Candidates and the Economy – a Guide to the Maryland Primary

Peter Heck • June 7, 2022


When asked what issue concerns them most coming into this year’s midterm elections, most Americans, according to polls, cite the economy, especially inflation. A Gallup poll taken in May showed that 77% of respondents believe the national economy is getting worse, with 85% rating giving it a rating of “fair” or “poor.” Inflation is expected to be the deciding issue for many voters in this November's elections.

 

With that in mind, Common Sense for the Eastern Shore is reporting the statements of the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Maryland, and for representative for the First Congressional District, which includes all of the Eastern Shore. Taken from the candidates’ websites, here are excerpts outlining their positions on the state’s economy. Links to the websites are provided for readers who want to explore the candidates’ full statements.

 

All but one of the Republican candidates for governor make tax cuts the key — often the only — element of their economic policies. By contrast, most of the Democrats offer detailed road maps to improve the economy of the state and the economic status of its residents.

 

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 and Lt. Governor

 

There are four choices on the Republican ballot for governor and lieutenant governor.

 

Dan Cox + Gordana Schifanelli — Republican

www.dancoxforgovernor.com

“Reduce taxes for families, businesses, and retirees through economic ingenuity to awaken a     new era of economic prosperity for Maryland.”

 

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

www.cutmdsalestax2cents.com

“A two-cent cut in the Maryland sales tax will give every Marylander a tax cut every day and give Maryland a much needed ‘business-friendly,’ label. Marylanders will save hundred$/year, or together more than $1.7 billion annually.” Ficker promises to work to attract major employers, such as Apple, Amazon, and Facebook, to the state to create new jobs.

 

Kelly Schulz + Jeff Woolford — Republican

www.kellyschulzforgovernor.com

“I will fight every effort by the legislature to raise taxes — and I will use my platform and position to fight for tax cuts every single year that I am in office.” “One of my top priorities as governor will be to cut taxes for all Marylanders, which begins with fighting to give our retirees the relief they deserve.”

 

Joe Werner + Minh Thanh Luong — Republican

www.wernerformaryland.com

“I envision the growth of small businesses and educational systems, creating policies centered on economic opportunity and our community safety.”

 

There are 10 choices on the Democratic ballot for governor and lieutenant governor. 

 

Rushern Baker III + Nancy Navarro — Democrat

www.rushernbaker.com

“Recovery is an opportunity to create a state where everyone can benefit from a thriving and competitive economy. We want to deliberately invest in the people and infrastructure of underserved communities, eliminate discriminatory practices in lending, ensure equal access to grants, and make Maryland the Black business startup capital of the nation.”

 

Jon Baron + Natalie Williams — Democrat

www.jonbaron.com

“As governor, I would –

Help unemployed workers get back on their feet:

  • Providing immediate job-search and other reemployment services when Marylanders file for unemployment.
  • Offering a sizable earnings supplement to long-term unemployed workers who find a full-time job.
  • Address the longstanding problems of stagnant wages and economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Marylanders by:
  • Providing high-quality job training to every young adult who wants to advance.
  • Supporting English language learners entering the workforce.
  • My approach to job opportunity (and other challenges) is fiscally responsible in a way that should resonate with Maryland’s business community. Expansion of proven-effective programs  can be accomplished, in most cases, using existing state funds. Our next governor needs to chart a course that ensures all Marylanders share in the recovery.”

 

Peter Franchot + Monique Anderson-Walker — Democrat

www.franchot.com

“The Franchot administration will create 100,000 family-supporting jobs in 100 weeks through   

  • targeted investment in productive infrastructure projects;
  • the creation of a statewide jobs-training program in partnership with the private sector and unions;
  • the dramatic improvement of the operating environment for small businesses via more efficient government services, streamlined and coordinated regulation, and better access to capital.

The Franchot administration will pair a bold expansion of Maryland’s public works with a commitment to robust project labor agreements and community benefits agreements and negotiations with the private sector on every project. A special emphasis in these agreements  will be placed on apprenticeship training and local hiring.


In addition to targeted and stimulative investment in infrastructure, the Franchot administration will champion the interests of the state’s small businesses that are the backbone of the state’s economy. To that end, a Franchot administration will review all government regulatory processes and fees that impact small businesses to ensure that bureaucratic red tape and associated costs are not disproportionately or unnecessarily impacting small businesses.”

