Showing posts with label black politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black politics. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Rep. Mia Love loses to Democrat in Utah

Final vote counts Tuesday showed that Democrat Ben McAdams did not jump the gun when he declared victory a day earlier over two-term Republican Rep. Mia Love.

He won by 694 votes, or a margin of 50.129 percent to 49.871. That margin of 0.258 was just barely outside the 0.25 percent that would have allowed Love to request a recount.

Love, the only black female Republican in the House, was expected to issue a statement later about the race. Her staff said she is out of state for Thanksgiving, and would not give any interviews until after the holiday.

McAdams’ victory means House Democrats will hold at least 234 seats as the majority party in January when the new Congress is sworn in.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

It's not a blue wave that's coming in the midterm elections — it's a black wave

But besides the blue wave roiling America, there is a very real black wave. And both political parties need to pay attention.

In one of the most historic election years in memory — besides the year a young U.S. senator from Chicago became the first African-American president and the year a pompous reality TV star and coddled businessman became the 45th — the American political landscape may drastically change.

Democrat Ayanna Pressley could become the first black female elected to Congress from Massachusetts.

Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams could become the first black female governor America has ever had.

Democrat Andrew Gillum could become the first black governor of Florida.

Democrat Ben Jealous could become the first black governor of Maryland by besting a popular Republican opponent. It’s a long shot, but most voters in Maryland are Democrats.

So while much has been made of the blue wave making its way across America, we better pay attention to the black wave.

But besides the blue wave roiling America, there is a very real black wave. And both the Democratic and Republican parties, which have been tone-deaf to the disdain many Americans feel for traditional politics, better wake up.

SOURCE: USA TODAY]

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, ends her campaign for the Democratic nomination for Maryland governor

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) has been hospitalized for treatment of a bacterial infection, his office confirmed Friday hours after his wife, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, ended her campaign for the Democratic nomination for Maryland governor.

Cummings was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital on Dec. 29 with a bacterial infection in his knee, according to a statement released by his office. Doctors drained the infection Friday during a “minor procedure,” according to the statement, and added that he is “resting comfortably and expects a full recovery.”

Rockeymoore Cummings, a policy consultant, cited “personal considerations” in dropping out of the race Friday.

Rockeymoore Cummings, the second woman and the last of eight candidates to enter the crowded race, launched her campaign three months ago.

“Making a positive and direct contribution to the state of Maryland and to our nation was my greatest motivating factor for stepping into the public arena,” Cummings said in a statement. “Unfortunately due to personal considerations, I am suspending my bid for governor of Maryland.”

“Making a positive and direct contribution to the state of Maryland and to our nation was my greatest motivating factor for stepping into the public arena,” Cummings said in a statement. “Unfortunately due to personal considerations, I am suspending my bid for governor of Maryland.”

Rockeymoore Cummings has worked in politics as a staffer on Capitol Hill and for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation but was not widely known in state politics. The bid for governor was her first run for public office. As a small-business owner, Rockeymoore focused her campaign on addressing economic inequality.

[SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST]

Thursday, January 04, 2018

Black Republicans say Omarosa blocked them from White House jobs.

Black Republicans claim Omarosa blocked them from jobs in order to maintain her status as the “only African American woman… senior staff and assistant to the president” as she described herself on ABC. Her actual White House title has been assistant to the president and director of communications in the White House Office of Public Liaison.

But her actual job description appears not to have been clearly defined. In interviews with the Trice Edney News Wire Black Republicans blame her for blocking Black job applicants from the Trump administration – including Republican stalwart Kay Coles James, who was appointed Dec. 19 as the first African-American and first woman president of the conservative Heritage Foundation.

“I was blocked personally. Essentially, my file was pulled and I wasn’t deemed pro-Trump enough,” says Eugene Craig. “The official excuse was that I wasn’t pro-Trump enough although I was the sitting chair of the Maryland Republican Party.”

Sources said because of President Trump’s need for loyalty, that attribute – loyalty – was among the top considerations for key White House positions. Craig admits that he was a “never Trumper all the way”, but that was during the campaign. Craig says he noticed that when the time came for consideration for jobs and the broad banner of Republicanism, White never-Trumpers were given consideration where African Americans were not.

