Political Notebook: They’re Voting Early on the Shore; More Endorsements

Of Maryland’s 3,597,135 voters, 4.8 percent voted in the first seven days of early voting, according to statistics from the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Three Eastern Shore counties lead with the highest percentage of early voters: Talbot at 11.16 percent, Kent at 9 percent and Somerset at 6 percent.

Prince George’s had 5.97 percent early voter turnout, followed by Queen Anne’s at 5.96 percent.

Allegany County has the lowest early voting turnout in the first seven days at 2.35 percent.

Early voting statistics can be found here.

A reminder: today, June 21, is the final day to vote early.

Voting centers are open today until 8 p.m. Look for an early voting center in your county here.  Maryland’s early voting centers have been open since last Thursday.

The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, June 26, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here are the latest endorsements received by Maryland Matters:

From Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance

Seven candidates for Montgomery County’s key races earned a “green light” from the Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance.

A green light tells voters which candidates support key road and transit projects that do the most to relieve congestion.

SMTA’s “congestion score” shows which candidates warrant a red light, a cautionary yellow or smooth sailing.

Rose G. Krasnow is the only county executive candidate to garner a green light on transportation solutions. Three other county executive candidates garnered yellow lights: Roger Berliner, David T. Blair and George L. Leventhal. F

or the four at-large county council seats up for grabs, six green lights were given to Gabe Albornoz, Marilyn Balcombe, Hoan Dang, Lorna Phillips Forde, Neil Greenberger and Steve Solomon.

“We must elect people who truly understand the daily plight of those of us who live Upcounty,” said Stephanie Graves, business owner of Switch To Solar and SMTA board member. “We need transit and roads; we need the [Corridor Cities Transitway] and the last segment of Mid-County Highway – which were promised to Upcounty residents in 1965.”

“Candidates who support transit-only solutions can’t do basic math,” said Emmet Tydings, owner of ABT Telecom and vice president of SMTA. “Even if we built all of the transit planned, we still need more road capacity to handle the current congestion.”  SMTA’s mission is to educate and advocate for improved transportation in suburban Maryland.

From the Eastern Shore PAC for Social and Economic Justice

State Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr., a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, received the endorsement of the Eastern Shore Political Action Committee for Social and Economic Justice.

“Mr. Madaleno is a proven champion on marriage equality, environmental protection and the Maryland Dream Act. His platforms to improve education, ensure access to quality health care for all, and expand opportunities for economic prosperity for all Marylanders are a strong match with the PAC’s values,” reads a statement from the committee.

Madaleno demonstrated a continued commitment to protecting all Marylanders, not just those of his District 18, during the 2018 legislative session when he sponsored the Community Healthy Air Act, which would have required the study of potentially harmful gas emissions from the poultry industry on the Eastern Shore, the statement continues.

The Eastern Shore Political Action Committee is a non-partisan PAC that supports political candidates on Maryland’s Eastern Shore who stand for healthy and prosperous communities and ensure fair and equitable treatment for all.

From the MD Chapter of the National Organization for Women’s PAC

The Madaleno/Jenkins Democratic gubernatorial ticket has earned the endorsement from the Maryland chapter of the National Organization for Women’s Political Action Committee.

“I’m very pleased that the Maryland NOW PAC has voted to endorse Rich Madaleno and Luwanda Jenkins in this election cycle,” said Sandy Bell, Maryland NOW’s PAC chairwoman. “Rich’s many years of experience in the state legislature speaks volumes in demonstrating his commitment to NOW’s issues and to our work in Annapolis. His work for paid leave, and the ‘Fight for $15’ to raise Maryland’s minimum wage, his work in advancing bills affecting violence against women, and his work for many years on the issue of equal marriage all make him a strong choice for us as governor of Maryland.”

Another issue very important to the PAC was Madaleno’s work to ensure that Maryland Planned Parenthood would be able to continue their work in Maryland if the federal government halted funding.

“Progressive women and men have always been able to count on Rich Madaleno to support legislation of importance to us, and to bring others along as well. That’s the leadership we deserve,” said Beth Corbin, Maryland NOW president.

From Emily’s List

Rose Krasnow and Vicki Almond, county executive candidates in Montgomery and Baltimore counties, respectively, have earned endorsements from Emily’s List.

The group also endorsed four candidates in Maryland Senate races, Dana Beyer in District 18 (Montgomery), Sen. Delores G. Kelley in District 10 (Baltimore), Sen. Barbara Robinson in District 40 (Baltimore City) and Mary Kay Sigaty in District 12 (Baltimore, Howard). Marilyn Mosby was endorsed for Baltimore city state’s attorney.

“Whether it’s personally treating Marylanders struggling to access adequate health care, championing quality education or tirelessly pushing for safer communities for all, these proven women leaders have devoted years of their lives to public service and improving their state. From Baltimore and Montgomery counties to the state Senate, these pro-choice Democratic women have the experience and dedication it takes to tackle the challenges facing Maryland families,” Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily’s List, said in a statement.

Emily’s List is an advocacy group that supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates.

For Steve Waugh Sen. Steve Waugh (R), who is seeking reelection in District 29 (Calvert, St. Mary’s), has earned endorsements from Maryland Right to Life, Maryland Realtors, Maryland Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business, Maryland Business for Responsive Government and Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings (Baltimore, Harford).

From State Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot (D) Franchot, who is unopposed in the primary as he seeks his fourth term, has endorsed 18 candidates across the state in the Democratic primaries. They are:

•  Aron Axe, a Naval Academy graduate running for House of Delegates in Anne Arundel County’s District 30.
•  Businessman David T. Blair, who is running for Montgomery County executive.
•  State Sen. James Brochin, a candidate for Baltimore County executive.
•  Iraq War veteran Jesse Colvin, a candidate in the 1st congressional district.
•  Andrew Friedson, a former Franchot aide running for Montgomery County Council in the 1st district.
•  Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth, seeking a seat on the Prince George’s County Council.
•  Cheverly Town Councilman Julian Ivey, seeking a District 47A seat in the House of Delegates.
•  Mila Johns, seeking a state House seat in Montgomery County’s District 18.
•  Robert Johnson, challenging Sen. Delores B. Kelley (D) in Baltimore County’s District 10.
•  Nate Loewentheil, seeking a seat in the House of Delegates in Baltimore City’s 46th District.
•  State Del. Cory V. McCray, challenging Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden in Baltimore City’s 45th legislative district.
•  Tommy Makila, who is taking on state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Calvert) Jr. in District 27.
•  George E. Miller, a House candidate in Baltimore City’s 41st District.
•  Steuart Pittman, a horse farmer who is running for Anne Arundel County executive.
•  Wini Roche, a tourism consultant who is running for Harford County Council, in District F.
•  Lily Rowe, a candidate for Baltimore County Board of Education, District 6.
•  Del. Mary Washington, who is challenging Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D) in the 43rd legislative district.
•  Michael Welker, a candidate for the House from the Upper Shore’s District 36.

Franchot said the candidates on his “18 for ’18” list “will be independent thinkers who won’t be afraid to stand up to political bosses to do what’s right for the people that have elected them to be their voice in government.”

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