Hello, my name is John King and I am campaigning for governor of Maryland.

My life is proof of the positive difference that public schools and public institutions can make in people’s lives. I lost both of my parents by the time I was 12. Like many kids who have experienced trauma, I struggled, and in my junior year I was kicked out of high school. But, because of some amazing educators that invested in me and gave me a second chance, I would go on to not only become a teacher and a principal but the U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama.

As a teacher, you learn to listen to your students and focus on their development as whole people, and it is time that Maryland had a teacher as governor. We need a leader who will focus on ensuring a growing economy and tackling the real systemic inequalities that exist not only in public education, but also in health care, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system, that keep real opportunity out of the hands of too many Marylanders.

Amazing educators and strong public institutions gave me real opportunity in my life. Now, I am running for governor to make sure all Marylanders have those same opportunities. Will you chip in $5, $25, $50 or whatever you can afford to help jumpstart this campaign?

My wife, daughters, and I love living in Maryland, and my roots run deep in both the best and most challenging parts of Maryland’s history. Today, my family lives 25 miles from where my great-grandfather was enslaved on a property in Gaithersburg that is still owned by the descendants of the family that “owned” my family. But just one generation later, in 1894, my grandmother was among the earliest graduates of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This history of both inequality and progress is still very much alive today in Maryland. I hope to be our first Black and Puerto Rican governor of Maryland and to move our state forward on a path of progress.

My campaign will rely entirely on grassroots support, which means people like you will be fundamental to building our movement. Will you chip in $10 now to help us kick off this campaign strong?

I’m thrilled to be in this race, fighting for change in the state I call home. Please, join me in this campaign to ensure that opportunity is possible for every Marylander.

With appreciation,

John King, Democratic Candidate for Governor of Maryland