Dear Friend, Election season may have wrapped up last week, but we know the impact of these results will be felt for a long time to come. While we celebrate, we’re also fully aware of the work that lies ahead as we navigate this transformative moment in Maryland’s political landscape.
Progressive Maryland’s grassroots efforts delivered remarkable wins this cycle. From Angela Alsobrooks' historic election as the first Black Woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate to shaping Prince George’s County with a Progressive-majority school board, each victory is a testament to the dedication, unity, and strength of our movement. In Baltimore City, our coalition stood strong against the proposed reduction of City Council seats, defeating Question H and preserving the voice of Baltimore’s residents.
Through our Save the Senate campaign, we reached over 335,000 voters across the state, running the largest independent expenditure campaign in Maryland to ensure Alsobrooks’ success. This achievement is not only a reflection of our relentless organizing and advocacy but also of our belief in a Maryland where every voice counts, and every community has a champion.
Read on for a full recap of these victories, and click here to view a message from our Executive Director, Larry Stafford, where he addresses the election’s significance and our vision for the road ahead.
With fewer than 50 days left in 2024, we’re determined to finish the year strong. Let’s keep this momentum going as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of 2025! In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
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Here’s what’s in today’s memo: -
Quick Actions
- Election Recap
- Issue Campaign Updates
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State & National News
- PM Job Openings
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QUICK ACTIONS: 📢 Sign the Petition to Index the Minimum Wage in Prince George's County! 📢
We need your support to ensure that every Prince George’s County worker earns a wage that keeps up with the rising cost of living. The minimum wage indexing bill just passed unanimously out of committee. With a crucial public hearing on November 19th, we need to show the County Council that the community is behind this initiative.
Add your name to the petition today to help us secure fair wages for all! ✊
Sign Here
Every signature counts! Let’s make sure the council knows we’re standing together for economic justice and equity. |
In the 2024 election, Progressive Maryland’s grassroots efforts led to key victories, securing strong progressive leadership across Maryland: -
U.S. Senate Victory: Angela Alsobrooks’ historic win as the first Black Woman U.S. Senator from Maryland is a powerful example of the impact of grassroots organizing. Through our Save the Senate campaign, our volunteers reached over 335,000 voters, playing a pivotal role in this landmark achievement.
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Maryland’s 6th Congressional District: We’re thrilled to celebrate April McClain Delaney’s win in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Through nearly 20,000 voter contacts, our campaign emphasized her dedication to protecting reproductive rights, fostering economic opportunity, and promoting unity. This close race, with McClain Delaney winning by a margin of nearly 9,000 votes, was secured thanks to our powerful outreach across the district. By defeating right-wing opponent Neil Parrot, we ensured that Marylanders will have representation in Congress that aligns with their needs and values.
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Prince George’s County School Board Successes: Our endorsed candidates in Prince George’s County won decisive victories. Dr. Tiffini Andorful claimed her seat with a notable 30% increase in support, demonstrating the community’s strong alignment with her vision for schools. Phelton Moss secured a win in his race, advocating for educational excellence and mental health resources, and Shayla Adams-Stafford was re-elected to serve District 4, reinforcing her dedication to teacher retention and equity. With these wins, we helped establish a majority progressive school board in the county!
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Baltimore City Victories: Leadership remains solid in Baltimore City with all our endorsed candidates winning their races. Brandon Scott was re-elected as Mayor, and Progressive champions Mark Parker (District 1), James Torrence (District 7), Paris Gray (District 8), John Bullock (District 9), Zac Blanchard (District 11), Jermaine Jones (District 12), and Odette Ramos (District 14) won City Council seats. Additionally, our coalition led a successful fight to defeat Question H, protecting the City Council from a drastic reduction proposed by special interests.
- Reproductive Rights Victory: With the passage of Question 1, Maryland has enshrined reproductive rights in its constitution, protecting access to abortion and birth control for all residents. Progressive Maryland proudly supported this coalition effort to secure this essential step for reproductive freedom.
