Diversity a Strength in Maryland

Dave Wang

Maryland is 42nd in size in the United States. On this small tract of land, however, we have the 19th highest population and two of the wealthiest counties in the nation (Montgomery and Howard). We also enjoy being one of the most diverse states in our country. 30% of Marylanders are African-American, 6% are Hispanic, and 6% are Asian American.

We are poised to join Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, and California as the only majority-minority states in the Union.

I've heard Governor O'Malley say on several occasions that diversity is Maryland's greatest strength. A diversity of informed voices in the conversation means more ideas, more innovation, and more solutions.

As Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) outreach for the Maryland Democratic Party, I see tremendous potential for growth of political activism for the AAPI community in our State. Over the past decade, Maryland's population has grown by about 7.6%. The AAPI community has grown by 32.8%. According to the US Census, the AAPI community is the fastest growing ethnic group in Maryland, slightly outpacing growth even of Hispanics.

And we vote Democrat.

According to a 2009 Gallup poll, while Americans tend to lean Democrat 49-41 (this changes on a weekly basis, but this figure serves as a good baseline for our purposes), AAPI lean Democrat 61-24. This staggering number puts AAPI behind only African Americans in progressive tendencies.

The Maryland Democratic Party wisely rolled out the "Diversity Leadership Councils" this year, which gives the ethnic groups of Maryland a permanent voice within the Party. The AAPI Leadership Council has Committees for Grassroots Outreach, Communications, Finance, and Membership.

The grassroots committee has completed over 2,000 calls on behalf of the Party and Governor O'Malley in Howard and Montgomery County, and organized three community meetings with attendance of over 200 individuals.

The communications committee puts out a monthly newsletter to our subscribers and submits articles to AAPI-specific media outlets, such as newspapers and radio shows.

The finance committee cultivates the community of AAPI donors and keeps and updated list of them. The membership committee focuses on recruiting new people to join the Council.

To find out more about us, to start a local chapter, or to get involved in Howard or Montgomery County, email dave.wang.maryland@gmail.com. For press inquiries, please contact Co-Director Cezar Lopez at cezar.campaign@gmail.com.

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Editor's Note: Dave Wang is Director
Asian American Outreach
Maryland Democratic Party/Coordinated Campaign
http://www.mddems.org/your-party/diversity-leadership-council

Questions Surround Ehrlich Pick of Kane as Running Mate

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, in a much ballyhooed Facebook announcement, named Mary Kane as his Lt. Governor running mate. Former Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich is running against Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley to try to reclaim his office. The Baltimore Sun has more here.

Ehrlich's "friendlier to business" theme took on a new meaning with the selection of Kane whose family run business is currently being sued for fraudulent billing on government contracts.

The Kane Co. is being sued for double billing labor and fuel costs on government contracts, failing to pay fair wages and inflating prices.

Upon hearing the news of the selection, Susan Turnbull; chair of the Maryland Democratic Party issued this statement:

"Bob Ehrlich has some pretty serious questions to answer about his vetting process for this position since Mary Kane and her husband's company has been under investigation since 2008 when the Bush Department of Justice joined a Federal False Claims Act lawsuit against The Kane Company for defrauding federal taxpayers."

This announcement comes after Ehrlich said he wanted to pay Department of Economic and Business Development (DBED) employees bonuses for bringing businesses to Maryland. A dangerous practice that could lead to less than favorable state offered incentives to businesses to locate here in order for the employee to earn a bonus.

Mary Kane first served (2003-2006) under the Ehrlich administration as Deputy Secretary of State and chief legal counsel before becoming Secretary of State in August 2005.

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MDP Chair Susan Turnbull Guest on "All Things Political with George Wenschhof"

George Wenschhof

I am pleased to have Maryland Democratic Party Chair; Susan Turnbull as my guest on the premier of "All Things Political with George Wenschhof". The show will air weekly on Mondays right here on my website. In addition to local, state and federal elected officials, my guests will include candidates for office and community activists.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Ms. Turnbull. It is easy to see why she is in the position she is in as she is both well informed and very likable. During the show, Ms. Turnbull talks about the upcoming elections in the state of Maryland and the Maryland coordinated campaign. She goes on to discuss races they have targeted such as the Maryland 1st Congressional district where Democratic incumbent Frant Kratavil will likely face Republican Andy Harris.

My next guest will be Frederick County, Maryland Sheriff Chuck Jenkins (R) and the following week my guest will be Frederick County, Maryland Board of Commissioners President Jan Gardner (D).

We hope you enjoy the program. We also want to hear feedback and suggestions from you. If you have a comment you would like to share with us, please leave it by clicking on "Comment" below or by sending me an email at GeorgeWenschhof@gmail.com

To schedule an appearance on the show, place an advertisement or send a donation to help pay for production costs, also email me at GeorgeWenschhof@gmail.com



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Cryor to Step Down as Chair of the MD Democratic Party

George Wenschhof Bio

The Maryland Democratic Party sent out a press release late afternoon making official what the Baltimore Sun Blog had reported yesterday. Michael Cryor was stepping down as chair of the Maryland Democratic Party after serving eighteen months in the position.

Mr. Cryor's ties with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley go back to O'Malley's campaigns for Mayor of Baltimore.

The chair of the Maryland Democratic Party does not receive income and the Baltimore Sun pointed out his resignation would avoid any potential conflict of interest that may occur with clients he may work with in his role as a public relations executive.

The Baltimore Sun Blog entry by David Nitkin also indicated Quincey Gamble who is the Executive Director for the Maryland Democratic Party may also resign to pursue opportunities in the incoming Obama administration.

Mr. Cryor was fortunate to serve during the recent Presidential campaign which contributed to record increases of registered voters in the Democratic Party. Maryland was also able to add another Democratic Congressman when Frank Kratovil won in the first district. Seven of the eight districts in the state of Maryland are now represented by Democrats. The lone exception is the sixth district in western Maryland represented by Republican Roscoe Bartlett.

He is currently the only African-American chair of a state Democratic Party and his last day will be January 31, 2009. In his resignation letter to Governor O'Malley, he indicated he wanted to step down following the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President elect Joe Biden.

Mr. Cryor also said "I want to thank Gov. O'Malley, the people of Maryland and the Maryland Democratic Party for the honor and privilege of serving them in such a capacity. This entire experience has truly been one of the most rewarding and important moments of my life."

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