Weekly Media Briefing: Ellis/Andrews Campaign 2/23/26-3/1/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2026
CONTACT: Andy Ellis
andy@gogreen2026.com
February 23-27, 2026 — Stadium deals, who's on the ballot, and the next fight after the 287(g) ban
Education Money for a Minor League Soccer Stadium
Two bills in the Maryland General Assembly — SB 883 and HB 1078 — would send $216.6 million in state bonds to a soccer stadium at Baltimore's Carroll Park. The stadium is for two development league teams. Neither plays in Major League Soccer. The financing mechanism: sports wagering revenue. Under current law, that money goes entirely to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education fund. Since sports betting launched, the fund has sent $245 million to Maryland schools. House Appropriations hears HB 1078 on March 3. Senate Finance hears SB 883 on March 5.
"Voters were told sports betting would fund education. Two hundred forty-five million dollars has gone to Maryland schools. These two bills would redirect that revenue to a minor league soccer stadium. Baltimore should have soccer — but not financed by raiding the education fund. We'll be at both hearings to make that case," said Andy Ellis, seeking the Green Party nomination for Governor with running mate Owen Silverman Andrews.
*Read more about our campaign priorities: https://www.gogreen2026.com/priorities
Tuesday Night Sets the Field — For Two Parties
The filing deadline for Maryland's 2026 elections is Tuesday night, February 24, at 9 PM. Every Republican and Democratic candidate for state office must be filed by then — setting the primary fields for governor, legislature, and county races. The Green Party and other non-principal parties file separately, on July 6.
"Two questions worth watching Tuesday night. First: who actually files for the Republican and Democratic governor's race? That's the first real picture of who we're all running against. Second: how many state offices end up with no primary competition, no general election opponent, or both? Because filing deadline is supposed to be when democracy takes shape. In a lot of Maryland districts, the shape is one name on a ballot," said Andy Ellis.
*Read more about our multiparty democracy platform: https://www.gogreen2026.com/democracy
Sheriffs Are Already Working Around the 287(g) Ban. The Community Trust Act Is the Next Fight.
Governor Moore signed the 287(g) ban on February 17. Within 48 hours, sheriffs were on national television describing their workarounds: sharing arrest lists, holding detainees for ICE, notifying agents of releases. The formal agreements accounted for roughly 170 ICE transfers in 2025; ICE arrested more than 3,300 Marylanders total. The federal government has escalated, proposing an ICE detention facility in Hyattsville in a building that houses Social Services. The Community Trust Act (SB 791), which would close the informal cooperation gap, has a hearing Wednesday at 1:00 PM before Senate Judicial Proceedings.
"In January we laid out four demands: abolish ICE, pass comprehensive protections for our communities, hold agents accountable under state law, and challenge federal enforcement in court. The 287(g) ban was one piece of one demand. CASA and grassroots organizers across the state have been making the same case for years — as CASA put it this week, it's a strong foundation, not the finish line. The Community Trust Act hearing on Wednesday is the next piece. We need all four," said Andy Ellis.
*Read more about our immigration platform: https://www.gogreen2026.com/abolish-ice
This Week's Livestream
Join Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews Thursday at 7 PM ET on YouTube.
We will cover these stories, the week in Annapolis be joined by Carlos Orbe Jr. Carlos is the founder of Mind-full Communications, LLC, based in Montgomery County. He focuses on policy and communications that impact under-resourced or minority communities, primarily Latinos. In years past, he has worked in coalition with Owen to hold the Maryland State Department of Education accountable, and to pass the Credit for All Language Learning Act of 2024.
This week is the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session and Carlos will join us to talk about he is working on and what he is watching for.
Watch live at youtube.com/@GoGreen2026.
On the Calendar This Week
Tuesday, February 24: Filing deadline — 9 PM ET
Wednesday, February 25, 1:00 PM: SB 791 / HB 1575 (Community Trust Act) hearings — Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary, Annapolis
Wednesday, February 25: HB 0962, HB 1010, and HB 1289 hearings — Government and Elections Committee, Annapolis
Thursday, February 27: Weekly Livestream with Carlos — 7 PM ET, YouTube
Want Andy or Owen at your event? Contact us at events@gogreen2026.com.
About the Ellis/Andrews Campaign
Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews are running for Governor and Lt. Governor on the Green Party ticket. Their campaign is seeking public financing and small donors. Learn more at gogreen2026.com.