The highlight of the trial was the testimony of Nero’s partner, fellow Bike Officer Garrett Miller. Miller was compelled to testify and granted immunity. It’s the first time Maryland has allowed a defendant who is facing trail in a similar case to be deposed on the stand.

Officer Miller revealed several items during his testimony. According to the bike officer he executed the arrest of Gray. Placing him in handcuffs during the first stop. At the second stop he tells the judge he removes the metal cuffs from his hands and replaces them with plastic cuffs. Miller also places Gray in leg irons.   During questioning Officer Miller says, all Nero did was assist in putting Gray in the van by lifting his feet.

We also learn for the first time why no one questioned the need for a chase on the radio. According to the bike officer, no one questioned the foot chase because they were “keeping the key clear.” A reference to not talking over one another on the radio.

Lastly, though we never heard from Nero on the stand, we heard his voice during an interrogation by Detective Michael Boyd. We hear Nero describe events. What was telling, he constantly uses the term “we.” The prosecution points to this assistance in the arrest suggesting he was more than a passive bystander.

Defense Attorney Marc Zayon used a number of former and current police officers to drive home the point many of the procedures used by Officer Nero were “standard operating procedures.” Former Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Chief Tenecky Longo, Jr. was asked to explain Baltimore Police Department Training which he conducted for 18 years. He talked about General Orders and officers given discretion while in the field.  

Sergeant Robert Himes, who trained Nero on using his mountain bike, drove home the point “he never belted a prisoner in a van.” This was a repetitive mantra from a number of policemen who took the stand.

Michelle Martin, Maryland Assistant Attorney General, was the only non-police officer called by the defense. Prior to her appoint to her current position she taught legal classes to police recruits. The defense focused in on so call “Terry stops.” This refers to a legal case from 1968, Terry v. Ohio. In this case police can detained an individual without probable cause. There are now rules as to how long you can detain an individual without charging them with a crime, what kinds of information you need to collect during this stop, and if it violates 4^th Amendment.

Martin describes a “Terry stop” as a brief encounter on a suspicion of a crime being committed. She tells the judge recruits were tested on the stops.

The Judge

Officer Nero’s decision to ask for a “bench trial” rather than a jury trial received mixed reviews. Defense Attorney Warren Brown said, “I think it favors the prosecution theoretically, because you only have to convince one person beyond a reasonable doubt.” University of Maryland Law Professor Douglass Colbert sees it differently especially in the case of police officer, “the strategy of choosing a judge has proven to be a tried and true successful strategy.”

Inside the courtroom, the dual role Judge Williams plays was especially telling during closing arguments. Normally, each side lays out their case without challenge. That was not the case in this closing. The Judge peppered each side on the facts in the case. It frustrated the attorneys, who were under a time limit. He did allow them to extend their remarks because of the questions.

State Prosecutor Janice Bledsoe came under scrutiny over the assault charge. “When does the assault begin?” The judge asks. She wasn’t prepared but eventually answered. The question from the Judge which stumped Bledsoe was “Is it a crime when there is an arrest and no probable cause?” The prosecutor wanted to shift attention from the question because police make a number of arrest without cause. Reluctantly, she says, “yes.”

Freddie Gray in Shock Trauma Unit

Defense Attorney Zayon wasn’t immune from the judge’s scrutiny. He was arguing the need for discretion on the part of police officers when Judge William’s interjected. “They (police officers) are supposed to follow General Officers?” Zayon was also reluctant to say, “Yes.”

The judge also took issue with defenses idea why seat belts are needed for prisoners in vans. The judge wonders out loud, if there isn’t a need for seat belts “isn’t that reckless endangerment?” The defense disagrees.

Unlike a jury, the Judge knows the law and will apply it in this case. Some observers believe the delay in the verdict until Monday is a direct result of the running of the Preakness Horse Race where law enforcement officials are on high alert. Monday, Sheriff’s deputies will cordoned off the area around the courthouse keeping protesters away as Baltimore and the nation await the verdict in this case.

