Candidates and Education — A Guide to the Maryland Primary

Jim Block and Jan Plotczyk • July 5, 2022


Many candidates for governor have presented detailed education platforms, reflecting the reality of state-level education control and the fact that they could influence the shape of education in the state. Candidates for Congress have a different focus; their involvement with education has more to do with federal opportunities for funding of education programs. 

 

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19. Only residents who have registered their political party preference are eligible to vote, and they may only vote for their party’s candidates. Thus, Democrats may only vote for Democratic candidates and Republicans only for Republican candidates.

 

 

Governor/Lieutenant Governor

 

Dan Cox + Gordana Schifanelli — Republican

http://www.dancoxforgovernor.com

Cox is opposed to "Critical Race Theory," calling it "Marxist propaganda." He is against "gender identity indoctrination" in our schools. He supports parental rights in the classroom and is against what he calls the bloated bureaucracy state public school “Superboard.” He wants the state government to increase school choice and charter schools.

 

 

Robin Ficker + LeRoy F. Yegge, Jr. — Republican

http://www.cutmdsalestax2cents.com

Ficker's sole policy commitment is to sponsor a yearly reading contest in which "every classroom in the state will send a student who has read the most books in a year."

 

 

Kelly Schulz + Jeff Woolford — Republican

http://www.kellyschulzforgovernor.com

A proponent of parental rights, Schulz is outspoken about education and the failings of public education in Maryland. As governor, she promises to champion a “Parental Bill of Rights” to empower parents to be involved in their children’s education, and to make sure schools are accountable to parents. She also wants Maryland to introduce new and innovative solutions such as P-TECH schools, where students earn a high school diploma, an industry-recognized associate’s degree, and gain relevant work experience in a growing field. 

 

Schulz believes that neighborhood location should not determine education quality. Her solution is school choice, public charter schools, and “record funding for our schools.” However, she has hedged her answers when asked about funding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

 

 

Joe Werner + Minh Thanh Luong — Republican

http://www.wernerformaryland.com

Werner believes that families should have the opportunity to choose to enroll in charter schools instead of public schools. He feels charter schools provide a “more effective” education.

 

 

Rushern Baker III + Nancy Navarro — Democrat

http://www.rushernbaker.com

Rushern Baker III suspended his race for governor on June 10.

 

 

Jon Baron + Natalie Williams — Democrat

http://www.jonbaron.com

From his website:

“As governor, I would bring a bold approach to improving K-12 education by funding programs tested and shown to improve student outcomes and reduce racial and income achievement gaps. My education plan will:

  • Create a Statewide Tutoring Corps to provide high-quality tutoring to every struggling first and second grader in Maryland.
  • Expand Career Academy programs in high schools.
  • Expand high-quality public charter schools like KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program).
  • Offer “Learning Accounts” to low-income 10th graders, providing up to $10,000 in financial aid for college if they do well in high school.”

 

 

Peter Franchot + Monique Anderson-Walker — Democrat

http://www.franchot.com

A major platform for Franchot is to improve educational outcomes for all Marylanders. Some details from the campaign website:

  • Augment Maryland’s education system to provide a more comprehensive, fully-resourced model that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence they need to thrive in the modern economy
  • Pilot innovative approaches to equipping high school students with real-world skills
  • Reduce standardized testing
  • Allow collective bargaining on classroom size
  • Push for fully elected local school boards
  • Ensure no school building suffers from mold, undrinkable water, or absence of climate control
  • Pilot an intergenerational child care program, utilizing Maryland’s seniors in the programming and oversight
  • Pilot fully debt-free paths to a vocation or college degree
  • Integrate union vocational training and apprenticeship programs into Maryland’s public high school system
  • Pilot various student loan debt forgiveness plans

 

 

Douglas F. Gansler + Candace Hollingsworth — Democrat

http://www.ganslerformaryland.com

“As governor, I will ensure full, timely implementation of the Blueprint, add school resource officers, and take actions to increase student achievement and wellness.” Gansler has pledged “to provide affordable childcare and universal Pre-K for every Maryland family so no parent has to choose between caring for their children and pursuing a career of their dreams.” He recognizes the challenges that still exist due to covid. (Vote411.org)

 

 

Ralph W. Jaffe + Mark Greben — Democrat

http://www.fedupwithcrookedpolitics.com

Jaffe pledges to attempt to abolish the Maryland State Department of Education because he feels that the counties should control their own educational philosophies.

