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Volume 134 No. 45

THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM

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JUNE 6, 2026 - JUNE 12, 2026

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This week, AFRO News rolls out a series of endorsements for several political races across Maryland and the District of Columbia. Take a look at the candidates we believe will do the work necessary to deliver on public safety, education, healthcare and more. Shown here, Janeese Lewis George (left), who is endorsed by the AFRO for the role of Mayor of the District of Columbia, and Julian Jones, the AFRO’s pick for Baltimore County executive.

AFRO endorses candidates in key midterm primary races By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer

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Over the past several weeks, the AFRO has led its comprehensive endorsement process, evaluating candidates for dozens of closely contested races across Maryland and D.C. The deliberation included questionnaires, interviews with select candidates and a review of their positions on racial equity, criminal justice reform, cost-of-living pressures and more. Voters across Maryland will select a candidate for Maryland Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, Representative in Congress (by District), State Senator (by District), House of Delegates (by District) and Judge of the Circuit Court. On a more local level, there are important seats up for grabs, including sheriff, the school board, central committees

and more. In Washington, D.C., voters are tasked with selecting a new mayor as Mayor Muriel Bowser exits her post after 11 years of service. In Baltimore County, residents will have to make a choice for county executive in a fiercely competitive race. In Maryland, early voting in the 2026 primary election is slated for Thursday, June 11 – June 18. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by or before Tuesday, June 23, which is also Primary Election Day when those who prefer to vote in person will go to the polls. In D.C., the primary election will take place on Tuesday, June 16. It marks the first time the Washingtonians will participate in ranked choice voting while casting their ballots. Early voting begins Monday, June 8 and commences on Sunday, June 14. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by or before Tuesday, June 16,

which is Election Day in the District. Check out the rest of this week’s edition for more endorsements in select races across Maryland and Washington, D.C.

includes both crime prevention tactics for youth in D.C. and more support for members of law enforcement who take illegal guns off the street and solve crime.

Mayor of the District of Columbia Janeese Lewis George

Baltimore County Executive Julian Jones

The AFRO endorsement for mayor in the District of Columbia goes to Janeese Lewis George, who already has a record of public service via her role as the D.C. Councilmember for Ward 4. Lewis George has run on a platform that prioritizes lower costs for District residents and increased access to affordable housing, childcare and utilities. She believes in a framework that sees economic growth and affordability as interconnected, arguing that stabilizing residents ultimately benefits businesses. Lewis George has presented a clear plan for lowering crime that

As a Baltimore County councilman overseeing District 4, Julian Jones has experience balancing budgets. He aims to make Baltimore County a place where families can thrive through transparency and increasing public-private partnerships. Jones has a vision for economic growth that includes supporting minority owned local businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses by expanding the Economic Development Office to recruit. In his responses to the AFRO Midterm Continued on A3

AFRO endorses Moore-Miller Administration for a second term By D. Kevin McNeir Special to The AFRO This week, the AFRO News endorses both Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller for a second term. The Moore-Miller ticket was officially launched on May 2, and both leaders have emphasized a plan to double down on economic development, community safety and education during his second term. Moore spoke with The AFRO in an exclusive interview detailing top agenda items for a second term as the only sitting Black governor in the United States. On the issue of affordability, Moore’s priorities and his record are clear. “I want to make Maryland more affordable [and] more competitive to better protect our people,” he said. “I can’t control the fact that the federal government is making prices for gas and food go up–I can make sure big corporations aren’t gauging people when they

go to the supermarket.” On April 28 Gov. Moore signed The Protection From Predatory Pricing Act (HB 895) and Maryland became the first state in the country to ban dynamic pricing. The tactic is used by grocery stores and third-party delivery services to change the cost of food based on demand and personal data on file. But he didn’t stop there. “We got legislation passed so Marylanders received hundreds of dollars in relief and we streamlined energy projects, while also capping compensation for energy executives – a bill for which Maryland taxpayers were previously paying,” Moore told the AFRO. I’ve been able to make Maryland more competitive and to attract major corporations like AstraZeneca and Samsung Biologics, making sure our state economy continues to grow.” Moore said he, like many Americans, remains frustrated by the policies supported by the Trump Administration.

Photo courtesy of Carter Elliott IV

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) “It’s been hard to anticipate the level of destruction our state continues to face under the president,” Moore said. “In his first year, he fired 31,000 federal workers – 40,000 if you include federal adjacent jobs. We’ve been hit harder than any other state in the U.S. And of course, energy and gasoline prices are through the roof

because of the president’s war of choice.” Still, Moore is not giving up his fight for Marylanders. “We’re going to control what we can, like providing energy relief, investing in child care, and as we’ve already done, Continued on A6