News Category

Category: News

➡️ 2026 - February 11th - Op-Ed: Maryland Can’t Claim to Protect Judicial Independence While Stripping Voters of Their Only Check

With House Bill 150, the Maryland General Assembly is once again advancing legislation to take away a constitutional right Marylanders have exercised for more than 150 years: the right to vote for circuit court judges.

This renewed effort comes at a moment that should alarm anyone who cares about judicial independence. Just days ago, The Baltimore Sun reported that Gov. Wes Moore said his administration has been “working with judges” to prepare for anticipated legal challenges to his redistricting proposal—remarks that immediately raised ethical red flags among legal scholars and elected officials across the political spectrum.

These two developments are not isolated. Together, they reveal a troubling trajectory: the increasing politicization of Maryland’s judiciary at the same time the legislature seeks to eliminate the only meaningful check the public has on that system—the vote.

Maryland’s Constitution of 1867 deliberately preserved popular elections for circuit court judges. The framers rejected the idea of vesting absolute appointment power in a governor, understanding a basic truth of democracy: even well-intentioned politicians are subject to political pressure, ambition, and expediency. Judicial elections were meant to serve as a safeguard—not to inject partisanship into the courts, but to ensure accountability and public confidence.

That safeguard is now under threat.

Proponents of eliminating contested judicial elections argue that appointments coupled with Soviet-style “yes or no” retention votes will somehow insulate judges from politics. But recent events suggest precisely the opposite. When a governor openly discusses “working with judges” to make a controversial redistricting effort more legally viable—an effort aimed at reshaping congressional maps to achieve a preferred political outcome—it underscores how deeply political forces already surround judicial selection and influence. Replacing contested elections with so-called retention elections would only trade real accountability for a hollow substitute: voters would be asked to rubber-stamp judges they had no role in choosing, in elections designed to produce foregone conclusions rather than genuine democratic consent. The result isn’t independence—it’s the illusion of democracy, a checkbox exercise that strips citizens of meaningful choice while preserving the very political insiders the system claims to restrain.

As University of Maryland law professor Mark Graber correctly noted, asking judges how they might rule on pending or anticipated litigation crosses a serious ethical line. Even if conversations involve retired judges, the appearance of impropriety matters. Public confidence in the judiciary depends not only on actual independence, but on the perception of independence. That concern alone should give legislators pause before further concentrating appointment power in the executive branch.

And yet, at this very moment—while concerns about executive overreach and judicial politicization dominate headlines—the legislature is pressing forward with a bill that would permanently remove voters from the process.

This would be unprecedented. To my knowledge, never in Maryland’s history has the General Assembly stripped its citizens of a voting right. Not during times of war. Not during political upheaval. Not during previous reform efforts. Doing so now, when voting rights are under strain nationwide, sends exactly the wrong message.

Supporters of this change often claim that voters are insufficiently informed to make judicial choices. That argument is not only paternalistic—it is dangerous. The Constitution does not condition the right to vote on expertise or knowledge. We do not impose literacy tests or civics exams, nor should we. When the public lacks information, the remedy is education and transparency, not disenfranchisement.

The irony is stark. If Maryland truly seeks to reduce politics in the judiciary, it should be expanding accountability and public trust—not eliminating them. Removing elections does not eliminate political influence; it merely obscures it, placing judicial careers almost entirely in the hands of a single political actor and insulating that process from public scrutiny.

Checks and balances are not inconveniences. They are the foundation of democratic legitimacy.

At a time when concerns about autocracy, erosion of democratic norms, and consolidation of power are widely shared across the political spectrum, Maryland should be reaffirming the role of its citizens—not sidelining them.

The people of Maryland are not the problem. They are the safeguard.

If judicial selection truly needs reform, it deserves a comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive conversation—not a rushed effort to take away a constitutional right while the judiciary itself is drawn deeper into political controversy.

Maryland cannot credibly claim to defend judicial independence while simultaneously weakening democracy’s most basic check: the will of the voters. Because here, right matters. At least it should, anyway.

Posted on 11 Feb 2026, 18:36 - Category: News

➡️ 2025 - November 23rd - Baltimore Sun Op-Ed: Baltimore County Can Do Better — If We Put People First

What if we could build a county where leadership meant putting people before developers — where decisions were guided by the needs of our neighborhoods, not the size of a campaign check?