 

 

Ashwani Jain + LaTrece Hawkins Lytes — Democrat

http://www.jainforgovernor.com

Jain has many ideas for how to improve education and public schools on his website. Among them:

  • Fund the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future as a crucial step in addressing inequities in the state’s education system
  • Replace school resource officers (SROs) with mental health professionals
  • Expand broadband
  • Teach the history and prevalence of racism that still affects our society today
  • Ease student debt of educators; reduce student debt for all students
  • Make community college more affordable and accessible
  • Provide affordable housing for teachers and para-educators
  • Invest in trade schools
  • Invest in school construction
  • Increase access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs
  • Provide universal Pre-K
  • Depend on performance-based assessments rather than standardized testing

 

 

John King + Michelle Daugherty Siri — Democrat

http://www.johnkingforGovernor.com

Because King is a lifelong educator and former U.S. Secretary of Education, it’s no surprise that he has many detailed plans for addressing education challenges on his campaign website, including to:

  • Build on Maryland’s Blueprint for Education
  • Ensure that public money goes to public schools
  • Recognize, support, and diversify Maryland’s educator workforce
  • Prepare all students for college and careers
  • Help all students learn and love to read
  • Ensure an education that reflects Maryland’s students and our nation’s history
  • Support and sustain a diverse educator workforce
  • Support covid recovery in the schools
  • Support early childhood education
  • Support higher education, HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), career readiness

 

 

Wes Moore + Aruna Miller — Democrat

http://www.wesmoore.com

Moore’s guiding philosophy is “no matter your start in life, you deserve an equal opportunity to succeed – a job you can raise a family on, a future you can look forward to.” Education is a large part of this philosophy, and on his website there are detailed plans and pledges to achieve the following goals:

  • Ensure Maryland’s Blueprint for Education is fully funded and implemented
  • Support educators, para-educators, and education support professionals
  • Make childcare and early childhood education more affordable and accessible
  • Set students up for success
  • Tackle disrupted learning
  • Prioritize students’ social/emotional well-being
  • Combat the school-to-prison pipeline
  • Prepare students for good-paying jobs

 

 

Tom Perez + Shannon Sneed — Democrat

http://www.tomperez.com

Perez states that he “believes in access to a quality, equitable education” for all Marylanders. His education platform includes:

  • Fully funding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
  • Ensuring that our teachers are being paid fair and competitive wages
  • Increasing access to early childhood education
  • Funding school construction
  • Supporting educational equity
  • Fully funding HBCUs
  • Making community colleges and trade schools tuition-free for all students, including Dreamers
  • Expanding CTE (career and technical education) programs in high schools
  • Supporting and expanding pre-apprenticeship opportunities and registered apprenticeships
  • Building equitable digital infrastructure to close the digital divide, especially in rural and urban communities

 

 

Jerome M. Segal + Justinian M. Dispenza — Democrat

http://www.segalforgovernor.org

Segal is a former professor of education philosophy. His education platform includes:

  • Education for its own sake and for critical thinking to solve pressing problems — more history, arts, and humanities
  • Schooling having less to do with the job market, with more focus on history, the arts, the humanities, and civics

 

 

Congress 1st District

 

Andrew P. Harris — Republican — incumbent

http://www.andyharris.com

Harris states on his campaign website that “education is the cornerstone of every child’s development and the foundation of our future economic success as a country.” He advocates for:

  • More funding for public schools
  • Local control of schools
  • Jobs skills training in high schools
  • Addressing issues of higher education, including its affordability
  • Ensuring a simplified federal student aid application
  • Exploring solutions to the out-of-control student loan debts
  • Supporting students earning college credits from demonstrating knowledge they acquired and not just how many hours they spend in a classroom
  • Encouraging more federal support for funding internships and apprenticeships

 

 

R. David Harden — Democrat

http://www.hardenforcongress.com

From Harden’s website: “I will advocate for and work to strengthen our public education system, including our early childhood programs. I support universal public pre-kindergarten, free and nutritious school lunches for every student, equitable funding for schools in historically underserved communities, and strategic investment into modernizing school infrastructure. For those who attend two and four-year colleges, we must ensure that they are not saddled with excessive debt when they graduate and enter the workforce.”

 

 

Heather R. Mizeur — Democrat

http://www.heathermizeur.com

Mizeur’s education platform is geared toward job skills training. Her 10-point EconomyFirst plan includes a section on 21st century skills: workforce education and training. She stresses the need to teach the job skills that match employer needs. Her plans include advancing career and technical education opportunities and establishing robust and accredited apprenticeship programs. She says: “I am dedicated to appointing a member of our future congressional staff team to oversee and coordinate implementation and oversight of Maryland’s CTE plan and other regional workforce development issues in the First District, including targeting federal funding opportunities to advance these goals,” through $1.3 billion annually in state formula grants awarded through the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. On apprenticeship, Mizeur explains, “There are federal resources available for apprenticeship expansion and innovation and I envision bringing stakeholders together to apply for available grants and help our region successfully compete for these funds. The U.S. Department of Labor has devoted $113 million for its Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant Program for this fiscal year alone.”