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And then it was gone

(Annapolis) Armed with a series of poster boards, the House Appropriations Chairman Maggie McIntosh proclaimed, “We have closed the structural deficit.” It was a victory lap of sort for legislative leaders who had to endure complaints of “business as unusual” from the states Chief Executive.

The structural deficit came from a series of issues. They included overspending, mandates on programmatic activities, an under-funded pension fund and an economic climate where people were tightening their belts. These issues partly laid the ground work for a Republican Governor to win in Maryland in 2014. With one party controlling the Executive branch and another controlling the legislative controls the “kumba-ya moment” which seem to begin this process went “south” quickly.  

 When last we left the Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and the Legislative Leaders (Sen. Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker Michael Bush) following the 2015 session was in the review mirror with both sides claiming victory. Underneath the pleasantries was an animosity about being up staged.

The Governor provided two supplemental budgets. He was pissed they never got a hearing on either side of the aisle. He went against the wishes of his partners in the legislature by deriding the savings they found. Instead of taking the extra money and use to shore of education funding, he used it to firm up the State Pension program.

The legislative Leaders did do the heavy lifting by cutting and trimming programs to get to a balance budget. They took aim at the Governor Hogan’s cuts to education. They restored the cuts but, also found money to fund the Geographic Index -GCEI (this is part of the Thornton Funding plan which gave large jurisdictions more money).

In the waning days of the 2015 Session the Legislature heard the governor wasn’t going to put in money for GCEI. They in turn put in a measure which said if you don’t fund GCEI this year, going forward it would become a mandate. The irony here is that Democratic and Republican governors have used discretion in funding this program (some have even decided not to fund it in lean years). So as of July 1, 2015 this becomes a mandate.

Spinning the Debate

“Halloween is over,” said Senator Richard Madeleno of Montgomery County as he stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Democrats crowing there success. The mantra from the legislature has been to add the extra money they found to improve school systems. Despite these calls, the Governor has been reluctant to acquiesce to the request.

“Who do you stand for?” President Miller asked rhetorically. In response, Doug Mayer the Deputy Communications for the Governor, had his own questions. “As both Senate President Miller and Speaker Busch know, Maryland is still facing a nearly $1 billion cumulative deficit over the next five years. On top of that, there is a $20 billion hole in the teacher and state employee pension system that the General Assembly has repeatedly failed to address.”

Going into the 2016 Session the wars of Budget will continue to be fought. The Hogan Administration often touts its “funding of education at record levels” (because of formulas adjusting for an increase in the number of students – each year will be more than the previous year.). The Democrats crow their ability to make tough choices, find savings, and apply them to areas like education.

These are interesting times for both sides. Are we out of the woods finically? The State Treasurer and the Comptroller will suggest we aren’t. By the way they weren’t spared from being chided by Legislative leaders. Speaker Busch asked, “The Comptroller and the Treasurer to step up to the plate.”

We are two months from the start of the 2016 Legislative Session and budget is just one item to be hotly debated. According to Baltimore County Delegate Adrienne Jones there are some 500 Bills pre-filed, a record.

Del. Maggie McIntosh Announcing End to Structural Deficit

Old School to a T

(Baltimore) I think I became aware of Frank Conway, Sr. in the mid 70’s while waiting at the corner of Liberty Heights and Hilton Avenues for the number 51 bus. There screaming for attention was a

yellow banner with black lettering stretching nearly the entire length of his fence, “Elect Frank Conaway” It was a familiar banner every election season (changing offices he was seeking) and grew to include the entire Conaway clan. If you drove by at the appointed time you might see him waving and asking for your support.  On February 15, 2015 Frank Senior “went silently into that good night” never to emerge again to ask that we do more for the city he loved.

He is remember by his wife, his son and daughter, and extended family as the patriarch of a political family that rivaled the Mitchell’s. Their linkage to charm city was homegrown. Coming of age during a time when political power was denied to a Blacks.