“The flood gates were opened, but Omarosa held all of us to a different standard. She had say over a lot of the Black resumes. I know for a fact from promises that she made us directly.”

Craig says a January conference call with the Republican National Committee and Trump transition team was held “specifically for African American activists and party loyalists.” He said, “During the middle of the call, she jumped on and bogarted on. And she came in and she made us these promises that this would be the most diverse administration in history. And she’ll help us with whatever we need and wherever we wanted to go into government and to shoot our resumes over to her and she gave us her official transition email. She said this administration has a goal of having 25 percent minority hiring. They wanted 25 percent of the work force to be Black and Hispanic…So she positioned herself as the end all be all for Black things; for Black people in the administration,” Craig said.

Ayshia Connors, a former deputy director of African American engagement at the Republican National Committee, now a senior advisor to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), agrees. She describes an initiative by The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and Insight America, an organization headed by former Republican Congressman J. C. Watts:

“There were hundreds, probably thousands of resumes of qualified individuals in the Black community that were ready and prepared to go into any administration no matter who won the election. And when President Trump got elected, all of those names were submitted and Omarosa literally trashed those names. Nobody got a call back. Nobody got an interview. Nobody was every heard about again. People tried to go in. People were eager and willing to serve the President, willing to serve our country. But Omarosa, she didn’t want other Black Republicans there. She wanted to be the big shot. She wanted to be the only one. And so, everybody kind of just decided it wasn’t worth our times to keep dealing with it. And so, by February, people had just moved on from Omarosa and dealing with the White House and decided to start working with Congress and dealing some other policy matters.”

Connors added that Kay Coles James, former Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Virginia Republican Gov. George Allen and director for the United States Office of Personnel Management under President George W. Bush, received the same treatment.

“She was willing and prepared to go back into the government and to help the administration. But Omarosa was such a distraction and created so much drama and confusion that Ms. James just decided not to engage it anymore. So that’s what ended up happening. That’s why you only saw Omarosa as a senior Black Republican in the White House.”

In a brief interview with James upon her appointment as president of the Heritage Foundation, James was clear about why she did not go to work in the Trump White House.

“When Donald Trump said that he wanted to improve the urban areas and that he wanted to make the lives of minorities in this country better, I said, wow, if he wants to do that, I genuinely want to be a part of that and I was excited and hopeful the opportunity to come in,” she said. “But that opportunity never really afforded itself. I am told that I was blocked…I don’t have specifics about how that happened, but I was extremely disappointed that I didn’t have the opportunity to serve there.”

Connors said the clearest evidence that Omarosa was not going to work with other Black Republicans came in February when Omarosa was in charge of pulling together the Black History Month program for President Trump.

“During Black History Month, these credible Republicans such as Kay Coles James and J. C. Watts and Elroy Sailor, they tried to engage Omarosa.” Instead, Omarosa put an event together that included her personal picks of African-Americans, including Black Democrats, Connors said.

“She didn’t invite any of the prominent Black Republicans. In fact, we had folks calling us from the White House calling and saying, ‘Why aren’t your names on the list for this event?’ It was very evident from the beginning that she wasn’t going to work with us and that she was just going to do her own thing.”

Connors cited another event for Vice President Pence that was planned by Black Republicans to be held at West Point. “That was another example of Omarosa using her position in the White House to block that event as well. And that was actually the turning point for Black Republicans. We decided she was just too distracting too disruptive and we decided to focus our efforts elsewhere.”

On the record sources willing to speak in defense of Omarosa were difficult to find. But, high placed Republican sources say it is not possible that Omarosa could have made such powerful decisions without oversight in the White House – most likely the President himself. Other high Republican sources said James was offered positions, but Omarosa fought against any Black staff appointment that would be above her own.

Yet another rationale for why some Black Republicans seeking employment were rejected may have been because they had left the Republican National Committee Headquarters in protest against treatment by then RNC Chairman Reince Priebus nearing the end of the presidential campaign. Priebus then became President Trump’s first chief of staff and was likely adverse to hiring the same staffers who had left the RNC, one source said.

Christopher Metzler, an active member of the Black GOP Coalition, who has long worked Republican policy and strategy, had one answer when asked why there were no long time Black Republicans hired as White House staff. “It’s very simple. Omarosa,” he said.

