For Immediate Release Annapolis Republican Party Spreads Fake News Annapolis, Md. In a bid to shape the general election field, the Annapolis Republican Central Committee took the unusual and underhanded step of mailing attack ads against Democratic candidates to Democratic Primary voters today. In a move reminiscent of the 2016 election, they even created a fake headline for the Annapolis Capital on one postcard and used unsubstantiated claims and name-calling on another. "We would encourage every Democratic primary voter to consider the source when they check their mailboxes today and vote for the candidate of their choice tomorrow. We have great candidates on the ballot, don't let today's Putin-inspired Republican tricks influence your decision." -Tom McCarthy, Annapolis Democratic Central Committee Chair "Perhaps if the Republican Party had fielded stronger candidates, they wouldn't feel the need to interfere in the Democratic Party's primary election using dirty political tactics." "I am proud to be a member of a party that doesn't have to stoop to interfering with someone else's election." - Alderman Joe Budge, Ward 1 "Like most Democrats in Ward 1, today I received an unsolicited mailer authorized by the Republican Party that is straight out of the Trump playbook. I pride myself in having run a respectable campaign and this kind of tactic is insulting to hardworking Democratic candidates and is a prime example of Republican partisan politics." "Today's eleventh-hour mailer is obviously an attempt to fracture our community here in Ward 7, and we won't be divided by it. Going into the general election, I urge residents in Ward 7 to be diligent and critical of those who utilize these tactics. People are sick of dirty political games." - Alexus Viegas, Candidate, Ward 7. |
The Annapolis Democratic Central Committee (ADCC) supports a strong and viable Democratic Party in the City of Annapolis through voter registration campaigns, promoting the election of the Democratic nominees, fund raising, and encouraging broad participation in the Democratic Party.
We are visible, active, and effective. You can make a difference by getting involved too!
The Annapolis Democratic Central Committee has a vacancy for Ward 2 Alternate. This is an important and stimulating way to become involved in local politics. If you have interest, time and energy, are a registered Democrat with residing in Ward 2, please contact Ward 2 ADCC member = Kurt Riegel
Annapolis Democrats travel to the 2016 Philadelphia Convention
Insights: How the ADCC Helps Candidates, and More
As I thought through it I came to a better understanding of the purpose of both the central committee and party affiliation in general. For example, what is the purpose of parties? Candidates for office in our system run with a party affiliation because they believe in the general values espoused by the party. The party, in turn, supports all of its candidates. Voters choose parties and candidates for the same reasons.
Speaker Bush addresses Democratic values very well when he describes the difference between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats believe the the government can play a productive and supportive role in peoples lives. Republicans don't. Candidates affiliate with the Democratic party because they support that belief AND they want to support other Democrats.
At the city, county, and state level, central committees and political clubs will broadly support candidates not just as individuals, but as members of the party. This usually happens through party centered, multiple candidate advertising or through GOTV efforts, but there are many other forms that broad support can take.
A symptom of a breakdown of party contiguity is a candidate that says they will run with a particular party affiliation, but will not support the party in general. This suggests that that candidate doesn't support the party's positions, is running on a single issue and party affiliation is incidental, or they are simply taking advantage of the broader efforts of the party and the other affiliated candidates that ARE supporting the party's positions and outreach efforts. Such a candidate will invariably fail to broadcast the party's message along with their own.
As this breakdown spreads it infects the electorate in the form of a distortion or usurpation of the party's message. The electorate begins to focus on specific issues that can be easily manipulated by the opposition in individual races. The result is a voter that has lost touch with the reason they became a Democrat in the first place. The inevitable next step is a change in party affiliation. This is happening now in Annapolis and all across Maryland as voters chose to become independents or cross party lines.
A breakdown in party contiguity on the part of both candidates and the electorate is part of the reason that both Josh Cohen and Anthony Brown lost their respective elections.
The 2017 election will not be a normal city election; quite possibly in a significantly more contentious way than in 2013. We are expecting the Republican party to give record breaking support to candidates in Annapolis. They consider Mike Pantaledes' win a foot in the door that they will not give up without a bitter fight. Council candidates who ran unopposed should not expect the same luxury in 2017.
We need to coalesce as a party - as Democrats - and begin preparing for that fight. A key component of this is abandoning the idea that only individuals are running in a particular ward or district and recognizing that we are members of a team. In this election, that may be the difference between winning and losing in the big picture.
Stop the Madness: Mobilizing the Vote Against Intolerance & Extremism
March 16, 2016 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm,
St. Philip's Church, FLC,
730 Bestgate Rd,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Sunday, October 18 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Home of Bob Gallagher & Cate Greene
4th of July Parade, 2015
It happened and it was great. 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Amos Garrett & West St to City Dock saw the Annapolis, District 30, and Anne Arundel Democratic organizations marching together to show your support for our candidates and elected officials. The route was through historic Annapolis to City Dock where all sorts of holiday festivities ensued.
ADCC Regular Monthly Meeting
Third Wednesday of each month, 7 pm at the Mt. Olive AME Church, 2 Hicks Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 (map). Open to all who wish to come and support the efforts of our local party.
Ward 4 Vacancy on the ADCC
The Ward 4 Alternate slot is vacant. If you are a Ward 4 resident, a Democrat, and would like to become involved this is a perfect opportunity. Please contact Tracy Hartman and/or John Giannetti.
District 30 Democratic Club
The District 30 Democratic Club also supports our candidates and organizes volunteers. Please contact President SarahElfreth@gmail.com. District 30 meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm at Union Jack's, 2072 Somerville Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401.