The Emergence of Black Political Power in Baltimore

Frank Conaway, like many men of his time served in the military and took advantage of the GI Bill to get a degree from Morgan State College in 1960. He becomes a Math teacher at Booker T. Washington Junior High School.

These are heady times. The right vote in Baltimore comes in with a bang. Milton Allen becomes the cities first elected leader securing the position of State’s Attorney. The next big push is city council and the state house. Under the tutelage of William “Little Willie” and Victorine Adams they showed Conaway the ways of Metro Democratic Organization.  

The Metro Democratic Organization was different from the “Goon Squad.” Formed by Rev. Vernon Dobson, Larry Gibson, Clarence (Sr.) and Parren Mitchell, and several other community leaders this group was about planning Black political strategy. They used churches, the NAACP, Afro and a homogenized community centered near the Druid Hill Community.

Conversely, the Metro Democratic Organization was into patronage and helping those get jobs in city government. The group was about making change on the ground/street. No need for college degree to make change. For the high minded individuals Adams connection to unsavory characters was questioned. Make no mistake both groups were about bring change.

By 1970, Conaway used his connection to win a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates and eventually leading the Legislative Black Caucus. He would leave in 1975 but, returned in 1979.

During this period of inactivity he watched Harold Washington become Mayor of Chicago and that gave him "a renewed confidence in the political process." He would challenge Mayor William Donald Schaffer for his post. Conaway would drop out of the race.

During the 80’s Conaway seemed to constantly be under legal scrutiny. He beat back charges that his handing out of smoke detectors before an election was illegal. The Baltimore State Attorney also investigated charges about his skimming of insurance premiums turnout to be false.

Public service was a calling for the West Baltimore native. By 1988 he became the clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He would serve five terms. Between those terms he would run for Mayor of Baltimore.

Running for Mayor

Conaway would often boast he garnered more votes in the city than anyone else. He would put that to a test. In 2007, he challenged Mayor Martin O’Malley’s self-appointed successor Shelia Dixon. It was a crowded field (eight candidates)

Leading up to the primary (the de facto election for Mayor) there was talk of whittling the field. The top two candidates were Dixon and Councilman Keiffer Mitchell. According to reports Conaway initiated phone calls to convince some candidates to withdraw instead of splitting the vote. He was unsuccessful but, was convinced to support Mitchell. The date of the only televised debate was August 27, 2007 at Maryland Public Television.

I was on the panel with Jane Miller of WBAL TV to question the participants. Prior to the event, we go over areas we’d like to cover so we don’t repeat subjects. It was during this process we learned that Conaway may use this opportunity to endorse Mitchell. We were perplexed how it would be handled.

Jeff Salkin, the moderator, asked for opening statements from each candidate. When it was Conaway’s turn, he asked to make a statement. During his time he threw his support to Mitchell. Salkin then ask Conaway to step away from the podium and asked the other candidate to move over. The former candidate asked, “Are you throwing me off the debate?” “No, Mr. Conaway, you threw yourself off the debate,” says the moderator. It was a bizarre beginning to a debate.

This would not be the last time we would hear from Conaway as a Mayoral Candidate he reprises this role again in 2011. I ran into him during a radio interview and the guy who was dressed to the “nines” call me Mr. Robinson. I told him that wasn’t necessary. He pulled me to the side and wondered aloud, “Why the city would keep electing leaders who didn’t care about the city.” I couldn’t answer the question.

In December, I received word Frank Conaway was abandoning the Democratic Party. It seemed out of character but, as I looked back the issues surrounding him and the investigations of his family would make you question why stay in the Democratic Party. According to the political icon all I got "was a cold shoulder and the door." He would become the only Republican in a democratically controlled infra-structure in Baltimore.

Frank Conaway Sr. came of age during a time when some African-Americans were called “salt of earth.” They made their way when there were few options. He served his country and community in an honorable way. A true public servant in every sense of the work. “Rest well humble servant.”