These victories are only the beginning. As we wrap up 2024, we’re committed to building on this momentum to create a Maryland where every community thrives. Stay tuned for future updates on our housing, environmental justice, and healthcare campaigns as we push forward to finish the year strong and prepare for the work ahead in 2025! |
Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Justice Campaign: Celebrating Maryland Victories and Getting Ready for Annapolis!
Our amazing Task Force leaders, supporters and local healthcare partners like the Leisure World Progressive Club showed up in a big way for the 2024 elections! Thanks to everyone who did door knocking, phone banking, voter registration work and poll canvassing. Two of our Task Force leaders wrote critical opinion pieces on Hogan’s real record on healthcare. They got wide circulation including a guest op-ed in the Baltimore Sun just before the election. We’re excited about the Alsobrooks Senate victory and about the outcome of critical Congressional races. Congratulations to all the new members who are headed to Washington!
Now we’re back to organizing for critical health insurance reforms we can push to pass here in Maryland. Help us decide the focus of our 2025 legislation in Annapolis–take the survey here.
We’ll be checking in with you in the coming days to see how you’re doing, to offer support, and ways to process the national election results. There are bright spots in places around the country and we’ll share round ups of those as we get them along with links to national calls about our next steps to fight MAGA. Email Patty for more info or if you would just like to talk.
Environmental Justice: EJTF Leaders go toe-to-toe with Question H
The Environmental Justice Task Force held a productive research meeting with Councilwoman Phylicia Porter at the Boys & Girls Club in Westport. EJTF leader Mikal Rashid led the meeting, where participants shared various ideas on increasing trash pickup and recycling. And in support of Senate President Bill Ferguson’s recent announcement (shared on October 18) stating that 2025 would be the year to end financial subsidies for incineration, Councilwoman Porter will soon introduce a council resolution calling on Maryland legislators to support the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (RREA).
Furthermore, for the EJTF’s final Day of Action in Democrat Angela Alsobrooks’ race against former Republican Governor Larry Hogan, EJTF leaders Imani Harvill, Zack Buster, and Aaron Knishkowy knocked on over 277 doors in Cherry Hill. Most community members, especially women, expressed concerns about abortion rights, which, based on Hogan’s veto record, do not align with his positions.
Then, on Election Day SirJames and EJTF leader Imani Harvill supported the “Baltimore City Not For Sale Coalition and went toe-to-toe with David Smith’s question H, which was a conservative agenda to strip representation from poorer communities in Baltimore by reducing city council seats from 14 to 8 seats. That chicanery failed miserably, and the over $400,000 spent by David smith went down the drain.
Meanwhile, for those of you that live in MOCO and would like to support our fight to end renewable energy credits in support of the wealth of incineration, the Montgomery County Delegation is holding a virtual legislative priority meeting next Monday, November 18 at 7pm. To support our cause, you would join the call and ask that the delegation make the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025 a legislative priority. If you would like to throw down with the EJTF please send our Environmental Justice Organizer, Sir James, an email here.
Lastly, the EJTF will be holding a follow-up meeting with councilwoman Porter and final EJTF community meeting to discuss tactics to secure a win for the RREA in the upcoming legislative session— so stay tuned! |
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Election Aftermath: Maryland girds for Trump presidency, frequent pushback
After a very discouraging national election outcome, Maryland progressives are rallying, minimizing their recuperative down-time to freshen up for the next struggle. The presence of Donald Trump, or at least a Trump-style regime, for four years is daunting but we have done this before. And if, as folks say, the Orange Menace knows more about making a mess of democracy than he knew the first time around -- well, we know more too.
But enough of that -- we need to join in solidarity with other states in the resistance effort and shape up a shadow government that will achieve our goals at every level and across sectors.
It won't be long before the all-too-many who bought into the MAGA fantasy find out that it's the corporate billionaires, not working people, who will reap the rewards. We need to be ready to welcome them back as they catch on to the grift. Get the information you need for the struggle in News You Can Use. |
Don't forget to follow us on social media! |
Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
United States
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