By Tashi McQueen,
Report For America Corps Member,
Political Writer for The AFRO
On June 11th, 2022 Democratic State Central Committee candidate Evan L. Serpick posted to Twitter announcing Sen. Jill P. Carter’s (D-41) slate, which he is a member of. It was reposted by Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-40) and Sen. Carter (D-41) herself a day later.
Sen. Carter’s (D-41) slate includes Haki Shakur Ammi, Lakesha Brown, Shaq Carbon, Angela C. Gibson, Dayvon Love, Chris McSherry, Evan L. Serpick, and Tammy Stinnett. They represent Fallstaff/Crosskeys, Roland Park, Edmondson Village, Mount Washington, Yale Heights, Grove Park, Park Heights/Pimlico, and West Arlington.
“Very proud to be a part of @jillpcarter’s slate for Democratic State Central Committee from the 41st District, a slate that reflects the demographic and geographic diversity of the 41st. We’re up against a well-funded all-White slate and could use your support,” said Serpick via Twitter.
On the all-White slate is Alex Friedman, Bassheva “Shevy” Friedman, Sandy Rosenbluth, Issac “Yitzy” Schleifer, Tzvi Skaist, Tzvi Topper.
Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-40) exclaimed his outrage at the claimed discovery that “a city council member is pushing and funding an all-White slate of candidates.” He adds, “this should be exposed for what it is.”
Councilman Yitzy Schleifer is on the Baltimore City Council for the 5th District. In a statement to the AFRO, he said he’s running for state central committee to help put Democrats in office and appeal to young voters.
Sen. Hayes (D-41) stated that his continued use of ‘all-White’ was to prevent antisemitism claims. Even still, some community members quickly took to Twitter with said claims.
One Twitter user claimed Sen. Hayes’ (D-40) comments were “unacceptable anti-semitic attacks.” They deemed it an attack “on our democracy” to say that an ethnic group cannot seek representation.
Sen. Hayes (D-40) replied by claiming the injustice was that there was a diverse pool of candidates, economically and geographically. Yet candidates representing one group were chosen for the White slate.
“I created my slate in opposition to the all-White slate,” said Sen. Carter (D-41) to the AFRO. “It lacked diversity and accurate representation.”
According to the Baltimore Brew, on July 4, Yitzy Schleifer claimed he made his slate in opposition to Sen. Carter’s (D-41) slate due to the lack of “Orthodox Jewish candidates” on it.
To this, Serpick rebuttals, “This is a total flat out lie” via Twitter. He provides dated receipts of Councilman Schleifer’s signs and when he talked with Sen. Carter (D-41) about her slate. Providing photo evidence of text messages dating back to May 27th and an Instagram image promoting the all-White slate alongside others on May 26th.
“We have White people on the committee, proportional to the diversity of the community,” said Dayvon Love to the AFRO.
Sen. Carter (D-41) mentioned her curiosity about the scarcity of Schleifer’s slate promotion throughout its creation. There was no signage of it, as of June 17, outside of the Cross keys/Fallstaff area. As of July 10th Schleifer’s all-White slate can be seen via simple Instagram ads and in mailboxes with the words “recommendation of community leaders” pasted on the front.
Sen. Carter’s (D-41) ads acknowledge the slate as a slate and why she created it. Councilman Schleifer’s ads now recognize his ownership of the slate but do not acknowledge that it is a slate.
Schleifer is vocal on Instagram about his calls to action and checking other bodies of government but was silent about the slate and his involvement until the week of July 4.
For years the 41st District was a predominantly Black populated region. There remains a Black majority, but the number has declined to 62 percent in recent years, compared to Baltimore’s 27 percent White population.
Sen. Carter (D-41) was handed the torch in 2018, keeping a Black senator in office and marrying the interests of the predominantly Black and Jewish constituencies throughout her years.
From 2010 – 2020 the U.S. Census found that 35,253 people moved from Baltimore City. Diminishing the total population helped cause the 75 percent Black majority in 2002 to reduce. Still, Blacks have the majority by a large margin.
According to Dayvon Love, “Sen. Carter is loved neutrally – representing the majority of the district.”
A comment from one of her supporters upholds this claim.
“My forever State Senator Jill P. Carter will run unopposed to continue the work for #maryland 41st Legislative District,” said William A Goldsborough via Twitter.
July 19 is the primary election, and July 7-14 was the period for early voting.
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