Charles Robinson, III

The Early Vote

 Annapolis -

“Slow and steady,” has been the mantra of the day as I checked in on selected polling stations from Baltimore to Annapolis (with a stop in Columbia). There was one report of a booth which switched from Republican to Democrat (WBAL). It occurred in Baltimore City – the machine was pulled and an attendant made sure the vote was entered for the right candidate. Nicky Charleston of the State Board of Elections (SBE) says they recorded fewer than 30 machines with this switching problem. In the larger sense this is less than .001 of all the machines used in the state. Somehow this problem is not occurring with Democratic votes?

In past elections, some jurisdictions totals waited until they received all their totals before reporting to the SBE. Not the case this election. Once totals are reported (even if all the totals aren’t in) they will reported out. In past elections Baltimore City seem to have a big problem with its total, this jurisdiction will get partial results like the rest of the state.

So when will we see results the moment the polls close. The early vote totals, 8.31% of the eligible voters will be reported out. We may be able to ascertain who got their people out early.

Baltimore’s Write in Candidates

The long odds of Russell Neveradon and Shawn Tarrant winning were on full display at one of the city’s most popular precincts, Ashburton Elementary/Middle School. It’s at this polling station where politicians focus because of its consistent turnout numbers. Bellowing the need to write in Neveradon’s name is a poll work that encourages any and everyone to “Write in Neveradon.”

Standing next to her is a Tarrant surrogate who makes sure they get his literature. On cue, as I walk across the street is Baltimore City Councilman Nick Mosby, the husband of Marilyn Mosby, the Democrat running for State's Attorney. The political Democratic Duo is leaving nothing to chance, even a write in candidate.

The Electorate Mix

Early morning and midday might as well be senior’s hour. They come in vans and cars, taking up the handicap spots on every lot I visited. Many of these voters take the vote seriously. Conversely, at Wilde Lake High school I run into a young pair of voters. As they make their way to polling station they seem more interested who is being profiled at school than who they are going to vote for. It’s this collision of demographics which will become more pronounced as the day wears on.    

Election Eve

The Push

 (Arlington, Virginia) – They avoided the Maryland Health Exchange in the first debate but at News Channel 8 in Arlington, Virginia it was front and center. It was a “complete disaster” according to Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Larry Hogan. “We rolled up our selves and got it done” was the response from Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown. “You want to give this guy a promotion, says Hogan. Brown counters, it may have gone badly but the Democratic nominee was prepared to crow about 400,000 people signed up for the Health Exchange.

These are tried and tested quotes the campaigns love. If anything getting them off the talking points has been nearly impossible. The closest we get to being non-scripted is having each man calling the other by their first names. The name calling continued, “You lying about my record.”  “Your math doesn’t add up,” have been lobbed before.

This time there was a lot of pushing on the numbers. “You would cut 450 million dollars from school construction. That would gut the entire Montgomery County’s school construction,” says Lt. Governor Brown. “I don’t know where you got that number…all I asked for was to streamline government…we would never decrease school construction” countered Hogan. It almost became juvenile with each many man trying to one up each other.

There is one debate left and I’m as confused as the electorate. More importantly the race for Governor has not generated the excitement a race of this nature should create. Sure the “political junkies” are salivating for their opportunity to boast our guy one. Unfortunately, this is one of the winner take all battles that get Maryland political operatives “ginned up.” If you not a part of this class you’re likely hoping it ends soon. Trying to get through this clutter is mind-boggling.

Look here are some of the realities if Hogan wins he’ll have to work with Democratic majorities.  “Maybe we’ll find consensus and compromise,” says the Republican Gubernatorial Nominee. “I have a good working relationship with presiding officers,” counters Lt. Governor Brown. These are great talking points but they underlie several critical issues. The State Comptroller pointed out tax revenue is down and you will have to cut. This is reality.  Lastly, we aren’t in as bad shape as people say we are.

