Thank You

Heather Mizeur • November 22, 2022

Dearest friends,

This is a long message but one I have written directly from my heart and it would mean so much to me if you would take a moment to give yourself to these words.

I have had many aspects of my life — from my faith to my patriotism — shaped by a dedication to core values and principles. Our campaign has been no different. From the beginning of this race, I was upfront with you about the set of beliefs and values that would always guide our action. Exactly one year ago, I shared with you a framework for what our collective mission statement would always be:

My campaign for Congress is about more than winning an election.

It is about building a community where everyone belongs.
It is guided by honesty, integrity, wisdom, and truth.
It is driven by service and served by purpose.
It is infused with courage, compassion, and resolute strength.
It is dedicated to the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity.
It is people-powered.
We are bold, fearless, and dignified.
We walk with honor and humility.
We put our values into deliberate action.
We choose love over fear; connection over division.
We believe in the goodness of the human spirit and the magnitude of the human heart.
We rise above partisanship to forge consensus, to make progress, and to deliver results for the common good.
#WeAreOne

I am so proud that we lived into this way of being for the entirety of our campaign.

Our Mizeur Volunteer Corps partnered with charities and non-profit organizations to participate in meaningful community service projects throughout the First District.

Our “Heather in the Hot Seat” house parties with Republicans and independents invited dialogue that helped us transcend partisanship to find the heart of humanity again.

Our EconomyFirst and Agri-Climate plans were forged through consensus from stakeholder engagement and written with your ideas, dreams, desires, and vision at the table.

Our grassroots army of donors and volunteers lifted the mission of our work to the front doors, living rooms, computers screens, and mailboxes of voters in every corner of our district.

We raised great money, had amazing ads, wrote the best policy plans, won both debates, and had some of the most excited and energized volunteers I have ever known in politics.

And still, we came up short. But not by as much as the current vote tally indicates — about a quarter of votes cast in our race (most of them mail-in ballots and many expected to be Democratic) have not yet been counted (ed. note: all votes are now counted). But though our percentage of overall votes won is expected to improve, it will not be by enough to win this election.

It’s never easy to lose after putting so much of yourself on the line. But I was never driven only by the outcome. I always held on to the purpose of the journey. Traitors to our country must be held accountable. Lazy representation must be challenged. Extreme, radical, and dangerous ideology must be met with the clarity of truth and the strength of integrity. Division and fear must be countered by love and connection.

Some might say that in losing, we achieved none of these goals.

I see a different ending to our story.

Winning an election was only one of our goals. Living into this mission statement — and thereby changing the culture of how we interact with each other— was an equally important calling.

And our work there has only begun.

I have shared with you a small number of stories that have exemplified the seeds we planted over this campaign. A few are worth repeating:

I met Shawn at a blues festival on Betterton Beach. Shawn’s a proud veteran and former intelligence analyst who had pretty much given up on the system he once fought to defend. He hadn’t voted in more than 15 years, because he was so discouraged by politicians who don’t listen and a system that seems not to care. I shared with Shawn my vision of a better way of doing politics, and this inspired him. He told me that my authentic and genuine desire to serve him and his family was restoring his faith. He told me: “You know what? I think it’s time to get engaged again.”

And then there was Brenda, a Trump supporter who stopped me to talk in a feed store parking lot. Brenda had a lot on her mind, and we didn’t agree on too much when it came to politics. But after we’d spoken for ten minutes, she started crying – and then asked me for a hug, saying, “I don’t think anyone’s ever listened to me like this.”

One of the most impactful stories of this campaign was meeting Robert, who lives outside Salisbury in Hebron. He’s a former military man who didn’t like a mailer we sent him, criticizing Andy Harris for voting against health care for veterans. Robert reached out to me on Facebook, boiling mad and calling me a liar. In fact, he was so angry at politicians and the system in general, he could imagine “burning down D.C.” I responded to Robert with an open heart and a willingness to listen – and let me tell you, that’s not what he was expecting. And then something happened that surprised us both. Before long we were chatting away like old pals, about everything from gardening and cooking tips to the need for more providers at VA medical facilities. Robert ended up with a “Republicans for Mizeur” sign on his lawn, and I’m proud to call him a new friend.