 

 

Jim Block taught English at Northfield Mount Hermon, a boarding school in Western Mass. He coached cross-country, and advised the newspaper and the debate society there. He taught at Marlborough College in England and Robert College in Istanbul. He and his wife retired to Chestertown, Md. in 2014.

 

Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.

 

Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

By Jared Schablein, Shore Progress May 13, 2025
Let's talk about our Eastern Shore Delegation, the representatives who are supposed to fight for our nine Shore counties in Annapolis, and what they actually got up to this session.
By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury May 12, 2025
For the first time in recent memory, Virginia Democrats have candidates running in all 100 House of Delegates districts — a milestone party leaders and grassroots organizers say reflects rising momentum as President Donald Trump’s second term continues to galvanize opposition.
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By Jared Schablein, Shore Progress April 22, 2025
The 447th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned on April 8. This End of Session Report highlights the work Shore Progress has done to fight for working families and bring real results home to the Shore. Over the 90-day session, lawmakers debated 1,901 bills and passed 878 into law. Shore Progress and members supported legislation that delivers for the Eastern Shore, protecting our environment, expanding access to housing and healthcare, strengthening workers’ rights, and more. Shore Progress Supported Legislation By The Numbers: Over 60 pieces of our backed legislation were passed. Another 15 passed in one Chamber but not the other. Legislation details are below, past the budget section. The 2026 Maryland State Budget How We Got Here: Maryland’s budget problems didn’t start overnight. They began under Governor Larry Hogan. Governor Hogan expanded the state budget yearly but blocked the legislature from moving money around or making common-sense changes. Instead of fixing the structural issues, Hogan used federal covid relief funds to hide the cracks and drained our state’s savings from $5.5 billion to $2.3 billion to boost his image before leaving office. How Trump/Musk Made It Worse: Maryland is facing a new fiscal crisis driven by the Trump–Musk administration, whose trade wars, tariff policies, and deep federal cuts have hit us harder than most, costing the state over 30,000 jobs, shuttering offices, and erasing promised investments. A University of Maryland study estimates Trump’s tariffs alone could cost us $2 billion, and those federal cuts have already added $300 million to our budget deficit. Covid aid gave us a short-term boost and even created a fake surplus under Hogan, but that money is gone, while housing, healthcare, and college prices keep rising. The Trump–Musk White House is only making things worse by slashing funding, gutting services, and eliminating research that Marylanders rely on. How The State Budget Fixes These Issues: This year, Maryland faced a $3 billion budget gap, and the General Assembly fixed it with a smart mix of cuts and fair new revenue, while protecting working families, schools, and health care. The 2025 Budget cuts $1.9 billion ($400 million less than last year) without gutting services people rely on. The General Assembly raised $1.2 billion in fair new revenue, mostly from the wealthiest Marylanders. The Budget ended with a $350 million surplus, plus $2.4 billion saved in the Rainy Day Fund (more than 9% of general fund revenue), which came in $7 million above what the Spending Affordability Committee called for. The budget protects funding for our schools, health care, transit, and public workers. The budget delivers real wins: $800 million more annually for transit and infrastructure, plus $500 million for long-term transportation needs. It invests $9.7 billion in public schools and boosts local education aid by $572.5 million, a 7% increase. If current revenue trends hold, no new taxes will be needed next session. Even better, 94% of Marylanders will see a tax cut or no change, while only the wealthiest 5% will finally pay their fair share. The tax system is smarter now. We’re: Taxing IT and data services like Texas and D.C. do; Raising taxes on cannabis and sports betting, not groceries or medicine; and Letting counties adjust income taxes. The budget also restores critical funding: $122 million for teacher planning $15 million for cancer research $11 million for crime victims $7 million for local business zones, and Continued support for public TV, the arts, and BCCC The budget invests in People with disabilities, with $181 million in services Growing private-sector jobs with $139 million in funding, including $27.5 million for quantum tech, $16 million for the Sunny Day Fund, and $10 million for infrastructure loans. Health care is protected for 1.5 million Marylanders, with $15.6 billion for Medicaid and higher provider pay. Public safety is getting a boost too, with $60 million for victim services, $5.5 million for juvenile services, and $5 million for parole and probation staffing. This budget also tackles climate change with $100 million for clean energy and solar projects, and $200 million in potential ratepayer relief. Public workers get a well-deserved raise, with $200 million in salary increases, including a 1% COLA and ~2.5% raises for union workers. The ultra-wealthy will finally chip in to pay for it: People earning over $750,000 will pay more, Millionaires will pay 6.5%, and Capital gains over $350,000 get a 2% surcharge. Deductions are capped for high earners, but working families can still deduct student loans, medical debt, and donations. This budget is bold, fair, and built to last. That’s why Shore Progress proudly supports it. Click on the arrows below for details in each section.