The Polls Tell Different Stories

On the eve of this debate the Baltimore Sun released a poll (http://www.baltimoresun.com/videogallery/81642382/Politics/Sun-Poll-Brown-shows-lead-over-Hogan) it shows while the race is tight Brown continues to have a 7 point lead. Prior to this poll the Washington Post Poll came to a similar conclusion (9 point lead). Early polls show the gap narrowing but, overall the leader was Brown. It showed the Hogan campaign had cut into what should be a “runaway race” for Brown.

There is even sometimes out of context polls taken in Maryland. Maryland Reporter (www.MarylandReporter.com) pointed out and instance in the CBS News/NY Times poll. Noting the bogus numbers, it showed a 17 point for the Lieutenant Governor. This spread was far outside what established polls reported (http://marylandreporter.com/2014/10/12/cbs-news-n-y-times-poll-has-bogus-numbers-for-md-again/).

The dagger however was the endorsement of Brown by the Washington Post. The Post called Lt. Governor Brown, “the more knowledgeable man and nimble politician.” In their selection they called Hogan’s economic plan “mush.” You can imagine this did not sit well with the Hogan campaign. Interesting this camp went after the messengers.

John Wagner who writes for the Post noted in a column, “Hogan also accused The Washington Posteditorial board of a “lack of journalistic integrity.” After the debate he charged News Channel 8 moderators with conducting “an interrogation.” Suggesting this was the conspiracy of “the liberal media.” Look I cut it straight down the line. A similar tone was expressed by RedStateMaryland.blogspot.com. Note to political operatives, whining is not a political strategy.

Turn Out

It’s clear this will not be Maryland’s finest hour when it comes to turn out. In an appearance on WEAA-FM I was joined by Barry Rascovar, Columnist for the Gazette, and Independent Political Consultant, Catalina Byrd. Rascovar rationalize what each man hopes from turnout. “Hogan needs big turnouts on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland…for Brown he has to get big numbers in Prince Georges, Montgomery, and Howard Counties.” He said Hogan hopes there is enough apathy in those counties which will make the race close.

I also surmised there is a fatigued factor with democrats in the state. A Goucher Poll showed if the current governor (Martin O’Malley) were allowed to run again, he wouldn’t win the state. All of these factors will play out in the waning days of the campaign. Expect more negative ads.

Pet Peeves

The post debate pressers are a combination of spin, political adjustment, and a chance to say you won. In the last two events after debates Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown has been a no show. At the first event there was Ken Ullman for the Democrats and a number legislators. Appreciated this effort but, where was the Lieutenant Governor? We saw him behind dark windows in an SUV. On cue, who emerges from behind close doors as these surrogates are begining to speak, Larry Hogan. What's his first  statement, "We won the debate." Look there is a new school of thoughts in Public Relations circles - control the message, limit exposure, shut off question before you get a tough one. Okay, you want to play this silly game let me suggest it's not our responsibility to cover you when the subject matter is less than newsworthy. FYI, a surrogate other than the Lieutenant Governor is a second hand source. I am not required to ask questions that hit your talking points. 

Can you hear me!!!!

  

They Meet on the Same Stage

(TV Hill) – The men who want to be the next Governor of the State of Maryland have largely been defined by political advertisements. The few chance encounters have been at forums where they have only brushed shoulders in passing (the Green Party Candidate has been a presence but, not really a factor).

WJZ-TV served as a backdrop for a debate cosponsored by Baltimore Sun. Within an hour Larry Hogan and Anthony Brown need to established their credentials where polls show there is a sizable undecided voter base (Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/post-poll-anthony-brown-leads-larry-hogan-by-9-points-in-maryland-governors-race/2014/10/06/46e2bf20-4d6e-11e4-8c24-487e92bc997b_story.html).

In politics there are several ways to do this, define yourself or be defined by your opponent. There is a sizable difference in money with Hogan the Republican nominee opting to use public financing.

