*Articles reflect the views of the author and or those quoted and do not necessarily represent the views of CCBC or the CCBC Connection.
Corday Gaskins
The 2018 Midterm Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
This election will cover some of the biggest political offices, such as Governor, Senate, and County Executive.
Maryland has two accomplished candidates running for the gubernatorial election.
The current Governor of Maryland since 2015 Larry Hogan, will be the incumbent for the 2018 gubernatorial election along with his running mate Boyd Rutherford. The two politicians will be representing the Republican Party.
Governor Hogan worked in the private sector for more than 25 years as a successful Maryland entrepreneur and small business owner. He also founded Change Maryland which is the largest independent organization in the state of Maryland dedicated to “bringing monetary responsibility and common sense to state government.”
Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford is an accomplished attorney with a lot of experience in both the public and private sectors. He also served as Assistant Secretary for Administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"I am a Democrat but I like what Governor Hogan did in office,” said Ruth Fuller, a Maryland Resident. “I am strongly considering giving him my vote."
Larry Hogan and Boyd K. Rutherford will be running against the Democratic Candidates Ben Jealous and his running mate Susan Turnbull.
Ben Jealous is the former president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also known as the NAACP.
He also served as a civil rights leader and community organizer. While working as a venture capitalist, Jealous invested in socially conscious startups and was also a member of the NAACP’s Youth and College Division.
Susie Turnbull, Ben Jealous' running mate is the former Chair of The Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Jewish Women International. She also served as a board member and officer of the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington.
"I really hope people get out and vote,” said Samara, a Maryland Resident for over 32 years. “These midterm elections are just as important as the presidential election. This is our opportunity to make changes in our communities."
Maryland senators will also be elected on November 6, 2018. Maryland has three candidates for senator.
Tony Campbell is a professor of Political Science at Towson University and former Army Chaplain. Campbell won the Republican Party primary and would be Maryland's first African-American elected to the US Senate.
Senator Ben Cardin is running for re-election for a third term. Cardin was first elected as a senator in 2006 as apart of the Democratic Party. Cardin also served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1979- 1987.
Neal Simon will be running for senator as well. He is the current CEO of Bronfman Rothschild. Neal Simon is a business executive and community leader in Potomac, Maryland. Simon is a former chairman of the board of the Montgomery County Community Foundation. He will be running as an independent.
Johnny Olszewski Jr. also known as “Johnny O,” was elected as the Democratic Nominee for Baltimore County Executive. Olszewski Jr. served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Maryland's District 6 in Baltimore County. He was also a teacher in the Baltimore County school system.
Al Redmer Jr. is the Republican Nominee for Baltimore County Executive. Redmer Jr. has a lot of experience serving his community. He served as a volunteer firefighter and also worked as the President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association.
"Kevin Kamenetz was a great County Executive. I hope the next County Executive will be able to continue the work he was doing," said Ben Fort, a CCBC student, and Baltimore County resident.
Early voting in Maryland starts on October 25, 2018- Nov 1, 2018.
It’s crucial to see what voting can do for our country and picking the right officials can do to voice the cause of issues that we deeply support.
Very much so, but I also think it is important for new voters to make an educated opinion. Don’t go in blindly, research about the parties and see which ones coincide with your beliefs.
Everyone should vote for midterm elections even though it might not seem as important as other elections it has a lot to do with who is making your state a better place! So get out and vote
It is important that we vote and have a say into the government. What every they say or take action on effects our whole society. I voted and it’s important that most of young Americans to vote. It’s our future and it’s important to do that
Many people are usually reluctant to exercise their franchise, but it is through voting that we elect people who understands the plights of citizen and will be able to defend and alleviate this suffering . Credible men and women who are wiling to protect our future should be voted.