Received this e-mail today from Democracy for America:
The 2018 elections will be a critical opportunity to take back state governments from right-wing Republicans. Maryland will be one of the biggest battlegrounds in this pivotal election year.
That's why Ben Jealous should run for Governor of Maryland.
When Ben was at the helm of the NAACP, I marched with him -- on the frontlines -- in support of the people's agenda. He transformed the NAACP when he was elected to lead that historic organization in 2009. In 2016, he endorsed Bernie Sanders and campaigned relentlessly for him across the country. This year, he's been a leader in resistance efforts in Maryland against Trump.
Maryland's incumbent governor, Republican Larry Hogan, needs to go. As we learned in 2014, it takes bold, populist, transformative leaders to win these crucial midterm elections and overcome the Republican machine.
That's why I was excited to read in the Washington Post a few weeks ago that Ben Jealous is seriously considering running for Governor. Ben Jealous is the kind of inspiring champion we need in these awful times. If he's going to run and win, he needs our support on day one of the campaign..
We're not going to defeat Trump and his allies like Republican Larry Hogan by using the same failed political strategies of the past. And we're not going to win by running the same kind of candidates.
The path to victory lies in supporting progressive candidates who will fight for racial and economic justice and build a more reflective democracy. We need candidates who know how to run inspiring, people-powered campaigns that can expand the electorate and mobilize people of color, young people, and working people to build a movement and win.
There's nobody in Maryland who can fill that role better than Ben Jealous. This isn't just about winning back the governor's office in Maryland. This is about showing Democrats everywhere that we can win elections when we run transformative candidates who toss out the failed, D.C. establishment playbook and fight for justice.
It's no secret that Ben Jealous is seriously considering running for governor. We know that a gubernatorial race is a huge undertaking. Let's show him and the whole state that DFA members stand with Ben Jealous.
Build lasting political power in Maryland: Join DFA and pledge to support Ben Jealous for Governor!
Thank you for supporting a bold leader in a crucial election.
- Mondale
Mondale Robinson, Electoral Campaign Manager Democracy for America