 

Douglas F. Gansler + Candace Hollingsworth — Democrat

www.ganslerformaryland.com

  • Raise the minimum wage.
  • Hire minority-owned businesses as sub-contractors and prime contractors alike.
  • Ease access to capital for Black-owned businesses.
  • Ensure Black-owned cannabis and sports betting companies have a fair shot to succeed.
  • Prioritize returning citizens’ employment opportunities.
  • Meaningfully diversify state government at every level.
  • Laser-focus on helping Baltimore realize its unlimited promise.

 

Ralph W. Jaffe + Mark Greben — Democrat

www.fedupwithcrookedpolitics.com

“The Jaffe movement’s mission is to put a stop to corruption in the Maryland political system and to replace it with true, ethical reform.

  • No tax increases: Will oppose any attempts by the General Assembly to increase taxes.
  • Will attempt to stop Baltimore Gas and Electric from ripping off its customers. BGE needs to be more sensitive to the needs of its customers rather than the needs of its stockholders.”

 

Ashwani Jain + LaTrece Hawkins Lytes — Democrat

www.jainforgovernor.com

  • Eliminate the state income tax for 95% of workers.
  • Guarantee free public transit.
  • Create the first statewide guaranteed jobs programs.

 

John King + Michelle Daugherty Siri — Democrat

www.johnkingforGovernor.com

“A King-Siri administration will focus efforts around five key planks:

Ensuring everyone has access to the building blocks of economic opportunity.

  1. Ensuring everyone has access to the building blocks of economic opportunity.
  2. Building strong pathways so that people have the skills and opportunities required for the jobs they want.
  3. Supporting good jobs in healthy businesses.
  4. Building vibrant communities statewide.
  5. Advancing equity and making sure our economy works for every Marylander by directly tackling systemic disparities.”

 

Wes Moore + Aruna Miller — Democrat

www.wesmoore.com

  • Build the workforce of the future by transforming Maryland’s workforce development system.
  • Drive innovation and technology advancements by producing 150,000 new STEM graduates.
  • Grow new industries and businesses by leveraging relationships with Maryland’s federal agencies, military installations, and colleges and universities.
  • Attract and retain talent by creating a talent-recruitment function in the Department of Commerce and by implementing incentives for remote workers to move to Maryland.
  • Support small and micro businesses by modernizing the regulatory process and making it easier for Maryland businesses to compete and win.
  • Support working families by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023, implementing a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program in Maryland, and leveraging new federal transportation funds to connect people with new opportunities.”

 

Tom Perez + Shannon Sneed — Democrat

www.tomperez.com

“Tom believes that our children deserve a better future than we have today. And as a civil rights attorney, lifelong ally of the labor movement, and career champion of working families, Tom knows the best way to secure that bright future is to do the work to set up a true win-win: creating good, secure jobs in our communities so the economy thrives, and ensuring that Marylanders have the in-demand skills they need to thrive in those jobs. As governor, he will stand up for Maryland’s working families by fighting for things such as income equality, affordable childcare, collective bargaining, pensions, paid family leave, a more progressive tax system, fair wages, unemployment insurance that functions, and real investments in workforce development so everyone in this state can win.”

 

Jerome M. Segal + Justinian M. Dispenza — Democrat

www.segalforgovernor.org

  • Guaranteed basic employment: A legal guarantee of at least 32 hours/week of paid employment.
  • Transition to the four-day work week via a time-liberty law allowing workers to opt for four days after three years on the job.
  • Building the simpler living option by living wage policies to reduce the cost of meeting core economic needs, thus making the four-day work week viable for all.
  • This living wage policy matrix includes a right to a one-time, zero-interest mortgage for modest or tiny new homes, and free education pre-K through college, reducing automobile dependency by free public transit, and the “near-free EV” as well as highly subsidized alternatives to the car.
  • Tax transformation that includes tax-elimination for the bottom third of households and more progressive taxation among the top one-third, including progressive property taxes.

 

Congress 1st District

 

Andrew P. Harris — Republican – incumbent

www.andyharris.com

Rep. Harris is unopposed in the Republican primary election. His website does not address the economic issues facing the state.

 

There are two Democratic choices on the ballot for 1st District representative.

