Trump’s Project 2025 — What You Need to Know

Larry Hogan, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is claiming that, if elected, he will single-handedly break the partisan gridlock in D.C. There’s no chance he can do this. If Hogan is elected, the Senate would likely flip to a Republican majority. Hogan would be a JUNIOR senator with no seniority and would have only ONE vote in a Senate body that’s overwhelmingly controlled by MAGA Republicans. He would have as much chance of influencing the Republicans in the U.S. Senate as he did of bucking the Democrats in the Maryland General Assembly when he was governor: None. Democrats currently have a slim majority in the U.S. Senate — a majority that’s in danger of disappearing in January. With so much riding on this election, Democrats must ask: What’s vital for me? What kind of country do I want to live in? What will I lose if the GOP takes over the Senate? To understand the likely Republican Senate agenda, just look at the Republican Platform for 2024 and Project 2025 : Seal the border; stop the migrant invasion; deport millions of immigrants Allow unrestricted fossil fuel production and development; cancel the electric vehicle mandate; cut regulations (i.e., ignore the climate change crisis) Cut or eliminate critical federal programs that support people experiencing hardship and children living in poverty Cap funding for Medicaid; impose lifetime caps on benefits End student debt relief “Secure our elections”: require same day voting on paper ballots, voter ID, proof of citizenship “Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children” “Keep men out of women’s sports” “Deport pro-Hamas radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again” In addition, if presented by a Democratic president, a Republican Senate would delay or deny judicial nominations for federal courts at every level — including the Supreme Court. (Remember when GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold a hearing for Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court, reserving that seat for an ultra-right-wing judicial activist appointed by Trump?) Several Supreme Court justices are in their 70s and will soon need to be replaced, perhaps by the next president. The Senate plays the leading role in appointing justices. And the Supreme Court, as we’ve painfully learned, can shape American society in anti-democratic ways. As one so-called moderate senator among 50 Republicans influenced to greater or lesser degrees by MAGA ideology, Larry Hogan would have no chance to advance his “bi-partisan, common sense solutions,” as he proclaims on his campaign website , much less get them passed. His “solutions” are not the priorities of the MAGA-riddled GOP. For example, Hogan has said that he will vote to restore Roe v Wade . But with a Republican Senate, he will never have the chance — that vote will never come up. Hogan is backed by MAGA super PACs and dark money donors who are looking forward to a Republican majority in the Senate to enact their terrifying agenda, including banning abortion access. And Hogan was recruited to run by Sen. McConnell, so how beholden would he be to the GOP? How important to him is GOP support for his own political aims (the presidency?)? Hogan claims that the Republicans will not be able to count on his vote, but will he be willing to vote with the Democrats in opposition to his party? Or will he instead vote “Present” on major issues (much like he refused to either sign or veto many pieces of legislation while he was governor, not taking a stand either way)? That will not break the gridlock. Angela Alsobrooks is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate for Maryland. Her priorities embrace and promote our Democratic values. She will work with a Democratic Senate for these things: Strengthen democracy, protect freedom, advance equity, fight for our rights Value each person and enable all Americans to prosper and achieve their potential Grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out Cut taxes for working families; make the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share Lower costs for Americans: healthcare, prescription drugs, childcare, gas and groceries, housing Ensure that all people have access to the healthcare they need and want, and that government does not interfere with access for anyone Work to ensure that all American citizens can cast their vote with no impediment and that our democratic system gives fair and equal representation to everyone Protect communities and tackle the scourge of daily gun violence Tackle the climate crisis, lower energy costs, secure energy independence Secure our border and fix the broken immigration system Strengthen American leadership worldwide So, we must ask ourselves: What is important to me? Democracy? Reproductive rights? LGBTQ+ rights and dignity? Personal freedom? Voting rights? Kindness? Respect for individuals? Safety? Will these be threatened or taken away by a GOP Senate? Am I willing to live in an America without them? Make sure we preserve our way of life and Democratic values. Vote for Angela Alsobrooks to keep the U.S. Senate Democratic. For more information on this topic, check out former Del. Maggie McIntosh’s talk with the Kent Co. Democratic Club. Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.