I want you to hear what Robert wrote about why he decided to back my campaign, after being a loyal conservative supporter of Andy Harris for many years. He said this: “I don’t see a Democrat but a fellow American who wants to make it work together. I hope we can really start a chain reaction and make things better than when we found it.” I find more wisdom in that than most of what comes out of Congress these days. In fact, in just 35 words, Robert somehow captured everything I’ve been talking about for the past 21 months. “I don’t see a Democrat” recognizes our insistence on getting past the partisanship that’s poisoning us. “Make it work together” reflects the spirit of collaboration and bridge-building at the center of our campaign’s unity coalition. And Robert’s closing words, “make things better than when we found it,” just about says it all. It’s the main reason to get up in the morning. It’s why we keep going even when the work is hard, the hours are long, and we are not guaranteed the outcome we desire.

But as a farmer, I know a thing or two about sowing seeds. It takes a while for them to be ready for the harvest. We must tend them, offer the right soil conditions, water them, and get enough light for them to grow.

Democracy, like everything, will die without the right conditions. If too many stray from engaging in a contest of ideas and putting themselves into the process, then our entire experiment dedicated to “of the people, by the people, for the people” will perish. It’s foolhardy to tell yourself a story that any one candidate is the reason for democracy to thrive or that any one election will determine its fate. Democracy isn’t what happens inside the Congress. Democracy is what happens inside our conversations, with each other. We must own it. We cannot give our power and engagement away. We must be inspired to put ourselves into the messy and beautiful task of staying connected to each other. Democracy is a practice of waking up every day and being willing to talk to your neighbors with curiosity, compassion, and non-judgmental love to keep this country and all we love about it connected to the goodness of who we all are deep inside the wisdom of our hearts.

If I opened that for you in any way along this path, then the tears I have cried this morning are only about what we have created and what is to come rather than what could have been.

Our seeds were planted on this journey. I hope you will shine your light on them to make sure they grow. I will be there with you for the harvest.

With all of my love and gratitude,

Heather

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Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

US Wind, Oceantic Pitch Offshore Wind Future Amid Trump Attacks

By Jan Plotczyk • September 10, 2025

At Shore Progress’s monthly meeting last week, the tension between national politics and local opportunity was on full display. With President Donald Trump escalating his attacks on offshore wind, representatives from US Wind and the Oceantic Network made their case directly to members gathered in Salisbury. From the outset, the presenters stressed the scale of what’s coming to the Eastern Shore. “This project is the equivalent of building two nuclear power plants off our coast,” US Wind representative Dave Wilson said, pointing to plans for 114 turbines and four offshore substations. Together, he said, the project will generate two net gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 26% of the homes in Maryland. The presentation walked members through the timeline: a four-phase buildout beginning in the southeast corner of the lease area, with each phase, including its own export cable, routed through Indian River Bay into the regional grid at the Indian River Power Plant in Delaware. Environmental safeguards on display Slides showed how US Wind plans to minimize negative effects on wildlife. The company will use an aircraft detection lighting system to keep turbines dark until a low-flying aircraft approaches, reducing night-sky light pollution. Marine protections include bubble curtains to dampen noise during pile driving, visual and acoustic monitoring for whales, and strict shutdown zones if animals enter construction areas. Lights will be on less than 1% of the time in any given year, underscoring their view that offshore wind can coexist with migratory birds, commercial fishing, and marine transit. Economic promise for the Shore The discussion turned quickly to what the project means locally. US Wind pledged hundreds of jobs for the Shore, with commitments to use union labor and partner with minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. Officials noted that the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance has already received $700,000 from Maryland Works for Wind to build training programs, while community colleges are adjusting trade curricula to educate the next generation of turbine technicians. A planned operations and maintenance facility in West Ocean City will house technicians and crew transfer vessels, bringing steady employment and infrastructure investment to the harbor. A national fight with local stakes The meeting didn’t shy away from politics. Several members noted Trump’s repeated attempts to derail offshore wind projects including his latest push to revoke US Wind’s federal permit. US Wind officials acknowledged that such lawsuits could delay progress but insisted that the project’s federal approvals are on solid ground. “This is the Eastern Shore's moment,” Shore Progress Chair Jared Schablein said, referring to a slide that showed more than $815 million in offshore wind investments statewide. “The question is whether politics will slow us down, or whether we keep building for the Shore’s future.” The presentation had a clear message: Offshore wind is not just about clean power, but also about jobs, investment, and opportunity for Eastern Shore families. 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.