 

R. David Harden — Democrat

www.hardenforcongress.com

  • Jobs: “I support the American Jobs Plan to create economic opportunities for all Marylanders. The district has incredible opportunities with agriculture, tourism, and a Chesapeake Bay economy, but this also means creating the jobs that prepare our district for a new energy and  climate future. In the coming decade, this district can also build a more innovative economy focused on health-care service and delivery, biotechnology to improve people's lives, and advanced defense technologies to safeguard the homeland.”       
  • Small businesses: “As we move into a post-covid economy, I will introduce a regulatory approach to prioritize the resiliency of our local businesses. Equally important, our small businesses can use a hand to leverage capital, technology, and expertise to connect to the highest markets in the world today.”
  • A living wage: “$15 minimum wage is the essential starting line to secure that all Americans can put food on the table day in and day out. I support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.”

       

Heather R. Mizeur — Democrat

www.heathermizeur.com

“My top priority as your congresswoman will always be the economy first.

Here is my plan:

  • Reining in inflation and lowering costs: Address the inflation that is raising everyday costs for working families.
  • Tax relief for small businesses and support for the middle class: Reduce economic and regulatory pressures on small businesses. Recognize that a strong middle class fuels growth.
  • Make more on the Shore — Manufacturing and construction: Create conditions for more manufacturing and construction jobs in our communities.
  • 21st Century skills — Workforce training and education: Teach job skills that will match the needs of employers.
  • Housing and community development: Provide access to quality and affordable housing in safe and healthy communities as the foundation for all other economic and social activities.
  • Infrastructure: Seize historic investment opportunities for broadband, ports, roads, bridges, freight rail, public transit, airports, wastewater, and utilities.
  • Agriculture and forestry: Partner with ag innovators to increase market opportunities for next-level local foods, products, services, and curated experiences.
  • Commercial fishing and aquaculture: Strengthen commercial fishing and aquaculture to help each grow and thrive for generations to come.
  • Arts and culture: Recognize the role arts and humanities can play as a catalyst for tourism, jobs, and regional economic growth.
  • Defense and cybersecurity: Provide support for growing defense technologies and create new defense and cybersecurity jobs in the First District.”

 

 

Peter Heck is a Chestertown-based writer and editor, who spent 10 years at the Kent County News and three more with the Chestertown Spy. He is the author of 10 novels and co-author of four plays, a book reviewer for Asimov’s and Kirkus Reviews, and an incorrigible guitarist.

 

Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

It’s Not Your Grandfather’s Department of Justice

By John Christie • December 16, 2025
When I practiced law, much of my litigation involved issues arising under federal antitrust laws. The Department of Justice (DOJ) was my frequent adversary in court. In some cases, DOJ challenged a client’s conduct as anticompetitive. In others, they claimed an intended client merger would create a monopoly. Some of these DOJ court battles were won, others were not. Overall, I had great respect for DOJ lawyers. They were professional, well prepared, and dedicated to their mission of seeing justice done. They were courteous, honest, and forthright with the courts before which we argued our cases. In those days, without resorting to social media or press conferences, the DOJ spoke entirely through its court filings. Although as an advocate I took issue with various DOJ investigatory decisions as well as decisions to initiate litigation, I never thought politics was involved. Post-Watergate internal rules strictly limited communication with any figures at the White House. Not so, it seems, anymore. Beginning last January 20, all of this changed rapidly and spectacularly . On March 14, Trump triumphantly arrived at the main DOJ building in D.C. to be welcomed by a group of carefully selected VIPs. He was greeted by Pam Bondi, his chosen new attorney general, who exclaimed, “We are so proud to work at the directive (sic) of Donald Trump.” Bondi’s boast that the DOJ now worked at the president’s behest was something never said before and, in effect, surrendered the department’s long and proud independence. And Bondi’s comment was not an empty gesture. As chronicled by reporters Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis in their new book, Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America’s Justice Department , within hours of being sworn in, Trump and his lieutenants began punishing those at the Justice Department who had investigated him or those he considered his political enemies. Career attorneys with years of experience under many administrations were fired or reassigned to lesser work, or they resigned. As Leonnig and Davis report, what followed was “the wholesale overthrow of the Justice Department as Trump insert[ed] his dutiful former defense attorneys and 2020 election deniers atop the department.” [Source: Injustice , p. xix.] In the place of years of experience, the new team appears credentialed simply by loyalty to the president’s causes. The DOJ’s conduct in court has since caused damage to judicial and public faith in the integrity and competence of the department. Just Security is an independent, non-partisan, daily digital law and policy journal housed in the Reiss Center on Law and Security at the New York University School of Law. Since January 20, it has documented federal judicial concerns about DOJ conduct. In 26 cases, judges raised questions about DOJ non-compliance with judicial orders and in more than 60 cases, judges expressed distrust of government-provided information and representations. This count was taken the day after a federal court dismissed the DOJ cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. [Source: Just Security , “The ‘Presumption of Regularity’ in Trump Administration Litigation,” Nov. 20, 2025.] As summarized by the Georgetown Law Center’s Steve Vladeck, “It’s one thing for the Department of Justice to so transparently pursue a politically motivated prosecution. But this one has been beset from the get-go with errors that remotely competent law students wouldn’t make. Indeed, it seems a virtual certainty that the Keystone Kops-like behavior of the relevant government lawyers can be traced directly to the political pressure to bring this case; there’s a reason why no prosecutors with more experience, competence, or integrity were willing to take it on.” [Source: One First , Nov. 24, 2025.] Rather than accept criticism and instead of trying to do better, Bondi’s DOJ and the Trump administration lash out in a fashion apparently aimed at demeaning the federal judiciary. At a recent Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s former defense attorneys, attributed the Trump administration’s myriad losses in the lower federal courts to “rogue activist judges.” He added, “There’s a group of judges that are repeat players, and that’s obviously not by happenstance, that’s intentional, and it’s a war, man.” Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller decries each adverse ruling against the Trump administration as just part of a broader “judicial insurrection.” Not to be left behind, Trump himself regularly complains of “radical left lunatic” judges. In addition to the harm these comments inflict on the federal courts, their premise is simply not true. According to a survey by Vladeck, as of Nov. 14, there were 204 cases in which federal district courts have ruled on requests for preliminary relief against the Trump administration. In 154 of them, district judges granted either a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or both. Those 154 rulings came from 121 district judges appointed by seven presidents (including President Trump) in 29 district courts. In the 154 cases with rulings adverse to the Trump administration, 41 were presided over by 30 Republican-appointed judges, fully half of whom were appointed by President Trump. No, it is no longer your grandfather’s Department of Justice. 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.

Salisbury City Council Appoints Melissa Holland to Fill District 2 Seat

By CSES Staff • December 16, 2025
The Salisbury City Council has appointed longtime public servant Melissa D. Holland to fill the vacancy in District 2. Holland was selected on Dec. 1 after the council reviewed several applicants. A 27-year resident of Salisbury, Holland brings more than 20 years of experience in government, education, and administration. As executive assistant to the president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, she currently oversees operations, budgeting, communications, and planning. Before joining UMCES, Holland worked for nearly 11 years with the Wicomico County Council, gaining extensive experience in legislative procedure, constituent services, research, and budget preparation. Her background includes positions with the Wicomico County Board of Education, the State of Maryland’s Holly Center, and multiple early-learning programs. Approved by a 3-1 council vote, Holland was selected based on her administrative expertise and long-standing community involvement. (Salisbury’s City Council is now comprised of only women.) She has a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Post University and an associate degree from Wor-Wic Community College. She has also served as PTA president at East Salisbury Elementary and Wicomico Middle School. In her application, Holland emphasized her commitment to maintaining transparency in city government and ensuring that District 2 residents remain informed and represented. “I plan to be well-informed on the issues that matter to the citizens of Salisbury and to listen to their concerns carefully,” she wrote. “I want to make a positive and lasting impact on our city.” Holland’s appointment restores the City Council to full membership as it faces debates over budgeting, infrastructure planning, and local governance initiatives. She is expected to begin constituent outreach immediately and participate fully in the selection of the next council president.

