Five Democratic candidates in Maryland’s 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election gathered in Greenbelt on Sunday, April 3 to answer questions from residents about their campaign policies. The forum, hosted by the Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt Democratic Club at the Greenbelt American Legion Post 136, was moderated by It’s Academic host Dave Zahren.
Candidates Jon Baron, Doug Gansler, Ashwani Jain, Tom Perez and Jerome Segal gave prepared statements and each answered three questions collected from attendees.
Candidates were asked to weigh in on various public transportation plans, including the Northeast SCMaglev line, which may cross sections of Greenbelt, and expansion of the Capital Beltway.
Perez firmly said he opposes maglev because it does not serve people who most need mass
transit, receiving immediate applause from attendees. Jain also said he was “deeply opposed” to it, particularly because there are no planned stops in Prince George’s County.
Greenbelt resident Neil Williamson was glad to hear Perez bring up his strong opposition to maglev. Potential damage to the Greenbelt Forest Preserve from the construction is a “critical environmental and life issue,” he said.
“I can feel my blood pressure drop and my breathing return to normal when walking into the Forest Preserve. It’s personal. Maglev is personal,” Williamson said.
Gansler and Baron both said they supported a Red Line train in Baltimore, as well as the efficient completion of the Purple Line train in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Neither voiced opposition to maglev.
Segal stressed the importance of affordable electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Gansler and Baron both spoke about increasing access to electric vehicles.
Jain and Gansler each spoke about the need for affordable housing options centered around public transportation stops.
Candidates were asked to speak about the education reforms that they would choose to implement if elected. Most chose to weigh in on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Perez said he would implement the entire Blueprint because “budgets are moral documents.” His opposition to Governor Larry Hogan’s initial underfunding of Prince George’s County and Baltimore schools was met with scattered applause from attendees.
Baron voiced support for the Blueprint as well, but said he would make adjustments to focus spending on tested programs like universal tutoring of first and second graders.
Jenni Pompi, candidate for the Board of Education District 2, said that she was glad to see support for the Blueprint and excited to hear the candidate’s focus on Prince George’s County schools.
Segal said he supported the portions of the Blueprint that focus on social justice, but he thought it was a bad exploration of education and would not implement the education plans.
Jain spoke about his plans to mandate financial literacy and sex education in high schools, as well as replacing school resource officers with mental health professionals. Perez also spoke about mental health crises in schools following the pandemic, receiving some applause.
Gansler advocated for mental health professionals in schools; he said he plans for each school to employ one professional per 250 students. Gansler said he will also prioritize universal pre-kindergarten and childcare.
Julie Patterson, a Greenbelt resident, was glad to hear candidates talking about supporting mental health in schools. “Kids need to go to school and not feel worried,” Patterson said.
Zahren asked candidates what one problem they would choose to solve instantly if they were able to “wave a magic wand.”
Baron and Perez both spoke on income inequality and training programs for access to well-paying jobs. Perez said his campaign aims to “make sure everyone gets a fair shake” at opportunities.
Segal said he would create a work week with less time spent on jobs for financial support and more time for passion work and personal relationships.
Jain said his campaign focuses on being “inclusive and accessible” to Maryland residents by prioritizing input and one-on-one conversations with locals to avoid “making decisions for instead of with” people.
Gansler said his goal is “bringing crime down, while bringing justice up” by incorporating prosecutors with community police officers and returning School Resource Officers (SROs) to public schools.
Patterson was excited to hear Gansler address safety in schools. “Getting SROs back in schools is very important because they don’t just protect kids, they educate kids,” Patterson said.
Greenbelt Access Television livestreamed the event; a full recording can be accessed on their YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/GreenbeltAccess, titled Maryland Gubernatorial Candidates Forum 2022.
Tuesday, July 19 is Election Day for the 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election; early voting will be held from July 7 to July 14. The Gubernatorial General Election Day is November 8.
Mail-in ballots for the primary election must be requested by July 12, and postmarked or placed in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on July 19.
