I wanted to take a moment to take a step back and remind you why I’m running for Maryland Governor. 

The status quo has left us with a deeply broken system where those most underserved by systemic inequality are not being given the second chances and opportunities they need to get their life back on track. 

Too many Marylanders work too hard for too little, and I won’t stand by while the structures we have in place to support folks clearly aren’t providing the support Marylanders need.

Public institutions and state government have the power to provide the support and resources Marylanders need not just to survive but to thrive – it’s up to Maryland’s next governor to deliver on those promises. 

This campaign is bigger than me and I need you by my side to see it through. On June 7th we face our biggest public fundraising deadline of the election and we need to raise another $15,000 to be in the strongest spot possible to compete.

I’ll be honest: we have a tough road ahead of us in order to reach this goal and there isn’t a lot of time left to do it. But the truth is I’ve dedicated my life to public service and closing opportunity gaps, and not once have I ever backed down from a challenge. 

When I was kicked out of high school after my parents passed away, a lot of people told me that I wasn't going to make it in life. As a young Black and Puerto Rican kid, statistics were against me and many thought I would wind up in prison or even dead. 

Yet I defied the odds and went on to become the second African American and first Puerto Rican person to lead the U.S. Department of Education — and one of the youngest Cabinet secretaries in history. 

Now, I am running to be Maryland’s first Black governor and first Afro-Latino governor in our nation’s history. I’m confident I’m the right person to meet this moment here in Maryland and I’m ready to put in the work and do what’s right for Marylanders. But I will only succeed with you by my side. 

Polling shows our campaign’s biggest hurdle is my name recognition. The good news is when voters hear my story, why I’m running, and my vision for a more equitable future, I win.

This is why Tuesday’s public fundraising deadline is so crucially important and why I so urgently need your help to show up strong on this report. So please, contribute what you can before our deadline: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/king-deadline

Maryland faces many challenges, and a brighter future may be hard to see, but I have faith that we can build it together.  

Let’s make history together! 

John