Register now for the You Can Run Virtual Program
Plus: How the Young Democrats of Harford County are making a comeback
Virtual program helping volunteers connect with Democratic campaigns
There’s never an “off-year” in politics. That’s why an upcoming virtual program is helping Harford County residents connect with Democratic campaigns and showing that it’s feasible to run for office.
The You Can Run Virtual Program will be on Sunday, May 23 from 3-5 p.m. Attendees can register for the free program at bit.ly/YouCanRunHarCo.
The You Can Run Virtual Program is jointly organized by the Harford County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) and Harford County’s African American Democratic Club. Another goal for the event is to get young people involved with local politics.
“We realized that if we engage the people who are local — politicians or young, up-and-coming politicians — it will encourage the youth to be curious, to want to be part of what is happening within their communities,” said HCDCC member Isaya Mutombo during the organization’s April meeting. “We also wanted to encourage young people to get involved locally through volunteering.”
The You Can Run Virtual Program is for anyone who wants to run or volunteer for a Democratic campaign. Elected Democrats and local candidates will speak about their experience running for office and other topics to help others get started.
Candidates and Democratic organizations will have the opportunity to recruit volunteers at the event. Topics the speakers will cover include why citizens should run for local office, campaigning and doorknocking, what it’s like being an elected official, bridging the political divide and more.
Program speakers and topics:
Noureen Badwi, Young Democrats of Maryland president — Volunteering 101
Kevin Bianca, Bel Air Town Commissioner — Why citizens should run for local office
Justin Butler, Maryland Democratic Party Organizing Director — How to create a campaign plan and finance it
Diane Fink, Director of Emerge Maryland — Writing your elevator speech
Allison Galbraith, Maryland Democratic Party 2nd Vice Chair and former MD-01 Democratic primary candidate — Making the decision to run and what to do beforehand
Dave Harden, 2022 MD-01 Democratic primary candidate; Jen Pingley, 2022 MD-01 Democratic primary candidate — Examples of an elevator speech
Adam Hiob, Aberdeen City Council Member — What it’s like being an elected official
Andre Johnson, Harford County Council Member - District A — Community outreach as a candidate and how local politics impacts communities
Mia Mason, 2022 MD-01 Democratic primary candidate and 2020 MD-01 Democratic nominee — Grassroots campaigning and doorknocking
Heather Mizeur, 2022 MD-01 Democratic primary candidate and former Maryland Delegate — Bridging the political divide
The Young Democrats of Harford County are making a comeback
Fifteen or more people are needed to help rebuild the Young Democrats of Harford County. This includes leadership or general membership positions. The organization is open to registered Democrats under the age of 37 living in Harford County. Fill out this Google Form to indicate your interest. Once 15 or more people have indicated interest, the Young Democrats of Maryland will step in to help formally create the chapter.
Register for May HCDCC meeting
The HCDCC continues to work for the common good in Harford County. Register today for the next HCDCC meeting on May 27 at 7 p.m.
Maryland Democratic Party events
Anti-hate panel discussion
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The Maryland Democratic Party will be hosting a few events to raise awareness for issues facing AAPI Marylanders and to celebrate the rich history and culture of the community. Sign up for the United Communities of Color: Anti-Hate Panel on Tuesday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
The panel will be moderated by James Stowe, Director of the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, and will feature Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA; Zainab Chaudry, Director of CAIR’s Office in Maryland; Cherri Branson, Third VP, Montgomery County NAACP; and Paul Tiao, President of Communities United Against Hate.
Candidate training
The 2021 and 2022 election cycles are right around the corner and the Maryland Democratic Party wants YOU to run for office. If you’re a Democrat interested in running for anything from governor to local office you should attend their free candidate training on June 5.
The training will be run by top national political operatives and will teach you how to be an effective candidate — it will cover campaign fundamentals like fundraising, communications, organizing, data and digital.
Looking back at the Biden Administration’s first 100 days
President Biden and Vice President Harris have been working hard to build this country back better since day one and they recently celebrated their 100th day in office.
In the past few months, they’ve set a historic new target for emissions reduction, reversed the transgender military and Muslim bans, and expanded access to health care for millions of Americans.
President Biden and Democrats in Congress passed the American Rescue Plan and provided long-needed relief to the American people. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that more than $49.5 million was allocated to Harford County. The Biden Administration also doubled their goal of getting 100 million vaccines in arms by their 100th day — and vaccinated more people than any other country on earth.
Now, President Biden is working with Congress to pass the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan. These pieces of legislation will be critical in turning relief into recovery and setting this nation up for success for generations to come.
The American Jobs Plan will invest:
$621 billion in transportation and transportation infrastructure
$174 billion to encourage electrical vehicles and make federal vehicles electric
$200 billion in high-speed broadband and power infrastructure
$213 billion to build more than two million affordable and sustainable homes
$111 billion for safer drinking water
$137 billion in public schools, community colleges, and child-care facilities
The American Families Plan will invest:
$200 billion for universal preschool for all three and four-year-old children
$109 billion for two years of free community college, plus $85 billion for Pell Grants
$46 billion for HBCUs
$225 billion for child care for low and middle-income families
$225 billion for a national paid family and medical leave program
$800 billion to permanently extend the one-year tax cuts under the American Rescue Plan
All this can be done without raising taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000 a year. President Biden will make sure the top 1% of wealthiest Americans are paying their fair share — and close tax loopholes that have long been exploited.
That’s all for this update. Share this newsletter with a friend and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @HarfordDemocrats.