About the Campaign

Themes

Right now we are in the early and exploratory phases of the campaign. We have three main themes:

Speak Clearly, Lead With Truth, and Talk to Everyone

 From day one we understand that it is unlikely a Green will be elected Governor of Maryland in 2026, so we won’t plan on saying otherwise. That bar is too high.  On the other hand previous Green gubernatorial campaigns have set a goal of winning 1% of the vote state-wide, which is a requirement in state law for continued recognition of the Green Party as a political entity. That bar is too low, and as a result it has never been achieved.

Our exploratory phase will look at what outcomes our campaign can have for the people of Maryland. If we think there are good outcomes we can achieve, we will move out of the exploratory phase. If we don’t we won't.

During the campaign we will tell you what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how you can get involved. We also will talk to everyone. Set up a time to talk with Andy.

Once the campaign is up and running we want to build support and offer solutions for every part of Maryland. This will be a 24 county campaign.

Run a positive, healthy, and inclusive campaign

There are significant problems our world faces and there are a lot of forces arrayed against the Green Party. We will not look away from that reality, but we will not let it define the campaign either. We will run a fun and positive campaign that is focused on the future we want to see and the solutions we believe possible. 

Inclusivity will be a key principal of our work, our organizing, and our vision.  We will work to ensure that people who want to participate are able to do so. 

As COVID continues to evolve and spread, our campaign will make sure that we have clear policies and practices in place that allow everyone to participate and stay safe.

We want people to plug in where they can. Volunteers or supporters should feel welcome to help the campaign at any point that works. No one should be expected to do work that is unhealthy to them.

Transform The Green Party To Meet The Moment

Multiparty democracy is essential to break away from the “winner take all” polarization of the two party system. The Green Party has a set of values and solutions that can address the challenges we all face. But the Green Parties in the US and in Maryland are unable to bring those values and solutions to most political debates because they do not have the organizational structure or culture needed to build the political power to enact their solutions. 

This campaign believes in the Green Party and will work  with residents in every county who want there to be a viable statewide  Green Party in Maryland. We believe if the Green Party can stand up and meet the moment, then  our state and nation can better handle the multiple crises we face.

We will work with Greens, Green Parties, and Green candidates across Maryland, the nation and the world to achieve these goals . We will also work with other small parties, independent advocacy organizations and community leaders. 

We will even work with Democrats and Republicans! 

Maryland needs a multiparty democracy and the Green Party needs to be part of that. We will work with like minded individuals to achieve that goal.

Values

The campaign will run on four core values, based in the international Green movement. We believe these values offer the grounding principles to take on the challenges that we face in every county of Maryland. 

We will develop each of these values as we explore this campaign. Over the next two years we will add theory, history policy, art, activism, and organizing around each of these areas.

Democracy

Our current system of government and elections is fueled by money and relentlessly controlled by the two big corporate captured political parties,.  Most of Maryland has one party rule in which all outcomes are determined in the primary. At the national level the corporate capture of government has solidified polarization and gridlock.  The longer we go with a broken system, the worse it gets. Every crisis we face has its roots in this broken system. The process is the problem.

This campaign believes that people and communities should have the power to determine their own fate-not Super PACs, not corporate captured  political parties, and not wealthy donors. 

This campaign will work to build a movement for a multiparty democracy that serves the needs of everyone in Maryland

Peace

Wealth does not trickle down but violence does. We have a violent system that uses violence to solve social problems. People all across Maryland bear the burden of that violence.

Peace must be built from the ground up, brick by brick.  People, community based institutions and coalitions of like minded individuals are building peaceful solutions to violent problems all across Maryland. 

This campaign will work to dismantle violent institutions and foster the growth of peaceful ones.

Justice

Each person in Maryland should have access to what they are due. Dignity, health, safety, and a life free of oppression. However, for too many Marylanders justice is an illusion presented against a reality of inequality in wealth and power. 

Justice means giving those that have been taken from what is due to them and repairing the damage that continues today. It can not end there. Governments that have repeatedly done harm need to allow new grassroots’ institutions to grow, build power, and chart a course to a more just future.

This campaign will fight for repair, dignity, and just future.

Ecology

The climate crisis is here. The environment  many residents live in is killing them. From the Mountains to the Bay to the Shore Marylanders are dealing with the consequences of neglect, misuse, and inaction.

This is an emergency and we must treat it that way. Now. The longer we wait the worse it will get. We can and must do better. 

This campaign will  declare a climate and environmental emergency in Maryland