Elbridge James, Board President of Progressive Maryland and former Vice-President of the Montgomery County NAACP, has endorsed District 18 Senator Rich Madaleno and Delegates Ana Sol Gutierrez, Jeff Waldstreicher and Al Carr. Following is the team’s press release. (Disclosure: your author is their Treasurer.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Adam Fogel, Deputy Campaign Manager
Adam@district18democrats.com

Monday, May 17, 2010—Wheaton, MD—The District 18 Democratic Team announced the endorsement of civil rights activist and Montgomery County community organizer Elbridge James.

Mr. James, a Montgomery County resident since 1971, has had a distinguished career championing civil rights and social justice issues. He serves on the Maryland ACLU’s Legislative Committee, is a former Vice President of the NAACP-Montgomery County Branch, and is Board President of Progressive Maryland. He has also worked closely with Equality Maryland and the Maryland State Education Association. Mr. James is a respected statewide leader, advocating for issues such as living wage, expanded healthcare for working families, and increased funding for secondary education. Mr. James is retired from the University of Maryland-College Park, where he was a human resources specialist. He is currently the Director of the Maryland Black Family Alliance.

Mr. James released the following statement to announce his endorsement of the District 18 Democratic Team:

As Board President of Progressive Maryland, past Vice President of the NAACP Montgomery County Branch, and Director of the Maryland Black Family Alliance,* I know it’s critical to have hard-working, progressive leaders. That’s why I’m proud to endorse the District 18 Democratic Team: Senator Madaleno and Delegates Carr, Gutiérrez, and Waldstreicher.

Working together, these four Democrats have achieved great things. They have fought for social justice and kept faith with our progressive values, ensured fiscal responsibility and corporate accountability, and invested billions in our schools to make sure all our kids have the opportunity to learn. I’ve lived in Montgomery County for 40 years and fought for civil rights my entire life. When it comes to standing up for social justice, equality, and civil liberties, I stand proudly with the District 18 Democratic Team.

* Identification purposes only

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By Authority: District 18 Democratic Team Slate. Co-Chairs: Carole Brand & Steve Lawton. Treasurer: Adam Pagnucco.