“Somebody like Kay [Coles James] who could serve as a whisperer in the President’s ear like a Condoleezza Rice; like a Valerie Jarrett, was never given that opportunity. There was a lot of back and forth pertaining to that. And Kay said, “Well, it is not going to serve the President well for me to try to cut through this thicket. And as a result of that, she did not push it any further.”

Metzler concluded, “All of these things were blocked by Omarosa. At the end of the day, Omarosa is first and foremost a Democrat. She is not a conservative. She is not a Republican. She never has been. She is simply an opportunist. And that’s where we ended up.”

[Omarosa’s Final Days at White House Full of Controversy, Accusations]

Sunday, November 19, 2017

LaToya Cantrell elected mayor of New Orleans

LaToya Cantrell was coasting to victory and into the history books on Saturday, becoming New Orleans’ first female mayor. With more than a third of the voters counted, she was on the way to a resounding win against her opponent, former Judge Desiree Charbonnet who, despite a substantial early fundraising edge, could not recover from political action committee attacks that largely did the political dirty work and allowed Cantrell to keep her hands clean.

With a sizable mandate, Cantrell will take over as New Orleans’ 51st mayor as the city marks the 300th anniversary of its founding.

"Almost 300 years, my friends, and New Orleans, we're still making history," Cantrell said to supporters at New Orleans Jazz Market in Central City.

Cantrell told the crowd she had spoken to Charbonnet over the phone and congratulated her on making history. "Our history was two women making that runoff, and we both deserve to be proud of that," Cantrell said.

Cantrell started the race as an against-the-odds candidate who struggled to raise money early in the race. She finally broke out of the fundraising slump once she topped Charbonnet by nine points in the Oct. 14 primary.

Read more: LaToya Cantrell elected New Orleans' first female mayor

Sunday, November 05, 2017

Must Read: We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates

“We were eight years in power” was the lament of Reconstruction-era black politicians as the American experiment in multiracial democracy ended with the return of white supremacist rule in the South. In this sweeping collection of new and selected essays, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the tragic echoes of that history in our own time: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a vicious backlash that fueled the election of the man Coates argues is America’s “first white president.”

But the story of these present-day eight years is not just about presidential politics. This book also examines the new voices, ideas, and movements for justice that emerged over this period—and the effects of the persistent, haunting shadow of our nation’s old and unreconciled history. Coates powerfully examines the events of the Obama era from his intimate and revealing perspective—the point of view of a young writer who begins the journey in an unemployment office in Harlem and ends it in the Oval Office, interviewing a president.

We Were Eight Years in Power features Coates’s iconic essays first published in The Atlantic, including “Fear of a Black President,” “The Case for Reparations,” and “The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration,” along with eight fresh essays that revisit each year of the Obama administration through Coates’s own experiences, observations, and intellectual development, capped by a bracingly original assessment of the election that fully illuminated the tragedy of the Obama era. We Were Eight Years in Power is a vital account of modern America, from one of the definitive voices of this historic moment.

Check Out The Book

Hardcover---------- Paperback---------- Kindle

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Barber Shop Politics: A look back at President Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Here is a video that I made back in 2008 that was featured on CNN.Com. I think it only right on the day of President Obama's farewell speech that we take a look back.

Barber Shop Politics: A visit to black barber shops featuring barbers and their customers explaining why they support Barack Obama.

Sunday, November 06, 2016

Cory Booker goes to Philadelphia to get the black vote out

Seeking to close off any route for Donald Trump to get the 270 electoral votes he needs to be elected president, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited the city of Brotherly Love Saturday to ensure African-Americans went to the polls on Tuesday.

A strong black turnout in Pennsylvania's largest city could cancel Trump votes elsewhere and keep the Keystone State in the Democratic camp, improving Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming the first woman U.S. president.

"This state is going to determine which way our country goes," Booker said.

Booker (D-N.J.) was one of several surrogates of both parties who, like the candidates themselves, are fanning out to battleground states this weekend in advance of Election Day. Gov. Chris Christie originally was scheduled to visit Pennsylvania as well on Saturday, though his appearance was cancelled after two former aides were convicted in the Bridgegate trial.