By Friends of Eastern Neck Board of Directors April 16, 2025
Let your elected representatives and business and cultural leaders know that our Refuge and others like it all over the country deserve to be protected. They deserve our stewardship for the natural wonders they shelter, and because they provide refuge for people, too.
By Elaine McNeil April 9, 2025
The Budget Deficit In a recent debate on closing Maryland’s budget deficit, Minority Leader Jason Buckel, a Republican delegate from Allegany County, made an important point: “The man upstairs has only been there for two, three years. I don’t blame him for our economic failures of the last 10,” referring to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, who was elected in 2022. Ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections, Buckel’s comments highlight a key reality that many of his Republican colleagues seldom admit: It isn’t right to blame Gov. Moore for a budget deficit that has been brewing for years. Now projected at $3.3 billion, Maryland’s structural deficit is a problem that started long before Moore took office. In fact, it was first projected in 2017, during the tenure of former GOP Gov. Larry Hogan. This isn’t an opinion — it’s a fact that Buckel and other lawmakers, including Republican Del. Jefferson Ghrist, have bravely acknowledged. During that same debate, Ghrist remarked that the Department of Legislative Services had warned about this deficit throughout Hogan’s administration, yet he did little to address it. Ghrist pointed out that during Maryland’s “good years,” when the state received a flood of federal covid-19 relief dollars, spending spiraled without regard for long-term fiscal health. Hogan used these one-time federal funds to support ongoing programs, which masked the true state of Maryland’s finances and created an illusion of fiscal stability. Hogan continues to take credit for the “surplus” Maryland had in 2022 — even though experts repeatedly note it was caused by the influx of federal dollars during the pandemic. As Ghrist correctly observed, the lack of fiscal restraint and slow growth during the Hogan years laid the groundwork for the $3.3 billion structural deficit the state faces today. Indeed, Maryland’s economy has been stagnant since 2017, especially in comparison to its neighboring states, well before Moore took office. Compounding these challenges are President Donald Trump’s reckless layoffs and trade wars with our allies. Thousands of federal workers who live in Maryland are losing their jobs, which will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. Trump’s tariffs will also put an enormous strain on local businesses, including Eastern Shore farmers, who are now subject to up to 15% retaliatory tariffs on chicken, wheat, soybeans, corn, fruits, and vegetables. FY2026 Budget Considering this grim reality, Maryland’s lawmakers are making difficult, but necessary, decisions to shore up the state’s finances. Gov. Moore and state legislative leaders recently agreed to a budget that prioritizes expanding Maryland’s economy without raising taxes on most residents. In fact, 94% of Marylanders should see either a tax cut or no change at all to their income tax bill under the proposed agreement. Lawmakers also plan to cut government spending by the largest amount in 16 years, while at the same time making targeted investments in emerging industries, such as quantum computing and aerospace defense, so the state is less dependent on federal jobs. While the richest Marylanders might see their income taxes go up, it’s reasonable to ask someone making over $750,000 a year to pay $1,800 more to support law enforcement, strengthen our schools, and grow our economy. As for the proposed tax on data and IT services, these products aren’t subject to Maryland’s sales tax under current law. Maryland leaders want to modernize our tax code by levying a 3% sales tax on these products. Because they don’t raise income taxes on the majority of Marylanders and because state leaders are also cutting spending by billions, these ideas are fair. They’re also necessary after Gov. Hogan chose to kick the can down the road instead of addressing Maryland’s long-predicted deficit and now that Trump’s policies will lay off thousands of Marylanders and his tariffs will hurt our state. By making responsible choices now, Maryland leaders are putting the state on a path to long-term economic stability. Their decisions will help Maryland thrive, create jobs, and invest in the vital services that every resident relies on — without burdening hardworking families. I’m confident Maryland will emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to lead in the industries of tomorrow. Elaine McNeil is chair of the Queen Anne’s Democratic Central Committee.
By John Christie April 2, 2025
