To all of our members and our communities,
I would like to start by saying, Thank You. Thank you to all of the members, family and friends, and community partners who have been with us these past days, weeks, and months, in all of the ways you showed up to help. Since August, we have had a constant crew of retirees and others making phone calls to union members in Maryland and in battleground states. We have seen our members engaging with the AFT’s program to write personal letters to union members. And we have had volunteers showing up every Saturday to go out into the community and knock on doors to engage members and turn out voters.
When election anxiety crept up, we at AFT Maryland could just look around and feel the excitement that builds when people come together for a common purpose. The AFL-CIO reported on Tuesday that collectively, we engaged with over 7 million union voters nationwide. “Union Boots” were definitely on the ground! Thank you.
Now, we face the election results, and we know this: We have our work cut out for us. This week, many of us are feeling strong emotions about the results of the presidential election. These feelings may persist for a long while, but we cannot sulk in them. We must look at what we have accomplished, and what we still have to get done. Take the time to acknowledge your feelings, and then be prepared to get back in the fight.
In the meantime, consider this: Tuesday night was not all bad news. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won Maryland’s Senate race, defeating former Governor Larry Hogan, and she now becomes the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the Senate. Democrat Sarah Elfreth, the 36-year-old state senator from Annapolis, will become the first woman in eight years to represent Maryland in the U.S. House. And in Baltimore City, voters collectively said “Baltimore City Is Not For Sale”, defeating Question H, which would have reduced the City Council from 14 members down to 8 members. Question H was put forward by the same group responsible for the 2022 amendment that set term limits for Baltimore City councilmembers. The Question H effort, as in 2022, was largely funded by David Smith, co-owner of the Baltimore Sun, and chair of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns Fox 45. These wins help us feel that now, more than ever, is a great time to be a part of the Maryland community.
When I look at our members, I have hope. Labor is not giving up. Together, we will continue to fight for our future, our freedom; for democracy and equality, not just in our workplaces, but in our communities.
Thank you for standing with us in the fight.
In solidarity,
Kenya Campbell, President
AFT Maryland, AFT, AFL-CIO