Democrats Ambushed in Hurlock Election

By CSES Staff • November 4, 2025
Voters in Hurlock have delivered sweeping changes in this year’s municipal election, as Republican and GOP-aligned candidates won key races there. The results mark a setback for Democrats and a significant political shift in a community that has historically leaned Democratic in state and federal contests. The outcome underscores how local organizing and turnout strategies can have an outsized impact in small-town elections. Analysts also suggest that long-term party engagement in municipal contests could shape voter alignment in future county and state races. Political analysts warn that ignoring municipal elections and ceding them to the GOP could hurt the Maryland Democratic Party in statewide politics. Turnout increased by approximately 17% compared with the 2021 municipal election, reflecting heightened local interest in the mayoral and council races. Incumbent Mayor Charles Cephas, a Democrat, was soundly defeated by At-Large Councilmember Earl Murphy, who won with roughly 230 votes to Cephas’s 144. In the At-Large Council race, Jeff Smith, an independent candidate backed by local Republicans, secured a 15-point win over Cheyenne Chase. In District 2, Councilmember Bonnie Franz, a Republican, was re-elected by 40 percentage points over challenger Zia Ashraf, who previously served on the Dorchester Democratic Central Committee. The only Democrat to retain a seat on the council was David Higgins, who was unopposed. The Maryland Republican Party invested resources and campaign attention in the Hurlock race, highlighting it on statewide social media and dispatching party officials, including Maryland GOP Chair Nicole Beus Harris, to campaign. Local Democrats emphasized support for Mayor Cephas through the Dorchester County Democratic Central Committee, but the Maryland Democratic Party did not appear to participate directly.

Giordano Sides with Ehrlich Over Hogan, Underscoring GOP Rift as Moore Widens Lead

By CSES Staff • November 4, 2025
In what political observers are calling a clear break from Maryland’s moderate Republican establishment, Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano chose former Gov. Bob Ehrlich — not former Gov. Larry Hogan — as the guest of honor at her re-election fundraiser in late October. Billed as Giordano’s annual Harvest Party, her event drew conservative activists from across the lower Eastern Shore and featured Ehrlich as keynote speaker. This was immediately read by insiders as a signal that Giordano will embrace the party’s right-wing base ahead of 2026, distancing herself from Hogan’s more centrist, bipartisan image. “Bringing in Bob Ehrlich instead of Larry Hogan wasn’t accidental,” one longtime Republican strategist said. “It shows Giordano wants to plant her flag with the MAGA-aligned wing of the party, the same voters who now dominate Maryland’s Republican primary base.” Hogan, who has hinted at another run for governor, was notably absent from this year’s Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Somerset County, a high-profile gathering long considered essential for statewide contenders. Coupled with Giordano’s public alignment with Ehrlich, Hogan’s absence has fueled speculation that his influence within Maryland’s GOP is slipping. Those doubts were amplified by new polling data. A statewide survey commissioned by the Baltimore Banner found Gov. Wes Moore (D) leading Hogan 45% to 37% in a hypothetical 2026 matchup, with 14% undecided. The poll, conducted by phone and web from Oct. 7–10 among more than 900 registered voters, carries a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. The results suggest that while Hogan remains popular among moderates and independents, Moore continues to hold a firm advantage statewide, particularly among Democrats and younger voters. Giordano’s decision to align herself with Ehrlich rather than Hogan further illustrates the ideological divide defining Maryland Republicans heading into 2026. As the party drifts further to the right, analysts say Hogan’s brand of pragmatic centrism may no longer have a natural home in today’s GOP. For now, Ehrlich’s appearance in Salisbury is being seen as a symbolic moment, one that cements Giordano’s status as a leading figure in the state’s Trump-aligned movement and underscores how quickly the political winds have shifted. For Hogan, once seen as the Republican best positioned to reclaim the governor’s office, that shift may mark the end of an era.

New Congressional Map for Maryland and District 1?