If you’ve been near a television here’s what you know “Hogan will take away a woman’s right to choose…instead of paying for pre-K. Hogan will give corporate tax breaks to out of state businesses.

 

On the other side “they (O’Malley-Brown) haven’t met a tax they didn’t like…they even taxed the rain…more people have left the state.” These simple tag lines are nuanced and play to evils that each side have waged on ad wars.

Vic Carter of WJZ-TV and Andy Green of the Baltimore Sun were tasked to cut through the sound bites   It came during a question about the economy. The questioner pointed to a comment from the State Comptroller who suggested the state’s finances were not where they should be.and clear up the confusion. It wasn’t long after the opening that the two opponents wanted to one up each other.

Brown disagrees with the comptrollers assessment of the state’s economy. During the Hogan rebuttal the debate gets heated, “it’s not what people say but, what people do.” Brown responds forcefully, “let’s talk about your record…the only plan is your so call plan to streamline government, and it’s riddled with errors. The back and forth gets intense, but the moderators suggest it’s time to move.

For me this deserved to be flesh out. The "one-upmanship" has gone on too long. A lot of issues surrounding the topics covered taxes, K-12 education, the economy, the Chesapeake Bay, hand guns, immigration, gerrymandering, women and the Maryland business climate can give you predictable answers. Isn’t this about leadership and how you move the ship of state?

I’ll give you list of one liners which will be chronicled later. Let me say again this job is about leadership. Here are some questions each candidate needs to answer about dealing with tough issues: When do you feel it’s prudent to buck the party line? What’s the greatest predictor of your style of leadership, raising your finger to see if its popular or practical? You each have been in a role of follower, beyond the people you might put in your cabinet who are good sounding boards – i.e. religious leaders, business leaders, civic leaders or others etc… and why?

I won’t have a seat at anyone’s debate this go round. I’d love to have this questioned answered by both campaigns. “Each of you has had interesting things occurring in your life by the mates you have selected because you have had to blend families. What lessons have you learned in this process, are there any lessons from this that you would apply to leadership.

Let’s start with Mr. Hogan, your wife is of Asian descent, have people expressed surprise at your choice? Have you heard things that make you pause?

Mr. Brown, you’ve been through a divorce while in office – that must have been the most quiet in Prince George’s County – talk about how you dealt with your children when starting your new relationship and making it work?

These are very personal questions. I’m guessing this is not a polling question or an automatic staff response(it’s personal we’re not going to answer). Some may ask why go this route? It may seem personal but, this deals with adversity, leadership, and that thing we hope each man has – compassion.

Now for those one liners:

Hogan:

“I’m not a professional politician.”

“This is the largest exodus of taxpayers.”

Regarding the implementation pre-K education, “He doesn’t have a plan to pay for.”

“It’s not what people, but what people do.”

“We need to stop blaming farmers we’re going to push back,” regarding cleaning the Chesapeake Bay.

“(My) Commercials are positive, he chooses to distract.”

Regarding crime in the state…“Heroin is the number one problem…and Maryland is the leader.”

What do you like about your opponent, “spinning the numbers?”

“Women are concerned about the economy.”

Brown:

The choice, “do we favor those at the top.”

“There will be no new taxes under my administration.”

“Hogan wants a $300 million dollar tax giveaway.”

“Remember the Erhlich administration.”

“We agree just not on the facts.”

 “Let’s talk about your record…the only plan is your so call plan to streamline government. It’s riddled with errors.”

Regarding the Chesapeake Bay, “we stand in two different areas, you stand in the Susquehanna River.” Answering the charge the problem is the Conowingo Dam and debris in the Susquehanna River.

Regarding tone of the race – “I think it’s fair to show contrast.”

Immigration – “We will protect them.”

Crime – “We’ve driven down crime…you have to understand what’s working.”

What do you like about Republicans? – “The Chesapeake Restoration Program.”

 How do you help women? “Raise the minimum wage, make sure women are able to get protective orders and educational opportunities.”

“Marylanders do a have choice.”