The African-American community had a successful primary election in Maryland on June 23, 2026, with several African-American candidates securing nominations for key county executive posts and state delegate positions, including the potential addition of Adrian Boafo to the congressional delegation.
Category: POLITICS
Posted inElections 2026
Rain and low turnout mark Maryland’s June 23 primary elections
Despite rainy weather on Maryland’s Primary Election Day, voters across Baltimore turned out to cast ballots and stressed the importance of civic engagement. Many cited voting as a responsibility owed to past generations and a necessary way to influence issues affecting their communities, including the cost of living, representation and quality of life.
Posted inBaltimore Government
Lawsuit against Baltimore mayor emerges amid national DEI scrutiny
Andrew C. Freeman, former vice president of real estate development at East Baltimore Development Inc., has filed a federal lawsuit and EEOC complaint alleging racial discrimination against Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and city leadership. The lawsuit comes as legal experts and labor advocates debate growing federal scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and the rise of “reverse discrimination” claims.
Posted inD.C. Government
Janesse Lewis George wins decisively in Democratic primary for D.C. mayor
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO On June 16, in what many described as one of the most significant elections in the city’s history, Washington, D.C. voters overwhelmingly chose Ward 4 Councilmember Janesse Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist, as the Democratic candidate for mayor. Political pundits had predicted that with the District implementing ranked-choice […]
Posted inPOLITICS
AFRO News endorses Malcolm Ruff for Maryland Senate
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer Attorney and Maryland State Delegate Malcolm Ruff has emerged as the best candidate in District 41’s highly-contentious race for the Maryland Senate seat. Facing off against an incumbent who has been beleaguered by a recent indictment on charges of extortion and conspiracy, Ruff has remained focused on laying out […]
Posted inNational News
Haitian woman’s hypothermia death after release from ICE custody ruled a homicide
By Jack Dura The Associated Press A medical examiner has ruled the death of a Haitian asylum seeker after being released from federal custody a homicide. An attorney representing her family said he expects her relatives to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with her death. Daphy Michel, 31, died March 2. She was found […]
Posted inBaltimore News
ICE arrest outside Baltimore elementary school draws rebukes from state and local officials
An ICE arrest outside a Baltimore elementary school during end-of-year celebrations has sparked criticism from Maryland and local officials, who say the operation traumatized children and families and undermined the sense of safety at schools. Federal officials defended the arrest, alleging the suspect resisted officers and endangered an agent, while the incident renewed debate over immigration enforcement near educational settings after the 47th president’s administration ended longstanding protections for schools.
Posted inU.S. Government
FBI raids office of Ohio voting rights group
The FBI searched the Cleveland office of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a voting rights and grassroots advocacy group, as part of an investigation into potential voter fraud, seizing documents and electronic files while also interviewing current and former associates. The raid comes amid a broader Trump administration push to scrutinize election operations and voting-related activities, raising concerns among critics that the actions could discourage voter participation ahead of Ohio’s closely watched elections.
Posted inPOLITICS
AFRO News endorses candidates in key Maryland and D.C. races ahead of midterm primaries
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer 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. […]
Posted inNAACP
Baltimore County NAACP delivers civil rights address
By Kendra BryantSpecial to the AFRO The NAACP Baltimore County branch hosted the “State of Civil Rights Address,” delivered by President Roland Patterson Jr. at St. Stephen AME Church in Essex on May 30. Issues within the Black community, including excessive force, redistricting and an increase in traffic stops were discussed. On Feb. 16, Samuel […]
Posted inU.S. Government
US will start revoking passports for thousands of parents who owe child support, AP learns
The U.S. State Department will begin revoking passports on May 8 for Americans who owe $100,000 or more in unpaid child support, affecting about 2,700 people initially. Officials say the policy will soon expand to include anyone owing more than $2,500, using passport revocation as a tool to pressure parents to settle overdue child support debts.
Posted inDistrict of Columbia Government
D.C. Council extends federal transparency laws
Washington, D.C. transparency laws governing the Metropolitan Police Department’s interactions with federal officers have been extended through November, amid ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity and debate over accountability, oversight and public trust in policing throughout the District.
