A note from the Chair, September 14, 2024
Those of you who watched the Presidential debate last Tuesday or have seen the many clips circulating online revealed the brilliant contrast between the presidential candidates. Vice President Harris showcased her vision for an opportunity economy that expands the middle class, a commitment to our national security and the preservation of democracy, and the ability to reveal her opponent as a dangerously weak egotist who can easily be manipulated by flattery or baiting. Her opponent showcased himself in all of his negativity, disparaged our nation and its residents, and showed his coziness with autocrats who dispense with democratic institutions.
While our choices for President are as stark as they can be, our choice between Senate candidates is no less important. A Hogan win risks putting the Senate in the hands of Republicans whose agenda has amounted to little more than attempting to paralyze the last three Democratic administrations. And Hogan’s record while governor is not nearly as neutral as he claims he will be, and in contrast to the advice you get from investment advisors, past performance in politics is the best predictor of future results: if you want to know how he’ll act in the Senate, look at what he attempted to veto while he was governor. Angela Alsobrooks, on the other hand, offers legislative priorities that will strengthen our unions, expand our middle class, and bolster our national security.
Farther down-ballot, we have a similarly clear choice. On one side, we face the all-too-familiar Rep. Andy Harris, anti-choice dog-whistler, whose ineffectiveness is such that he “wouldn’t know how to put together a coalition to pass legislation that might address inflation or crime in some meaningful way if he was provided all 435 votes in his chamber on a silver platter.” His ineptitude as a legislator is exceeded only by his documented willingness to deny and subvert our elections. On the other, we can support Blane Miller, a pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ rights veteran and Democrat whose commitment to our Constitution is rock-solid.
It is up to us, as Democrats, to spread the word in whatever way we can to mobilize voters, help new voters register, convince those still on the fence, and motivate our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to do everything in their power to bring this election home. In no election in my 32 years of voting has there been such fierce urgency as we now must now bring to bear. Those who love democracy, those who wish to preserve America’s hard-earned respect in the world, those who are called to ensure justice and preserve the rule of law for our children and grandchildren and preserve our planet’s ability to support them - it our time to shine and, in the motto of my collegiate alma mater, to “Illuminate the earth.”
Yours in Democracy,
Sandy Gibbons
Debate Watch Party Recap:
About 70 enthusiastic Democrats attended our watch party at the State Theater in Havre de Grace! We thank the owners for opening up their venue to us, and DCC member Paula Casagrande for organizing this fun event. Here are some pictures from the evening:
Next Democratic Party meetings:
Join us at our next Central Committee business meeting on the 18th of September at 7 pm at the Forest Hill Activity Center, located at 2213 Commerce Rd B, Forest Hill. We’ll have yard signs available!
The Harford Democratic Club will meet at 7 pm on October 2 at the Holiday Inn Express in Aberdeen for phone-banking and postcard writing!
Volunteer Opportunities:
Along with the statewide coordinated campaign, over the next weeks we will be transitioning our efforts from volunteer recruitment to get-out-the-vote efforts. The activities will be similar to what we’re already doing, just with an altered focus in the weeks immediately preceding the election. Join us for our canvasses, phonebanks and community events to bring new volunteers aboard! Sign up and we will reach out to you with more details.
Canvassing: bit.ly/HCDCCcanvass (case sensitive)
Phonebanking: bit.ly/HCDCCPhonebanks (case sensitive)
Community Events: bit.ly/HCDCCcommunityevents (case sensitive)
The sign-up forms for all three volunteer activities will be updated throughout the year as more are scheduled.
Key deadlines:
A reminder of some key dates from the Harford County Board of Elections:
Voter Registration - Tuesday, October 15 at 5 pm. Registrations and changes must be signed and postmarked 21 days before the election.
Early Voting - Thursday, October 24 - Tuesday, October 31 (7-8 pm), locations TBD
Vote-by-Mail - applications for mail-in ballots are due at 8 pm, October 29 (11:59 pm deadline for online applications)