Friend,

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when I see injustice around me, I call it out. Just days after he led the Republican charge to block voting rights legislation in the Senate, Senator McConnell doubled-down on his divisive rhetoric and openly disrespected voters of color by saying “African-American voters are voting at just as high a percentage as Americans.”  

I called out Senator McConnell’s ridiculous remarks on Twitter, but it bears repeating now: African-Americans are American, and our votes will not be silenced. And this American will not be silenced or stopped from running to be the third Black governor ever elected in U.S. history and the first Black governor of Maryland, the same state where my ancestors were enslaved.

I am alive today because of those who came before me and sacrificed their lives for the right to vote, and we can’t let divisive Republican leaders silence this progress. Progressive change is not linear, and it is incumbent upon all of us to call out and dismantle racial discrimination — from access to the ballot to access to housing to access to justice — wherever we see it. 

I am humbled by the opportunity to stand up for those who have too often been ignored, and I am confident that together we can move Maryland toward a more just future. But to do so, I need the resources to win this race.

Every donation has a direct impact by fueling our historic campaign, so I am humbly asking if you can chip in $50, $25, $10, or whatever you can afford today→

We still have a ways to go as we protect our freedom to vote, but I am confident that together we can make great strides to ensure all Americans, no matter their race, gender, creed, or zip code, are guaranteed the right to participate in our democratic process. One of the best ways to do that is through electing diverse leadership, so if you can, please consider pitching in whatever you can to support our historic campaign today.

Thank you for your time,

John King