Gov. Moore Signs “Housing Starts Here” Order to Tackle Maryland’s Affordability Crisis

By Gren Whitman • September 10, 2025

Standing at the Legacy at Twin Rivers apartment community in Howard County, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order aimed at addressing his state’s deepening housing crisis. Titled Housing Starts Here, his order is designed to accelerate construction of affordable homes and cut through what Moore called years of “no and slow” decision-making in state housing policy. Maryland is facing a shortage of at least 96,000 housing units, according to state estimates, a gap that officials say has driven up prices, pushed families out of the state, and stifled economic growth. “Building pathways to wealth for Marylanders, creating jobs, attracting new businesses and residents, growing our economy, and securing our future all start with housing,” Moore said at the signing. “We need to be the state of yes and now.” Five guiding principles The executive order lays out five core priorities for state housing policy: Use state land for housing . Agencies must identify surplus properties and land near transit stations that can be converted into new housing developments. Cut red tape. State permitting processes will be streamlined, with new rules allowing third-party reviewers to accelerate approvals. Strengthen partnerships. A new State Housing Ombudsman will serve as a liaison to help coordinate projects between state agencies, local governments, and developers. Set clear goals. By January 2026, the state will publish housing production targets for each county and update them every five years. Incentivize affordable housing. Jurisdictions that meet housing targets or pass pro-housing policies will be recognized with new Maryland Housing Leadership Awards, making them more competitive for state funding. Speed as the priority State officials said the new framework is focused on cutting delays that can hold back projects for years. By digitizing applications, engaging multiple agencies simultaneously, and allowing outside reviewers, the state aims to expedite project completion while upholding environmental and community standards. What could this mean for us on the Eastern Shore? Moore acknowledged that housing affordability consistently ranks as Marylanders’ No. 1 concern. For young people in particular, high costs and long commutes are major reasons they leave the state. The order seeks to reverse that trend, tying housing growth to job creation and transit access. On the Eastern Shore , where rental availability and starter homes are limited, Moore’s order could open opportunities for mixed-use, transit-oriented projects on state-owned land, as well as accelerate approval for affordable housing initiatives backed by nonprofits and local developers. What comes next The Department of Housing and Community Development will publish the state’s first set of production targets by Jan. 1, 2026, followed by annual progress reports starting in 2027. Agencies have until March 2026 to implement many of the new permitting and funding acceleration rules. Moore framed the executive order as a generational investment. “Making housing more affordable is not just about building shelter, it’s about building a legacy,” he said.

Alsobrooks Leads Push to Remove RFK Jr. From HHS, Citing “Costs, Chaos, and Corruption”

By Gren Whitman • September 10, 2025

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has intensified her calls for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down, releasing a detailed report that she says proves his tenure has been a disaster for American families. The first senator to demand Kennedy’s resignation in May, Alsobrooks joined Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in unveiling a 54-page report that chronicles what they describe as the “costly, chaotic, and corrupt” record of Kennedy’s first 203 days at the department. Released before Kennedy’s Senate hearing last week, the report outlines examples of alleged mismanagement for each day since he was sworn in on Feb. 13. “Robert Kennedy’s tenure as America’s chief health officer has been higher costs, more chaos, and boundless corruption,” Wyden said. “His actions are endangering children, leaving parents confused and scared, and forcing families and taxpayers to pay more for their health care.” Echoing that assessment, Alsobrooks cited testimony from scientists at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland who she says have watched critical cancer research grind to a halt under Kennedy’s leadership. “His actions are increasing Americans’ health care costs, causing chaos, and furthering the Trump administration’s endless stream of corruption,” she said. The report argues that Kennedy has: Driven up costs by backing the Trump administration’s budget plan, which Alsobrooks says strips health coverage from 15 million Americans while handing tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. Created chaos by dismantling HHS programs, undermining research institutions, and promoting vaccine misinformation. Engaged in corruption by using the office to advance personal and family financial interests, particularly around limiting vaccine access. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, praised Alsobrooks’ leadership. “President Trump and Senate Republicans made a grievous error when entrusting Kennedy with our nation’s health,” the group said in. “It is far past time that President Trump rectifies this error by firing Kennedy before more lives are unnecessarily put at risk.” Alsobrooks appeared on the Morning Joe TV show on to discuss the findings and to reiterate her demand that Kennedy resign or be removed. “This is about protecting families and protecting science,” she said. “Our nation’s health system cannot afford another day under Robert Kennedy’s reckless watch.” As a community organizer, journalist, administrator, project planner/manager, and consultant, Gren Whitman has led neighborhood, umbrella, public interest, and political committees and groups, and worked for civil rights and anti-war organizations.

