John,

When I led soldiers in combat in Afghanistan as a Captain in the U.S. Army, we lived by a principle: Leave no one behind.

The principle that drove our campaign and grounds our administration — leave no one behind — is not a slogan. It’s personal.

Right now, too many Marylanders are being left behind. Unable to fill the gas tank or keep up with monthly bills. Feeling unsafe in their own communities, or with their children trapped in chronically underfunded schools.

Together, with Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and the state legislature, we're changing that.

It's why the 10 bills I introduced and successfully passed in my first 6 months as governor included:

• Restricting where people can carry guns – simply put, no one needs a gun at a preschool, a hospital, or Camden Yards (the NRA disagreed and sued us – I say bring it on)
   
• Improving banking access to low- and moderate-income communities
   
• Permanently extending the Earned Income Tax Credit and expanding the Child Tax Credit to reduce childhood poverty
   
• Raising the minimum wage to $15/hour in January 2024

This is what leave no one behind looks like.

John, I believe Maryland is the best state in America to live and raise a family, but to fulfill our potential, we must make sure all Marylanders have that opportunity at success.

I'm going to keep fighting every day to make that happen. And if you're committed to being in the fight too, I hope you'll join me by making a donation.

Elevate,

Wes