He visited a black-owned barbershop, where pro-Clinton campaign signs such as "Love trumps hate" and "Stronger together" shared space with posters of the Negro League, Muhammad Ali standing over a fallen Sonny Liston, and Obama. He spoke before a group of blacks who were organizing get-out-the-vote efforts. And he addressed dozens of Clinton supporters at a storefront headquarters.

Booker delivered pep talks, posed for selfies, posted videos on Instagram, and asked those in attendance to give one hour, 48 minutes or even 32 minutes to make calls on Tuesday to ensure that Clinton backers go to the polls.

"This is one of those elections where it's forward or backward," he said at the barbershop. "We need to get our friends and our families out to vote."

Read more: Booker goes to Philadelphia to get the black vote out

Thursday, March 24, 2016

House ethics panel opens probe into Fla. Rep. Corrine Brown

The House Ethics Committee has officially opened an investigation into Florida Democrat Corrine Brown over a number of allegations, including "fraudulent activity" with an unnamed organization.

The committee will defer to the Justice Department and not actively pursue the probe because of the federal investigation.

The panel also is aware of allegations that Brown may have improperly solicited charitable donations, used campaign money for personal use, and failed to comply with tax laws.

Read more: House ethics panel opens probe into Fla. Rep. Corrine Brown

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Spike Lee radio ad in support of Bernie Sanders

Director Spike Lee became the latest black celebrity enter the battle of presidential endorsements. This week the Bernie Sanders campaign released a radio ad called "Wake Up" featuring Lee. Listen to that ad below.

Sunday, February 08, 2015

Carl Heastie: First African American Assembly Speaker in New York.

Feb. 4, New York Assemblyman Carl Heastie of the Bronx became the first African-American Assembly speaker in the state’s history. While calling for a desire to create a “government as good as its people,” Heastie has a long road ahead to earn the trust of voters who have seen Albany mired in corruption for years.

Heastie told those in attendance in Albany that he hoped to created an office of ethics compliance to clean up the under-the-table dealings that have defined New York government in the recent past. Heastie, after all, is taking over for Sheldon Silver, who’s been charged with taking close to $4 million in kickbacks, and the new speaker was close to the disgraced Silver, who still maintains his Assembly position while dealing with his legal issues.

Read more: Carl Heastie elected new Assembly Speaker

Thursday, January 01, 2015

Elected Black Republicans Not Expected to be a Plus for the Community

Lorenzo Morris, a political science professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C., said that the Black community shouldn’t expect much from the Black Republicans during the next legislative session, because they won largely without Black voters. In addition, he said, their rank as freshmen lawmakers will limit their influence within the party.

“Their collective impact, if they are really outspoken, will just be on the plus side of zero, barely zero,” said Morris. “The obvious impact for Republicans is positive only to the extent that it shows visually, if not substantively, an outreach to minorities.”

Scott earned an “F” on the NAACP’s legislative report card during the first session of the 113th Congress from January 2013 – December 26, 2013.

Read more" Elected Black Republicans Not Expected to be a Plus for the Community

Sunday, November 02, 2014

Will blacks vote for democrats who run away from President Obama?

Let's be honest here. If democrats want to hold onto the Senate, they need to win the black vote overwhelmingly. While many pundits and talking heads have focused on this, they have not mentioned the fact that black voters in some states are making a tough choice. They have a choice to make, stay home, vote republican or vote for a democratic candidate that willingly distances themselves from President Obama.

In states like Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Kentucky and Alaska democratic candidates have asked the president to stay home and not help with their campaigns. Some like Kay Hagan in North Carolina have gone as far as attacking President Obama's handling of Ebola. In Kentucky Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes won't even say if she voted for President Obama.

Some back voters are publicly asking why they should support candidates that don't support the president. Obama himself has made the rounds on black radio to counter that type of thinking. He is trying to remind us that many of those same Dems distancing themselves have supported him in the past. He is trying to make his case to African American voters as to why they need to come out and vote for these democrats because he believes that the alternative is a lot worse.

So, what will you do? Will you vote democratic on Tuesday, vote republican, or stay home?

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Will Muriel E. Bowser get enough black support to become the next mayor of Washington D.C.?

*NOTE: a recent Washington Post poll shows Bowser with a 12 point lead.

As the only African American Democrat in the District’s mayoral race, Bowser is counting on resounding support from black voters, who account for nearly half the city’s population. Just last week, President Obama, the country’s highest-ranking Democrat and preeminent black politician, endorsed her campaign.