Wicomico Officials Advance ICE Partnership Amid Community Opposition and Rising Concerns

By CSES Staff • September 10, 2025

Wicomico County leaders have announced plans to move forward with the federal government’s controversial 287(g) program, entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would deputize local officers to serve immigration warrants inside the county jail. Under the model selected, known as the Warrant Service Officer program, specially trained deputies at the detention center would be allowed to serve civil immigration warrants on individuals already in custody. County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis emphasized that deputies would not conduct street-level immigration enforcement. “Public safety is our top responsibility,” Giordano said. “The Warrant Service Officer program provides our sheriff’s office with the tools they need to address individuals already in custody who may pose a risk to our community at no additional cost to the county.” Lewis added that the program “gives our deputies the ability to safely and lawfully carry out their duties while ensuring that Wicomico County remains a secure place to live, work, and raise a family.” Community pushback The announcement drew swift opposition from civil rights and community organizations, including the ACLU of Maryland, the Wicomico NAACP, and local grassroots groups such as Crabs on the Shore, who have warned that the agreement will harm immigrant families, sow fear, and erode trust between residents and law enforcement. Opponents also criticized the process, arguing that the decision was rushed through without meaningful public input despite repeated calls for hearings. “This is being framed as an administrative detail, but it has huge consequences for our neighbors,” one advocate said. Concerns about cost and precedent Supporters of the WSO model have emphasized that the partnership comes “at no additional cost” to Wicomico taxpayers, but critics point out that other jurisdictions have found otherwise. Anne Arundel County canceled its own 287(g) agreement, citing high costs and community backlash. The Camden Police Department in Delaware withdrew from a similar partnership after public protests in May. Advocates note that the federal government does not fully reimburse counties for the time, training, and legal exposure associated with 287(g) programs, leaving local taxpayers to shoulder hidden expenses. First on Delmarva If finalized, Wicomico County would become the first government or police agency on the Delmarva Peninsula to formally enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Supporters say that distinction demonstrates a commitment to accountability and public safety. Opponents warn it risks branding the county as hostile to immigrant communities that have long been central to the Shore’s workforce, particularly in poultry processing and agriculture. The county’s decision comes amid a broader national debate about local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, with critics warning that partnerships like 287(g) make communities less safe by discouraging victims and witnesses from coming forward. For now, the final agreement is pending federal approval. But with strong opposition already mobilized, the fight over Wicomico’s new partnership is likely only beginning.

Wicomico Democrats Silent as County Leaders Advance ICE Agreement

By CSES Staff • September 10, 2025

Wicomico County Republicans have moved forward with an agreement to join the federal 287(g) program, aligning the county with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis are backing the program to train county officers at the detention center to help ICE identify non-citizens for deportation proceedings. The agreement has triggered strong pushback from immigrant advocates, civil rights groups, and community leaders who warn that this partnership will erode trust between residents and law enforcement, risk racial profiling, and allot local tax dollars to assist federal immigration enforcement. Yet amid the growing controversy, the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee has issued no response to the ICE agreement, even as residents voice frustration that the Democratic establishment’s silence has ceded the conversation to Republicans. Moreover, the Central Committee has remained silent with regard to recent comments by Democratic Councilwoman April Jackson, who told the Washington Post that the poultry industry should reduce its reliance on immigrant workers. Jackson also said, “a lot of Americans aren’t employed because the Haitians are taking our jobs.” Jackson’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism from immigrant advocates. For many residents, the Democratic leadership’s silence is as much of a concern as the county government’s new partnership with ICE. As the county waits for federal approval of the 287(g) agreement, the absence of a Democratic counterweight has left immigrant families and community organizers to carry the opposition on their own.

As Questions Swirl About County Executive Run, Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes to Host Community Conversation in Dorchester

By Community Desk • September 10, 2025

With speculation mounting that Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A) may run for County Executive for Wicomico County in 2026, the longtime Eastern Shore lawmaker will headline a Community Conversation in Dorchester County on Sept. 17 at 6 pm. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Democrats, the event will give residents the opportunity to hear Sample-Hughes speak about local priorities — schools, public safety, health care access, and economic development in the mid-Shore. Sample-Hughes, former Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, has represented portions of Wicomico and Dorchester counties for more than a decade. Her record includes bipartisan work on district projects, as well as efforts to expand health services and invest in infrastructure. Although organizers emphasize that the Sept. 17 gathering is not a campaign event, the timing has fueled interest. Political observers note that any appearance by Sample-Hughes will be closely watched as Democrats weigh potential challengers for County Executive in the upcoming cycle. The forum will include remarks from the delegate, followed by a question-and-answer session. Seating is available first-come, first-served and residents from across the Shore are encouraged to attend. Key details What: Community Conversation with Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes When: Sept. 17, 6 pm Where: Dorchester County, venue to be announced by organizers. Format: Remarks followed by audience Q&A Before her election to the House of Delegates, Sample-Hughes served on the Wicomico County Council. Should she enter the county executive race, many believe she would be a serious challenger to Republican incumbent Julie Giordano.