“Not your typical Democrat” — that’s how Blane Miller III describes himself on the website promoting his candidacy for the District 1 Congressional seat. That’s an intriguing slogan, and it’s reasonable for us voters to ask exactly what it means. The biographical data isn’t any kind of puzzle. Born and raised in Havre de Grace, Miller attended the local high school, where he was on the wrestling and varsity lacrosse teams. Upon graduation in 1993, he became the third generation in his family to serve in the nation’s military. After training in Naval Air Crew School, Miller completed several deployments, and won numerous medals, ribbons, and citations for his service. Honorably discharged in 2001, Miller put his naval experience to work as a high-speed photographer and deep-water diver for a contractor testing military equipment at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. He started his own consulting company, BH Miller Group, in 2014, continuing to work as a photographer and diver with construction firms. He is married, with one adult son. Miller first entered politics in 2002, when he served as a member of the Harford County Republican Central Committee. However, on his first run for office — for Harford County Executive in 2022 — he listed himself as a moderate Democrat. In a candidate profile for the patch.com website, he said, “I am tired of the same lack luster, career politician(s) that are a part of the political machine that is fueled by lobbyist and special interests.” He lost that election, taking just over 30% of the vote against Republican Bob Casilly. Not bad for a first-time candidate in a county with a strong Republican majority of registered voters. Unsuccessful in his first bid for office, Miller didn’t back off from a bigger challenge in 2024, declaring himself as a Democratic candidate to unseat Republican incumbent Andrew P. Harris in the District 1 Congressional race. In the Democratic primary election held in May, Miller took 60% of the vote against Blessing T. Oluwadare, another former Republican and his only opponent. He now faces the formidable task of unseating Harris, a six-term incumbent who has for much of that time been the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation. Many of Miller’s positions clearly distinguish him from Harris, who has been called “Dr. No” for his record of frequently voting against legislation that would benefit his constituents. As documented on his website , Miller supports well-funded public education and, in contrast to Harris, opposes public support for alternative and private schools. He is opposed to government oversight of women's personal health decisions. He advocates legislation to ensure the safety of Social Security funds and suggests engaging experts to find ways to enhance the healthcare system. On the other hand, many of his positions seem likely to appeal to more conservative voters who might not normally support a Democrat. He advocates closing the southern border and reexamining the criteria for granting asylum. At the same time, he recognizes the important economic importance of immigrants. He seeks to balance the arguments of environmentalists and skeptics concerning climate change. He also argues for “common sense measures” such as education and background checks to reduce gun violence while respecting the Second Amendment as “a fundamental right.” It remains to be seen whether Miller’s “moderate common sense leadership” (as he describes it on his website) will attract some of the conservative voters who have regularly returned his Republican opponent to office, and how much it will appeal to more liberal Democratic voters who hope to see “Dr. No” sent to the sidelines. As noted, he has taken on a daunting challenge, one that has deterred many potential contenders over the years. As chronicled on his FaceBook page, Miller has begun making campaign appearances at sites across the Eastern Shore, traveling in his “tour bus” — an SUV with a trailer displaying his campaign signs. If you see he’s coming to your neighborhood, why not go find out just who Blane Miller is? It might well provide you with still another incentive to go to the polls this November. Peter Heck is a Chestertown-based writer and editor, who spent 10 years at the Kent County News and three more with the Chestertown Spy. He is the author of 10 novels and co-author of four plays, a book reviewer for Asimov’s and Kirkus Reviews, and an incorrigible guitarist.