Among Donald Trump’s most recent targets is what he calls “rogue law firms.” At 6pm last Thursday, March 27, he issued an Executive Order (EO) aimed at my old law firm, WilmerHale, as one of those “rogue” firms. Approximately 15 hours later, the firm filed a 63-page complaint challenging the EO on multiple constitutional grounds. The EO is an “unprecedented assault on the bedrock principle that one should not be penalized for merely defending or prosecuting a lawsuit” and constitutes an “undisguised form of retaliation for representing clients and causes Trump disfavors.” And by 8pm on Friday, March 28, a little over 24 hours after the EO was first issued, a federal district court judge in Washington granted a request for a temporary restraining order, blocking key provisions of the EO from taking effect for now. In doing so, the Court found that “the retaliatory nature of the EO is clear from its face. There is no doubt that it chills speech and legal advocacy and qualifies as a constitutional harm.” The Executive Order The EO and a so-called “Fact Sheet” that went with it recites that the Administration is committed to addressing the significant risks associated with law firms, particularly so-called “Big Law” firms that engage in conduct detrimental to critical American interests. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is yet another law firm said to have abandoned the legal profession’s highest ideals and abused its pro bono practice by engaging in activities that “undermine justice and the interests of the United States.” The specific examples offered in support of this conclusion: The EO asserts that WilmerHale “engages in obvious partisan representations to achieve political ends,” an apparent reference to the firm’s representation of Trump’s political opponents — namely the Democratic National Committee and the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The EO cites WilmerHale’s “egregious conduct” in “supporting efforts to discriminate on the basis of race,” an apparent reference to the firm’s representation of Harvard in the Students for Fair Admissions litigation. The EO accuses WilmerHale of “backing the obstruction of efforts to prevent illegal aliens from committing horrific crimes,” an apparent reference to the firm’s litigation related pro bono practice and successful challenges to immigration related policies. The EO accuses WilmerHale of “furthering the degradation of the quality of American elections,” an apparent reference to the film’s involvement in challenges to restrictive state voter-identification and voter-registration laws. The EO singles out certain current and former WilmerHale partners, including Robert Mueller, for special criticism by describing Mr. Mueller’s investigation as “one of the most partisan investigations in American history” and having “weaponized the prosecutorial power to suspend the democratic process and distort justice.” The EO then Revokes security clearances held by WilmerHale attorneys; Prohibits the federal government from hiring WilmerHale employees absent a special waiver; Orders a review and the possible termination of federal contracts with entities that do business with the firm; Calls for the withdrawal of government goods or services from the firm; and Calls for restrictions on the ability of WilmerHale employees to enter federal buildings (presumably including federal courthouses) and on their “engaging” with government employees. WilmerHale’s Complaint WilmerHale engaged Paul Clement, a former Solicitor General during the George W. Bush administration and a well-known advocate frequently representing conservative causes, to represent the firm in this matter. Assisted by some 15 WilmerHale litigators, the complaint names the Executive Office of the President and 48 other Departments, Commissions, and individual Officers in their official capacity as defendants. A variety of constitutional violations are alleged: The First Amendment protects the rights of WilmerHale and its clients to speak freely, and petition the courts and other government institutions without facing retaliation and discrimination by federal officials. The separation of powers limits the President’s role to enforcing the law and no statute or constitutional provision empowers him to unilaterally sanction WilmerHale in this manner. The EO flagrantly violates due process by imposing severe consequences without notice or an opportunity to be heard. The EO violates the right to counsel protected by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments and imposes unconstitutional conditions on federal contracts and expenditures. The complaint alleges that WilmerHale has already suffered irreparable damage in the 16 hours since the EO issued. The firm has been vilified by the most powerful person in the country as a “rogue law firm” that has “engaged in conduct detrimental to critical American interests. The EO will inevitable cause extensive, lasting damage to WilmerHale’s current and future business prospects. The harm to the firm’s reputation will negatively affect its ability to recruit and retain employees. Further Proceedings Temporary restraining orders constitute emergency relief upon a showing of likely success on the merits and irreparable harm were the temporary relief not entered. A later hearing will be held in order for the judge to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be issued preventing the government from executing the EO during the continued length of the litigation. Editorial Note: In light of the recent capitulation of several “Big Law” firms to the unreasonable and unconstitutional attacks by the Trump administration, WilmerHale is providing a blueprint for resistance as it fights back. More law firms need to be inspired by WilmerHale’s response to Trump’s demand for revenge on his so-called political enemies. John Christie was for many years a senior partner in a large Washington, D.C. law firm. He specialized in anti-trust litigation and developed a keen interest in the U.S. Supreme Court about which he lectures and writes.
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