Political notes: Farmer PAC, teachers, county GOP make endorsements; forums, fundraisers
Maryland Farm Bureau PAC endorses statewide, local legislative candidates
The Maryland Farm Bureau Political Action Committee, a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated, separate segregated fund established by Maryland Farm Bureau Inc., has announced its endorsements for statewide and local state house candidates.
The PAC board members, a bipartisan committee of directors made up of working farmers from across the state, looked at incumbent voting records, candidate questionnaires and recommendations from county Farm Bureau organizations to determine candidates who are friends of Maryland agriculture.
Statewide endorsements include:
Attorney General, Anthony Brown
Comptroller, Barry Glassman
State Senate endorsements include:
District 1, Mike McKay
District 2, Paul D. Corderman
State House of Delegates endorsements include:
District 1C, Terry L. Baker
District 2A, William Valentine
District 2A, William Joseph Wivell
District 2B, Brenda J. Thiam
Washington County Teachers Association makes endorsements for county commissioner, school board
The Washington County Teachers Association Inc. announced its recommendations for candidates for Washington County Board of County Commissioners and Washington County Board of Education, according to a recent news release.
County commissioner endorsements are:
John Barr, Republican
Dave Williams, Democrat
Endorsements for board of education, which is a nonpartisan election, are:
Fred Chavis
Linda Murray
The recommendation process requires candidates to complete a detailed questionnaire and to sit for interviews with association members. The association committee examines the written responses, interview responses, and makes a recommendation to the WCTA Board of Directors and Representative Council. Candidate questionnaires are available for viewing at mywcta.org/wcta-legislative-committee.
WCTA said it supports candidates based on to their commitment to public education. Barr is a retired business owner and former president of the Board of County Commissioners and Maryland Association of Counties. Williams is a retired educator who has advocated for fully staffed schools and fully funded budgets.
WCTA said that Murray, a current school board member, has demonstrated a willingness to lead WCPS through difficult times, keeping an eye on student and staff safety, social-emotional growth, and fiscal responsibility. Chavis, a newcomer to politics, is making his first run at a seat on the board. He has voiced his support for fully funded schools, safe learning environments, and equity of offerings for staff and students.
Washington County Republican Party makes endorsements for Board of Education
The Washington County Republican Party recently announced it is endorsing and supporting only three candidates for the county Board of Education, the group said in a recent news release.
Darrell Evans, Ethan Loewen and Michael Guessford "are the only candidates for Washington County Board of Education that we trust for ensuring School Safety, Efficient Spending, and Parental Choice," the news release states.
"We believe in Education and not Indoctrination and we believe these three candidates are the only ones running for Board of Education that will do what is right for our 22,000 students, their families, the 3,000 plus employees of the Washington County Public Schools, and our communities."
National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 20
The League of Women Voters of Washington County, a nonpartisan organization focused on informed and active participation in government, will be spending Sept. 20 registering voters for the Nov. 8 midterm elections.
The group plans to register voters at the following events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Hagerstown Community College’s Fall Welcome Back Lunch in the Student Center, 11400 Robinwood Drive
Robinwood Professional Center Farmers Market, in the center's atrium on Medical Campus Road in Hagerstown
Washington County Free Library, Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch, 100 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown
The League of Women Voters of Washington County will also have on hand nonpartisan Voter Guides. The league asks all candidates running for a particular office identical questions developed by league volunteers. Responses from candidates who participate are printed exactly as submitted so that voters can compare candidates side-by-side. Additional information can be found at the League’s Vote411.org website.
For inquiries about National Voter Registration Day in Washington County, go to www.lwvwashco.org/nvrd2022.
Chamber to host election forums in October
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce will host several election forums leading up to the General Election, the organization said in a recent news release.
Those interested in attending are asked to register for each, all of which will be at Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St. in Hagerstown. Each event will have registration at 6:30 a.m., breakfast at 7 a.m. and the forum at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $30.
For more information, call 301-739-2015 or go to www.hagerstown.org
Hagerstown state house delegate candidate to hold meet and greet with U.S. Rep. David Trone
Brooke Grossman, a Democrat running for the District 2B seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, will host a meet and greet fundraiser with U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-6th, on Sept. 17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The location of the event will be provided with a ticket purchase, which starts $100, according to a news release from the candidate's campaign.
Tickets can be purchased online at bit.ly/MeetBrooke22, and all donations will be matched by Trone's campaign, according to the release.
"Meet Brooke and learn what better representation for Hagerstown looks like," the release states.
For more information, email brettguess01@gmail.com.
District 2B encompasses the city of Hagerstown. The seat is currently held by Republican Del. Brenda Thiam, who is seeking reelection.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Farmers, teachers, Washington County GOP endorse candidates