What if safety and justice walked hand in hand — where police and the people they serve treated one another with the respect every human being deserves?

And what if our government finally worked in daylight — not in backrooms, but out in the open, where every voice matters?

These “what ifs” aren’t fantasies. They’re possibilities. And turning those possibilities into reality is why I’m running to serve as Baltimore County Executive.

For too long, leadership here has served the same establishment insiders while the people who live and work in this county are left out of the decisions that shape their lives. When wealthy developers get fast-tracked but working-class and minority communities can’t get a grocery store or a playground — that’s not progress. That’s politics as usual.

When black drivers are stopped at higher rates than white drivers and all we get is another “review” instead of reform — that’s not accountability. That’s avoidance.

And when public meetings happen after the deals are already made and the ink’s dry — that’s not transparency. That’s theater.

I’m running as an independent because the system that created these problems isn’t going to fix them. As an independent, I don’t owe any machine, donor, or party. My only obligation is to the people of Baltimore County — every neighborhood, every family, every voice.

My vision for Baltimore County starts with three commitments.

First, make government honest again. Every contract, every development deal, every budget line item should be visible to the public. If it’s your money, you have a right to know where it goes.

Second, build public safety on mutual respect. I’ve prosecuted violent offenders — I know what real accountability looks like. But safety also means fairness, and that requires transparency, training, and trust. The vast majority of officers serve with honor. They deserve leadership that supports them while holding everyone to the same standard.

Third, create an economy that works for people, not just developers and political donors. We can live within our means while investing in safe, vibrant communities where families want to live, raise their kids, and do business. Economic growth should lift everyone, not just a few.

These aren’t Democratic or Republican ideas. They’re Baltimore County values.

We can have honest government, safe communities, and opportunity in every zip code — but it will take independence, transparency, and courage. I’m ready to bring all three.

If you think everything’s fine and nothing needs to change, I’m probably not your guy. But if you believe — as I do — that the best answers often lie somewhere in the middle, between the extremes, then let’s have a conversation.

I’m not asking anyone to compromise their core values. There’s no compromise on the dignity of every human being, on due process of law, or on respect. But in the spaces between us where agreement is possible, we have a duty to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

That’s what I’ve done my entire career. For 15 of my 20 years as an attorney, I’ve served the people of Maryland in the executive branch — the very branch I now seek to lead. For more than six of those years, I served as a prosecutor working closely with law enforcement — not just to enforce the law, but to make the system fairer and safer for everyone.

Beyond government, I’ve served on nonprofit boards that tackle real community challenges. I’ve managed teams, balanced budgets, and delivered results that make a difference in people’s lives.

I’d love to earn your full confidence and be your first choice. But if you already have someone in mind, I get it. I know voting for an independent might feel like unfamiliar territory — we haven’t had that opportunity in Baltimore County before. Still, I hope you’ll see what this campaign represents: a chance to restore honesty, fairness, and service to our government. So even if I’m not your first choice today, I hope to earn your trust to become your choice when it matters most — next November.

Sometimes a moment calls your name. You can shrink back, or you can step forward. I’m stepping forward because I believe Baltimore County’s best days are still ahead — if we have the courage to change course.

We can be better. I know it. And I believe you know it too.

Posted on 04 Dec 2025, 14:22 - Category: News

➡️ 2025 - November 10th - Statement on Baltimore County Redistricting

Baltimore County has spent far too long divided over political maps — and for good reason. The way we draw council district lines shapes how people are represented, how communities are heard, and how trust in government is built or broken. Unfortunately, this latest redistricting process became yet another example of how politics too often puts self-interest ahead of the public good.

Let me be clear: in America, voters select their elected leaders — not the other way around. When politicians take part in drawing the very lines that determine who votes for them, the system loses its integrity. No party, no incumbent, and no special interest should have the power to choose their voters.

That’s why I believe redistricting should always be conducted by independent, nonpartisan commissions — not by politicians with something to gain. These commissions should operate transparently, with full public input, and their finished proposals should be voted on by the people themselves. That’s how we restore confidence that our representation truly reflects the will of the people.

