THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES HAVE REASONS TO KEEP FIGHTING: For third-party candidates in Maryland — typically outnumbered, outspent, frozen out of primaries and debates, and looked on with suspicion by voters worried about wasting a vote — it’s often not about winning, but about making the incremental gains that allow them to stay on the ballot, to grow and be heard by voters disenchanted by the major parties. Will Hammann/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND SHERIFFS SAY DOJ SUIT CONFIRMS CONCERN OVER TRUST ACT: The Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging Maryland’s new immigration law has sharpened a growing divide over immigration enforcement, with local sheriffs saying that the measure leaves them caught between conflicting state and federal directives, while top Maryland Democrats say it is essential to building trust with immigrant communities. Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
THE LONG ROAD TO SAVING RATEPAYERS MONEY: Maryland lawmakers passed a new rule this year that is projected to save utility ratepayers in the state $20 million a year. But actually getting those savings for Marylanders will take more legwork — potentially a lot more. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
MOORE MUM ON TRANSGENDER ACCESS, SPORTS PARTICIPATION: As Maryland faces a federal investigation into its school gender policies, Gov. Wes Moore is silent on whether he believes biological boys who identify as girls should be able to access the private spaces and sports teams of their choice. Patrick Hauf/The Baltimore Sun.
HIGHWAY DEATHS DOWN SLIGHTLY; 4,600 SPEEDING DRIVERS CITED: As summer traffic backs up for miles along U.S. Route 50 and other major highways on the Eastern Shore, state transportation officials are moving to reduce risks for severe crashes. Fatalities on Maryland roads are down slightly from 2025. As of July 6, 195 people were killed, compared to 235 by that time last year. And State Police Superintendent Col. Michael A. Jackson said troopers have already cited more than 4,600 drivers statewide this year for going more than 30 mph over posted speed limits. Lily Tierney/The Easton Star Democrat.
COLUMN: STATE’s GRAND MESS OF A CONSTITUTION READY FOR MAKEOVER: Maryland’s constitution is a mess. Laid down in 1867 and topped with a declaration of 47 confusing, sometimes contradictory rights, it’s been covered in scribblings and cross-outs in attempts to adapt it to ever-evolving modern life. The constitution is like the brown paper under a summer feast of steamed crabs. Over 159 years, it’s been the start of many good things, but now it’s ripe for a change. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAVEN THREATENED BY ICE: For decades, leaders at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle have tried to make their school a sanctuary for kids and their families, many of whom are from immigrant and low-income backgrounds. The elementary grades draw students primarily from Southeast Baltimore, which has a growing Latino community. Though ICE officials pledged their agents would not enter schools, they inched closer to Southeast Baltimore campuses this spring. Maya Lora/The Baltimore Banner.
Q&A WITH VAN HOLLEN AS HE ‘KICKS THE TIRES’ ON PRESIDENTIAL BID: Over his 36-year political career, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has waged high-profile policy fights with legislative leaders in Annapolis, defeated a Kennedy scion and a popular Republican incumbent en route to winning a congressional seat. In the House, Van Hollen was a top lieutenant to Speaker Nancy Pelosi before moving to the U.S. Senate where he pursued progressive and reform policies. So it should not have been a surprise when Van Hollen, 67, told the “On NOTUS” podcast in mid-June that he was “kicking the tires” on a possible presidential bid in 2028 – when he also must decide whether to seek a third Senate term. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
COMMENTARY: THE KURTZ INTERVIEW WITH VAN HOLLEN IS NOT JOURNALISM: In a functioning republic, the press is supposed to be the ballast — the stabilizing force that keeps political power honest. It is supposed to ask the questions that matter, not the questions that are convenient. It is supposed to illuminate, not obscure. It is supposed to confront power, not cradle it. Josh Kurtz’s recent “interview” with Sen. Chris Van Hollen does none of these things. Barry O’Connell/The Maryland Wire.
COMMENTARY: A CLICHE OR THE REALITY? The American political lexicon is filled with clichés, of which some are regularly the object of ridicule, while others are considered sacrosanct. There is one, along with its complementary truisms, that is almost never publicly contradicted for a variety of reasons: “You cannot fool the American voter.” Why is this sentiment so widely accepted? Richard Vatz/The Baltimore Examiner.
DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENTS PLAYED A ROLE IN ELECTION LOSSES: Frustrations over proposed data center developments led to the ouster of local politicians during last month’s primary election, observers say. In Frederick County, which is planning for a data center hub, the council chair lost his seat in the primary, and politically inexperienced candidates urging “data center sanity” largely won out. In Calvert County, where officials are weighing data centers near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant, a similar story played out, and three county commissioners were shown the door. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
CASSILLY DOMINATED IN 60 OF 63 PRECINCTS: Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly beat County Council President Patrick Vincenti in 60 of the county’s 63 voting precincts during last month’s Republican primary election for the county executive seat, according to data from the State Board of Elections. Cassilly showed dominance in the western and northern areas of the county, but the race was closer in the eastern and southern portions. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
EDITORIAL: WHY SHELLENBERGER LOST: Even before Maryland’s June 23 Democratic primary, Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger was warning supporters that defeat was likely. In a June 6 fundraising email, he argued that his campaign could not overcome the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by national, out-of-state political organizations. His prediction proved accurate. Outside money undoubtedly played a role. But it is only part of the story. Editorial Board/The Baltimore Sun.
PARENTS SUE ARUNDEL SCHOOLS, CLAIMING THEY HID GENDER TRANSITION: Two parents, backed by a conservative nonprofit group, are suing Anne Arundel County Public Schools over the school system’s policies related to transgender children, accusing staff at an unidentified high school of lying to the parents, identified as John Doe and Jane Doe, about their child, identified as Mary Doe. The Does allege the school “socially transitioned” their child without notice or their consent by using a masculine name and masculine pronouns for Mary Doe. Cody Boteler/The Baltimore Banner.
FERGUSON AIDE LEAVES; DEFENDS DeMARINIS OVER VOTER ROLLS: A senior aide to Senate President Bill Ferguson is leaving for the private sector. Ross Seidman, senior counsel to the Baltimore Democrat and an eight-year veteran of the Senate leader’s office, will become vice president of advisory services at MD Energy Advisors, a Baltimore-based consulting firm. He officially leaves the office in September. Ferguson also weighed in on a Trump administration threat to criminally prosecute the state’s top election official, Jared DeMarinis, who received a letter from the DOJ threatening criminal prosecution related to administration of voter rolls. The letter was similar if not identical to letters sent to elections officials in every state. Bryan Sears and Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
