I wouldn’t be where I am today without second chances. Thanks to the power of public institutions and the positive influence of public servants, I was the first U.S. Secretary of Education to get kicked out of high school. I hope I will not be the last.

Let me tell you a bit more about my story and how my challenging upbringing did not prevent me from reaching my full potential.

My mother passed away in October of my fourth-grade year when I was just 8. I then lived with my father, who struggled with undiagnosed Alzheimer’s, and when I was 12, my father passed away as well.

As a teenager, I was angry at life’s circumstances – like many kids who have experienced trauma at an early age. This anger caused me to act out, and I got in trouble so often that I eventually got kicked out of high school in my junior year.

But while many could have seen a young Black and Puerto Rican kid whose life was in crisis and wrote me off, phenomenal public school teachers, mentors, and a school counselor believed in me and gave me a second chance.

School genuinely saved my life. It was the very educators who changed the trajectory of my childhood who also inspired me to become a teacher myself. Because of them and the foundation they provided me, I served as the 10th U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama.

Together, we can build a Maryland where every young person can have the opportunity to succeed. I want all young people, no matter where they grew up or what resources their families have, to reach their full potential.

But to do that, we must install new leadership in our state. I am running for governor because as a lifelong educator, I will lead by listening and create seats at the table for those who have too often been ignored.

But I need your help to win this race. If you’re able, will you support our campaign with a contribution today? Every dollar goes a long way in strengthening our movement for progressive change.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support,

John B. King