Yet as the race hurtles into its final days, interviews with Democratic activists, community leaders and voters suggest that the city’s African American electorate is far more fragmented than in previous elections, when it largely coalesced around a single candidate.

With polls suggesting a tightened race, the consequences of that splintering could be crucial, particularly for Bowser, who is also vying with Catania and Schwartz for white votes.

Read more: For black voters in D.C.’s mayoral election, this time the choice isn’t so clear

Monday, September 29, 2014

More Blacks Headed to Congress

There are 44 African American members of Congress. Next year, five more are expected to join them, bringing the total to 49. That will represent the highest number of Blacks in Congress in American history. But will it make a difference? Can they leverage their numbers?

Another record-breaking development in the record-breaking 114th Congress will be that all of the new Black members will be women. It is likely that as many as 20 Black women could take the oath of office on Capitol Hill, which is also a record.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that as we’ve seen in statehouses throughout the South, when Democrats become a minority in a legislative chamber, that means less clout for everyone in the party, including African Americans.

Depending on how many House Democrats there are in 2015 (there are now 199), the Black Caucus could become 25 percent of the House Democratic Caucus. As the Tea Party members in the House Republican Caucus have proven over and over, a voting bloc of just 25 members can leverage a great deal of power.

Read more: More Blacks Headed to Congress

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Ferguson, Missouri a perfect example of what happens when blacks don't vote.

When I first started blogging I had a blog titled Let's Talk Honestly and I think it's time to talk honestly about the town of Ferguson Missouri. First I want to give my condolences to the young man's family and to voice my support for those who are PEACEFULLY protesting. But now back to talking honestly. How is it possible that a town that is predominantly black can only have one black elected black official? There is an answer and it's one some may not like but I think it's the sad truth. George Cook AfricanAmericanmReports.com.

In light of the Michael Brown shooting we are hearing a lot the town of Ferguson Missouri. It is a town of about 20,000 people that is 70% black. It is also a town with only ONE elected black official.

During a interview on NPR the town's democratic chair Patricia Bynes who is African American made the following statement when asked why there was only one black elected official.

...Well, anything other than a presidential election there is low voter turnout. And the African-American community has been disenfranchised for a very long time. When you have people who are worrying about can I get a job - can I get to work - can I put food on the table - when election day on Tuesday comes around, that is the furthest thing from their minds. And the whites that live in the community - they participate. And so they vote for who they want for counsel and mayor, and they don't always put practices in place that are best for the majority population there.[SOURCE]

While Bynes made what some may consider valid excuses they are just that, excuses. Our ancestors faced death and some did die to get us the right to vote and if nothing else we should repay that sacrifice by voting. How can you have tremendous power and cede it to someone else?

The only way a town that is 70% black can only have one black elected official is a complete lack of political involvement and engagement by the black community.

We know that black voters are there because in the chairs statement she says that they come out for presidential elections. But they obviously don't understand that local elections are the ones that impact your daily life.

Some will say that because of racism or the gold boys network it's hard for people to get involved politically. I'm not going to deny that but the low voter turnout in Ferguson shows that racist don't have to hold blacks back because they are not trying to move forward.

Because of that low voter turnout they have a police force that doesn't reflect the diversity of the community it serves and a local government that seemingly is not worried about the black communities concerns.

The people in Ferguson have to do better if they want better and stop with the damn excuses on election day.

I sincerely hope that the tragic death of Michael Brown spurs more political involvement in Ferguson and other communities. I also it becomes an example of what happens when African Americans don't participate politically.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

Sunday, July 13, 2014

African Americans don't hate black conservatives.

African Americans don't hate black conservatives.

By George L. Cook III.

If you have watched right wing/ conservative media recently you have been spoon fed the idea that the average African American doesn't like black conservatives. You would get the idea that the black community cast out black conservatives simply because of their beliefs. That's not true at all.

Now while many don't understand how a black person can support this current group of conservatives regardless of their color I have yet to be at any type of social gathering and see someone thrown out because they were republican or conservative. I have heard friends argue and eventually agree to disagree over a few beers.

I think a distinction needs to be made about who we in the black community have issues with. We have issues people who:

* Use the phrase democratic plantation. I mean really?

