By Adam Pagnucco.
A group of elected Democrats from around the state has issued a joint statement that they will not endorse in the upcoming gubernatorial primary until the filing deadline has passed and one or more debates have occurred. Following is their press release.
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For Immediate Release
May 27, 2017
Contact: Delegate David Moon – david@davidmoon.us
Maryland Elected Democrats Commit to Delay
Endorsements in 2018 Gubernatorial Primary
16 Democratic Officials Agree to Wait Until Debates Happen & Filing Deadline Passes
TAKOMA PARK, MD – Today sixteen Maryland Democratic elected officials announced an agreement to delay endorsing candidates in the 2018 gubernatorial primary until: 1) the February 2018 filing deadline has passed, and 2) one or more debates have occurred. The diverse group of Democrats were elected to serve in federal, state, county, and city government and come from a range of communities throughout Maryland.
Every Democratic official who signed the letter has a different reason for joining the effort. Some are available for comment:
Mayor Jacob Day (Salisbury) – jday@salisbury.md
Delegate Kathleen Dumais (Montgomery) – kathleen.dumais@house.state.md.us
Delegate Robbyn Lewis (Baltimore) – robbyn.lewis@house.state.md.us
City Councilmember Robert Wu (Gaithersburg) – rwu@gaithersburgmd.gov
City Councilmember Ryan Dorsey (Baltimore) – ryan.dorsey@baltimorecity.gov
The full text of the letter and list of signers appears below:
Grassroots Democracy Commitment for Maryland Governor
We the undersigned elected Democrats in Maryland, commit not to make an endorsement in the 2018 race for Governor until the candidate filing deadline has passed and there have been one or more debates between the filed candidates.
We are in a period of dramatic grassroots expansion of our party, and we believe it would be wise to provide all rank and file Maryland Democrats — including those who are engaging for the first time — the opportunity to help shape the future of the party. At this early stage in the nomination battle, endorsements may create a primary among insiders that reduces voter input and unnecessarily keeps potential candidates out of the race.
Moreover, delaying endorsements will push those who seek to lead Maryland Democrats to articulate a broad and compelling vision and agenda for our party, debate the issues in detail, and compete effectively for support throughout the state.
In short, we think an open and competitive gubernatorial primary will help us win in November and will encourage candidates to develop strategies that harness grassroots energy to strengthen the Maryland Democratic Party.
Let’s use our resources now to strengthen the organizing base and structure of our Party so we can make the best possible choice for a standard-bearer in next year’s critical primary election.
Signed,
Mayor Jacob Day (Salisbury)
County Councilmember Dannielle Glaros (Prince George’s)
City Councilmember Ryan Dorsey (Baltimore)
City Councilmember Robert Wu (Gaithersburg)
Delegate Erek Barron (Prince George’s)
Delegate Luke Clippinger (Baltimore)
Delegate Kathleen Dumais (Montgomery)
Delegate Sheila Hixson (Montgomery)
Delegate Ariana Kelly (Montgomery)
Delegate Brooke Lierman (Baltimore)
Delegate Jazz Lewis (Prince George’s)
Delegate Robbyn Lewis (Baltimore)
Delegate David Moon (Montgomery)
Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (Montgomery)
State Senator Will Smith (Montgomery)
Congressman Jamie Raskin (Montgomery)