By Jan Plotczyk • November 4, 2025
Can Maryland create a new congressional map that will flip the state’s sole Republican district to the Democrats? Gov. Wes Moore has created a Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting and Maryland has jumped into the redistricting fray. The commission will conduct public hearings, solicit public feedback, and present recommendations to the governor and Maryland General Assembly. “My commitment has been clear from day one — we will explore every avenue possible to make sure Maryland has fair and representative maps,” said Moore. “And we also need to make sure that, if the president of the United States is putting his finger on the scale to try to manipulate elections because he knows that his policies cannot win in a ballot box, then it behooves each and every one of us to be able to keep all options on the table to ensure that the voters’ voices can actually be heard .” Moore’s commission is one of those options — a response to Trump’s call to Republican-led states to create more GOP House districts before the 2026 midterm elections. Three GOP states — Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina — have completed a Trump gerrymander for a gain of seven seats and three more states — Indiana, Utah, and Ohio — could create new maps with a total of four additional Republican seats. That would make 11, should they withstand challenges. Democratic-led states made a lot of noise at first about countering these GOP efforts, but only California and Virginia have campaigns for new maps underway. California wants to flip five seats and Virginia hopes for up to four. Optimistically, that could add up to as many as nine. Maryland’s goal would be to add one Democratic seat. Other states on both sides could soon follow, in some cases taking advantage of existing redistricting deadlines or ongoing litigation. Maryland State Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Balto City) is not in favor of mid-cycle redistricting, calling it too dicey. “Simply put, it is too risky and jeopardizes Maryland’s ability to fight against the radical Trump administration. At a time where every seat in Congress matters, the potential for ceding yet another one to Republicans here in Maryland is simply too great,” Ferguson wrote in a letter to Senate Democrats. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD01), whose district would be targeted by redistricting, called the effort "the most partisan thing you could do." He whined, “It just wouldn’t be fair.” Harris warned that any redistricting could backfire on the Democrats. “We will take this to court, it will go as high as necessary, and in the end, a judge could draw a map that actually has two or three Republican congressmen,” Harris said. “I’d caution the Democrats, be careful what you wish for.” Harris and his wife, Maryland GOP Chair Nicole Beus Harris, have perhaps already worked out a strategy. The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission, last constituted by Gov. Martin O’Malley in 2011, will begin its work this month. The five-member commission includes: Chair: Senator Angela Alsobrooks Senate President Bill Ferguson or designee Speaker Adrienne A. Jones or designee Former Attorney General Brian Frosh Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss “We have a president that treats our democracy with utter contempt. We have a Republican party that is trying to rig the rules in response to their terrible polling,” said Sen. Alsobrooks. “Let me be clear: Maryland deserves a fair map that represents the will of the people. That’s why I’m proud to chair this commission. Our democracy depends on all of us standing up in this moment.” Will Maryland’s First District finally be competitive? Can we at long last replace “AWOL Andy” Harris? Stay tuned…. 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.

Residents Turn Out for Offshore Wind Information Session

By CSES Staff • November 4, 2025
In strong numbers, local residents turned out last month for a community information session on offshore wind hosted by the Alliance for Offshore Wind at the Ocean Pines library. The forum heard from industry experts, environmental advocates, and labor leaders to discuss how offshore wind projects can support jobs, clean energy, and coastal resilience along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Featured were Sam Saluto of Oceantic, Jim Strong of the United Steelworkers, Ron Larsen of Sea Ink Solutions, and Jim Brown of the Audubon Society, all of whom emphasized the long-term environmental and economic benefits of wind development off Maryland’s coast. Speakers outlined how the project, once completed, is expected to create hundreds of high-paying jobs, generate clean power for tens of thousands of homes, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels that cause pollution and coastal erosion. “The potential here is extraordinary,” said Saluto, highlighting Oceantic’s ongoing work to ensure safety and sustainability standards remain at the highest level. “We’re not just talking about wind turbines. We’re talking about revitalizing local economies and protecting the Shore’s way of life.” Union representative Jim Strong echoed that sentiment, noting that Maryland’s labor community sees offshore wind as a chance to rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity while giving workers access to strong wages and long-term stability. Environmental voices, including Jim Brown of the Audubon Society, focused on how properly sited wind projects can reduce carbon emissions while coexisting with marine wildlife and migratory bird patterns. While most of the evening centered on data and community questions, the event briefly turned tense when Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, who is leading a lawsuit challenging Maryland’s offshore wind plans, attempted to question the panel. The mayor appeared to lose his train of thought mid-sentence and later cast doubt on the reality of climate change, drawing visible concern from several attendees. Meehan, a New Yorker who moved to Ocean City in 1971 and has held public office since 1985, has become one of the region’s most vocal opponents of offshore wind. His critics argue the lawsuit represents an effort to stall progress rather than engage with the facts presented by energy, labor, and environmental experts. Despite the brief exchange, the overall tone of the evening was forward-looking. Residents lingered after the formal discussion to review informational materials, speak with industry representatives, and learn about opportunities for community involvement. For many, the message was clear: Maryland’s transition to clean energy is not only feasible, it’s already underway, and the Eastern Shore stands to benefit.
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