By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Villareal “VJ” Johnson plans to keep community voices at the forefront if elected to the D.C. council member for Ward 7. Johnson is a D.C. native who found his way to community service and hasn’t stopped since. Johnson has been engaging in Ward 7 for about 20 years. “I have […]
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Posted inMaryland Government
Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger and Steny Hoyer endorse Johnny Olszewski for Congress
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Longtime Congressional Democrats Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.-02) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) endorsed Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. (D) for Maryland’s Second Congressional District on Feb. 21. Ruppersberger announced he was retiring from Congress in January, leaving his seat open this election year. “You must move […]
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Ivan Bates announces indictments of five Baltimore City and County police officers in three separate cases
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced on Feb. 20 that his Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit has indicted five law enforcement officers with various offenses in three separate cases. “Wearing the badge of law enforcement and protecting and serving the residents of Maryland is an honor and a […]
Posted inU.S. Government
Rep. Jim Clyburn steps down from Democratic leadership
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Longtime legislator Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.-6) announced his departure from Democratic leadership on Feb. 14. “I have informed Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.-8) of my intention to step down as assistant democratic leader of the House Democratic Caucus. I am deeply grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
Gov. Wes Moore highlights collaboration, crime reduction tactics in 2024 State of the State address
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore (D), Maryland’s first Black Governor, delivered his second State of the State address on Feb.7, highlighting partnership as a way to tackle state initiatives and challenges. “One year ago, we began our work together. We knew our state had boundless opportunities and blinding potential,” said Moore. “One […]
Posted inMaryland Government
Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland unveils 2024 priorities
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) recently unveiled their 2024 legislative priorities, which include upholding recently passed juvenile justice laws, making resources more available for Maryland’s small businesses and ensuring prescription drugs are affordable for Black Marylanders. “Members of the legislature founded the Legislative Black […]
Posted inPolitics
Meet Baltimore City mayoral candidate Don Scoggins
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com As candidacy filing deadline for Maryland’s primary was Feb. 9, the AFRO is sitting down with said candidates to ensure residents know their options. Don Scoggins is one of multiple candidates running for Baltimore City Mayor this year. Q: What was your childhood like? A: My father lived […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Brandon M. Scott signs formerly stalled housing legislation, bolsters city’s goal for equitable housing
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott officially signed the formerly stalled CB 23-0195, “Inclusionary Housing for Baltimore City” and the CB 23-0369, “High-Performance Inclusionary Tax Credit” into law on Jan. 22. Both laws will ensure there are more affordable homes available in Baltimore as soon as next year. […]
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Councilman Zeke Cohen to introduce bills for a new independent redistricting commission
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1) will introduce an ordinance and charter amendment, creating an independent redistricting commission in Baltimore City – fundamentally altering the process. Cohen will introduce the legislation at a city council meeting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 12. “What we came up with was this […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski runs for Congress
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com As the Feb. 9 candidacy filing deadline approached, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D) announced his bid for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District seat. He officially filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections on Jan. 31. The campaign launch comes after U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) announced Jan. 26 […]
Posted in2024 Elections
Thiru Vignarajah announces his candidacy, plan to run on public financing
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah, former deputy attorney general of Maryland, is running for mayor of Baltimore City yet again. “I hope the people of Baltimore understand that I love running, but I love running for Baltimore,” said Vignarajah on Jan. 24 to reporters outside Baltimore City Hall. Vignarajah ran an unsuccessful […]
Posted in!Front Page Maryland New
State and city leaders release bill to relieve impoverished neighborhoods
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and other legislators across the city and state gathered in support of the new legislation, the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households Grant Program (ENOUGH Act), SB482/HB694. “As legislators, we get tens of hundreds of emails, sometimes tens of thousands of […]