For now, and with some reservation, I will respect the decision of the county council regarding district boundaries because voters deserve resolution and certainty. As County Executive, it will be my job to work with the clean slate of council members that Baltimore County voters elect next year as a result of these new maps. I’m committed to working with whomever is chosen to ensure that every district — regardless of shape, size, or ZIP code — receives fair attention, fair services, and fair treatment.

Baltimore County deserves leadership that focuses less on political maps and more on real outcomes for families, neighborhoods, and small businesses. Others can relitigate (yet another) failed process of Baltimore County’s past. I’m not here to redraw the lines — I’m here to rebuild trust. On that front, there is a lot of work to be done.

Posted on 10 Nov 2025, 14:45 - Category: News

➡️ 2025 - November 6th - Immigration Policy Should Be Decided in the Open — Not Hidden in the Files

Baltimore County residents deserve a government that tells the truth, follows the law, and spends wisely. On immigration policy, we’re not getting any of the three.

The recent signing of a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Justice has left many residents cheering — and just as many confused or upset. With the stroke of a pen, Baltimore County is no longer listed as a “sanctuary jurisdiction.” But few understand what that really means or what’s actually in the agreement.

Clarity from our leaders — honesty about intent and purpose — would go a long way toward quelling fears. Accurately representing the contents of the MOU itself would help, too. Secrecy and false narratives breed distrust, and trust is already in short supply.

If you visit the county’s website today, you’ll find Executive Order 2019-001, related to Upholding Law Enforcement Standards on Immigration Status, Diversity, and Equity, issued by then–County Executive Johnny Olszewski. That order reaffirmed an even older 2017 directive. The website currently states that “County Executive Olszewski has affirmed that the executive order remains in effect countywide.”

The problem? Johnny O hasn’t been County Executive for nearly a year.

To be fair, the current administration did issue a statement last weekend that the order “remains in effect,” but no formal reaffirmation has been made. So where does that leave us? Are we still following that order? Does the new MOU complement it or replace it? And who is actually setting county immigration policy — the County Executive, the County Council, or federal lawyers in Washington?

This confusion is exactly why Baltimore County leaders need to step up, stop governing by executive order on this issue, and start governing by law.

Executive orders can be changed or forgotten with the stroke of a pen. Ordinances — laws passed by the County Council — require public debate, a council vote, and the signature of an accountable executive. That’s transparency. That’s democracy.

It’s time for the County Council to take this issue out of the shadows. Hold town halls. Invite public input. Ask residents where they stand on using county resources to assist federal immigration enforcement — then pass an ordinance that reflects the will of the people.

Right now, we’re flying blind, lurching from one crisis to the next — and that’s dangerous. The federal government’s shifting definitions of “sanctuary” shouldn’t dictate how Baltimore County governs itself. Whether you agree or disagree with the DOJ’s labeling, the fact remains: confusion invites risk. And risk — legal, financial, and moral — costs money.

As a county facing serious budget shortfalls, we cannot afford uncertainty. Nor can we afford to spend local tax dollars enforcing federal mandates that many residents feel are inconsistently applied and politically motivated.

I believe in three simple truths:

Nobody has the right to break the law in Baltimore County.

Everyone in the United States — no matter their status — is entitled to due process under the Constitution.

Baltimore County doesn’t have unlimited money. We must do more with less.

These aren’t Republican or Democratic ideas. They’re common sense — and they’re Baltimore County values.

So here’s where I stand: As County Executive, I won’t resurrect a seven-year-old executive order that no longer fits today’s reality. And I won’t rubber-stamp a federal MOU just because someone in Washington says we must.

Instead, I’ll insist the County Council do its job: debate the issue publicly, draft an ordinance, and vote. Then let the people of Baltimore County see exactly where their leaders stand.

This isn’t about taking sides on immigration. It’s about taking responsibility for how we govern. The people of Baltimore County deserve to know what their government is doing — and why.

I’m not interested in scoring political points. I’m interested in restoring trust — in government, in law enforcement, and in each other.

At the end of the day, good government isn’t about who signs the order. It’s about who has the courage to lead in the open.

Posted on 06 Nov 2025, 01:38 - Category: News

➡️ 2024 - April 24th - Statement on Baltimore County Police Department's Historic Decision to Remain Neutral in County Judge's Race

Posted on 24 Apr 2024, 10:38 - Category: News

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