Members of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus are accusing former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan of not standing up for the LGBTQ+ community. Hogan, the Republican nominee for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat, has proven he is not an ally to LGBTQ+ Marylanders, a statement from five members of the caucus reads. All are Democrats. Caucus members said it is critical that the Democratic candidate, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, beats Hogan in November. “I see the indifference that Larry Hogan expresses and it causes me great pause,” Del. Kris Fair (D-3A) told Capital News Service . “It should cause every LGBTQ+ community member great pause about his ability to support our community.” The caucus spoke out after Hogan recently dismissed an LGBTQ+ Maryland voter’s concerns about his record at a campaign event, according to the statement and reporting from The Advocate . In addition to Fair, who is the chair of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, the statement was signed by Del. Anne Kaiser (D-14), Del. Joe Vogel (D-17), Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-22), and Del. Bonnie Cullison (D-19). During his time as governor, Hogan elected to not sign several LGBTQ+ rights bills, including one that protects victims from hate crimes based on their identity. Hogan did not veto or directly oppose the bill and it ended up becoming law without his signature. Hogan choosing not to sign bills that would protect LGBTQ+ individuals indicated to Cullison that he doesn’t understand the challenges facing the community. LGBTQ+ people rely on laws to give them protections, she said. “For political reasons, he felt it was important that his name not be on those bills,” Cullison told CNS . In 2018, Hogan signed a bill into law that bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth. Cullison — who was a leader in this effort — said it was “an easy one for him to sign.” Anti-conversion bills were already passing across the country and politics were on his side, she said. Since Hogan signed the bill, similar laws have been enacted in Utah, Virginia, and Michigan. “He’s just been responsive,” she said. “He hasn’t been proactive.” Martinez thinks Hogan has been silent about the concerns of LGBTQ+ community members and that indicates how the former governor would act in the U.S. Senate if he is elected. “He decided not to sign these bills,” Martinez told CNS . “I think that’s a clear indiciation to LGBTQ folks and our allies across this state that he is not the champion that we know Angela Alsobrooks will be.” As governor, Hogan allowed measures to take effect that extend coverage of IVF treatment to same-sex couples and allow transgender people to revise their birth certificates, Hogan campaign spokesperson Blake Kernen said in a statement to CNS . He also appointed the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as chief judge of a Maryland appellate court, Kernen wrote. “After calling for ‘tolerance and mutual respect’ in his inaugural address, Governor Hogan supported LGBTQ community priorities throughout his time in office,” she wrote. “Maryland has a bipartisan legacy of supporting the LGBTQ community, and Governor Hogan looks forward to building on this work in the Senate.” Hogan walked in the Annapolis Pride Parade in June, sporting a Pride sticker and lei. His campaign posted on Facebook dozens of pictures of Hogan with attendees at the parade. “Maryland is a mosaic of diverse communities and cultures, and that’s one of many things that makes our great state so special,” Hogan said in a statement. “As governor, I was proud to represent all Marylanders, and that’s exactly the leader I’ll be in the United States Senate.” Martinez, a resident of Prince George’s County, said he has witnessed Alsobrooks supporting the LGBTQ+ community during her time as county executive. He appreciates that prominent members of her staff are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Alsobrooks has held listening sessions, attended Pride events, and created an LGBTQ+ liaison position in her office, Martinez said. “It is really important that we have ourselves represented in all facets of government,” Martinez said. Cullison agrees that Alsobrooks is the candidate for U.S. Senate that will stand with LGBTQ+ community members. “Angela Alsobrooks will be the senator who will fight the fight with us,” she said. “She’s supportive and advocates and won’t back down and won’t hide behind not signing something.” If elected senator, Alsobrooks said she plans to co-sponsor the Equality Act — a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in public accommodations and facilities — and oppose Republican efforts to undermine equality, she wrote in a statement to CNS . The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, endorsed Alsobrooks this summer. “What we understand is that this race in Maryland will likely decide whether Democrats or Republicans control the Senate Majority. Republicans have made it clear that no such votes to protect and elevate our LGBTQ+ community will come to the Floor if they take back the Majority,” Alsobrooks wrote in her statement. Fair said that while Hogan may not propose bills that directly harm the LGBTQ+ community, he will likely allow other Republicans to do so. “Larry Hogan is the symptom of a problem coming down the road that’s going to be devastating for our community,” Fair said. Read the Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus statement . Capital News Service is a student-powered news organization run by the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism. For 26 years, they have provided deeply reported, award-winning coverage of issues of import to Marylanders.

Democrat Angela Alsobrooks holds a 5-point lead over Republican Larry Hogan in their campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a poll released September 4. The newly released Gonzales poll shows Alsobrooks leading Hogan 46%-41% with 11% still undecided.

Music generates passion and emotion, so it’s little surprise that popular tunes have been featured in presidential contests since the days of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.