Reminds Muslims Early Voting Starts on April 14th
As always during a presidential election year everyone with any degree of political sensitivity or concern focuses on the candidates for President of the United States. Whoís better; Bernie or Hillary? Who is worse; Trump or Cruz? It is important that our community not get so absorbed by the presidential race that we forget an important fact immortalized by the statement of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip OíNeill, ìall politics is localî. Therefore Prince Georgeís County Muslim Council a registered 501(C) 4 organization would like to remind the Muslim community in Prince Georgeís County about a few local races to which we should also be turning our attention.
The county and state offices are not up for re-election this year but our local and statewide federal seats are in play. Due to the retirement of longtime U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, her Senate seat is open. The leading candidates for her seat are U.S. Representatives Donna Edwards of the 4th Congressional District which covers parts of Prince Georgeís and Anne Arundel Counties and Chris Van Hollen of the 8th Congressional District representing much of Montgomery County.
Rep. Edwards has been in office since June 2008 and has been a strong advocate for women and childrenís issues. Rep. Van Hollen has served in the House since 2002 and has moved up in leadership to be the Ranking Democrat on the budget committee. On the issues, both candidates are very similar in their policy positions with few exceptions. However, Rep. Edwards has an established relationship with the Muslim community in Prince Georgeís County and the greater DMV area and has boldly taken votes on international issues that most members would not consider demonstrating a willingness to put values ahead of politics. We need that kind of courage as well as greater diversity in the Senate.
PGCMC is endorsing Donna Edwards for the U.S. Senate seat.
Due to Ms. Edwardsí candidacy for the Senate, her current fourth Congressional District seat will be vacant. The three strongest candidates for that seat are former Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, former States Attorney Glenn Ivey, and current State Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk. Glenn Ivey was known as a very effective Stateís Attorney during his time in office. He has maintained an excellent reputation and has continued strong relationships with certain members of our community. He has a demonstrated understanding of the issues and policy ñmaking in Washington due to his prior career on the Hill as a staffer in both the House and the Senate and a former appointee of Attorney General Eric Holder. He made a concerted effort to reach out to PGCMC early in the process when he decided to run. This is also true for Delegate Pena-Melnyk who comes across as a sincere legislator and hard worker who is almost impossible not to like. Former Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown has relationships with the Muslim community elsewhere but did not reach out to us here in Prince Georgeís County where he resides. Both Ivey and Pena-Melnyk provided swift and strong responses to our candidate questionnaire.
Based upon experience, understanding of Washington and electability, the members of PGMC are supporting Glenn Ivey for Congress in the 4th District.
The community should also be aware that there is a race for the Board of Education in District 5. PGCMC has made no endorsement in that race but the incumbent Verjeana Jacobs has reached out to the Muslim community and will be participating in the ìFaith, Economics and Politics Conferenceî on Saturday, April 23rd at the Diyanet Center. Edwards and Ivey will also be joining us at the conference along with State Delegate Erek Barron, County Councilmember Danielle Glaros and tentatively County Executive Rushern Baker. Make sure to come out and hear what they have to say. Other panels will include Islamic scholars, business development agencies, professional educators and youth leaders. You can register for the conference at www.pgcmc.org.
Last but not least, our own Sister Jameelah Malik will be running as a female delegate for Bernie Sanders. Check your ballot carefully to see if she is on it as her name will only appear on the ballots for the 4th district in which she is running. Please give her your support whether you are voting for Clinton or Sanders.
Early voting starts on Thursday April 14th and the final day of the election is Tuesday, April 26th. If you have questions about where to vote go to: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/elections/Pages/default.aspx for more information. Make sure the voice of the ummah is heard!
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