PATH’s Candidate Forum
Over 500 people from PATH gather for our Candidate Forum on March 8th.
Over 500 people of diverse faiths and backgrounds gathered on March 8th for our PATH Candidate Forum. It was powerful to see so many of us engage in our democracy in a meaningful way and make an impact on the issues that matter most to our communities.
All of us came to say we need action on housing, immigration, youth, healthcare, food security, and fighting cruelty and hate—the top issues we identified from listening sessions with over 700 people last fall.
All the candidates pose for a photo after the event. Credit Cole Mattox.
We asked candidates for specific commitments on these issues, because we want results, and we helped them understand that they will want to work with us if they are elected.
All four candidates for Howard County Executive and thirteen candidates for Howard County Council attended and responded to our questions. Read all the candidate responses here:
We gave County Executive Calvin Ball a standing ovation for his recent work to stop private ICE detention centers in the county and minimize collaboration with ICE, as well as his proposed legislation to strengthen the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund.
County Executive Ball spoke to recognize PATH’s 20 years of creating a more just community: “When housing costs freeze families out of this county, PATH stands for them. When our immigrant neighbors live in fear, PATH stands for them, and when residents are skipping meals and stretching prescriptions to make ends meet, PATH stands for them. That is what a community in action sounds like.”
Interfaith clergy gather to spell out PATH’s vision for a more just and compassionate county. Credit David Choy.
As Rev. Paige Getty and Nazish Mithaiwala read in their interfaith call for a culture of compassion and countering hate, PATH leaders will continue to gather, “unified across differences of religious tradition, to say that we believe a different way is possible. That Howard County can be the community we dream about—thriving in its diversity, safe for families of any race and of all religious identities, where we show up and care for one another.”
Attendees hold up commitment cards pledging to take further action. Credit David Choy
Rev. Derek Miller from St. John’s Episcopal Church called from the stage, “I don’t know about you, but perhaps especially more lately, I want a real democracy that is reflective of all of us.”
We’re turning out to vote in the June 23rd primary election to make our voices heard. Get voter information here.
Our work doesn’t end at the elections. We will keep holding our elected officials accountable and pushing for real action to address the stresses on families in our community.
Andris Salter, PATH board member, shared about the forum, “Today’s questions were intentionally designed to challenge candidates to bring results. We want to hear what they have to offer, how they plan to tackle these issues and why they deserve our vote. And vote we will. We are serious, we are organized, we are experienced, and we will keep pushing for real action and results.”
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Watch the full recording of the candidate forum here:
See TV coverage here from WBAL:
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