* Demean their own community and act as if anything "black" is bad.

* Have an issue with the term African American. How much nerve does it take to tell someone what they can call themselves?

* Think that they are better than everyone else just because they are conservative. They are somehow more enlightened.

* Who blame everything on President Obama and help spread misinformation. There are things to criticize our president about without making stuff up.

* Who don't speak out when other conservatives say something racist or very insensitive.

* Allow themselves to be used to make disparaging remarks about President Obama or in support of a conservative ideas that white conservatives can't say without severe blow back.

Now if you are a conservative that does not fall into those categories I don't believe anyone would have an issue with you. If you can articulate your ideas without insulting others and simply make a compelling argument about your views no one would have a problem with you. Quite simply we don't have problems with people who know how to talk respectfully to others.

You see African Americans don't hate black conservatives, they dislike nasty and rude people.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

06/24/2014 Primary Elections: Warren Christopher candidate for Maryland congressional seat.

Here at African American Reports we have reached out to African American candidates involved in state primaries tomorrow, 06/24/2014.

One candidate is running for a seat in the US House of representatives in Maryland. His name is Warren Christopher.

Here is a brief statement from Mr. Christopher to African American Reports as to why voters in Maryland's CD4 should support him.

WARREN CHRISTOPHER FOR CONGRESS

Will FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING for our District – seniors, veterans, woman, education, and small businesses. Lobby to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, Veteran Affairs Committee and/or Committee on Homeland Security.

Will work to lower corporate tax rate and eliminate special interest loopholes.

Will work to CREATE JOBS, ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL to meet the demands of industry; focus on innovation as a cornerstone of economic development.

Will WORK WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS.

Will INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPACT THE 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT and our country –TECHNOLOGY IN EVERY CLASSROOM AND A COMPUTER ON EVERY DESK.

Close the healthcare gap; disparities amongst the underrepresented.

Will DELIVER 1ST CLASS CONSTITUENT SERVICES and never ignore the people of the 4th Congressional District.

A LEADER working with federal, state and local officials to implement solutions to the foreclosure crisis, closing the pay gap for women and securing paid sick leave; SECURE LOW INTEREST RATE LOANS AND PRIME COTRACTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

Will PROTECT AND DEFEND ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES’ Benefits and COLAs (cost of living allowances).

06/24/2014 primary election: Greg Holmes candidate for Maryland congressional seat

Here at African American Reports we have reached out to African American candidates involved in state primaries tomorrow, 06/24/2014.

One candidate is running for a seat in the US House of representatives in Maryland. His name is Greg Holmes.

Here is a brief statement from Mr. Holmes to African American Reports as to why voters in Maryland's CD4 should support him.

Hi, My name is Greg Holmes. I am a lifelong resident of Prince George's County. I'm a Christian, husband, dad and mentor.

I am running for Congress to give our community a competitive edge and the opportunity to vote for economic prosperity, job creation, and high academic standards. These issues transcend race and economic background and I will champion them as your Congressman. This is the moment we vote for the change we seek. Please vote Greg Holmes for US Congress. Marlo Holmes, Treasurer.

Greg Holmes

Candidate for Congress

Maryland’s 4th District

Greg Holmes website: http://www.gregholmes.org/

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Councilwoman Muriel Bowser defeats incumbent Gray in D.C. mayoral primary

Muriel E. Bowser, a low-key but politically canny District lawmaker, won the Democratic mayoral nomination Tuesday, emerging from a pack of challengers in a low-turnout primary to deny scandal-tarnished incumbent Vincent C. Gray a second term.

The 41-year-old D.C. Council member triumphed in the latest in a string of District elections to reveal a city unsettled over the shape of its future. Bowser’s win heralds many more months of uncertainty as she faces a substantial general-election challenger while a lame-duck Gray is left to steer the city amid the threat of federal indictment.

Bowser (D-Ward 4) moved deftly to capitalize on public doubts about Gray’s trustworthiness fueled by the still-unresolved federal corruption investigation into his 2010 campaign. Alone among seven Democratic challengers, she amassed a coalition that crossed demographic and geographic lines allowing her to outpoll Gray’s shrunken but steady base of African American voters.

Read more here: Councilwoman Bowser defeats incumbent Gray in D.C. mayoral primary