Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin (D - 8th District) has endorsed incumbent Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich for reelection in this Tuesday's Democratic primary contest. Raskin made the announcement at a get-out-the-vote canvassing event yesterday, standing side-by-side with Elrich. “I had quite a week defending democracy against the coups, and the insurrections, the political violence, and the attempt to usurp the will of the people,” Raskin told the crowd, "so I thought I would just swing by to tell everybody that I'm voting for Marc Elrich, who is making democracy work here in Montgomery County."
Raskin and Elrich have a long history together. Both are from the highly-politically-active Takoma Park community, where Elrich served on the City Council, before being elected to the Montgomery County Council (At-Large) in 2006. “I have known Marc for most of my life," Raskin said yesterday. "He's always the same Marc. You know what you're going to get with Marc Elrich. We can count on him, and we counted on him through COVID-19, where Montgomery County became one of the leading counties in America to get people vaccinated and promote public health, And for that reason alone, we owe you a debt of gratitude."
COVID-19 has been a hot topic in this year's election, as some parents and businesspeople have organized behind Elrich's opponents on the very issue of pandemic policies that were instituted or proposed during his term in office, such as school closures, intervention in private school operations, and lockdowns of businesses. Others felt Elrich's policies were on-target, and have praised him for limiting the impact of the virus on the community before vaccines were widely available.
Raskin also saluted Elrich's successful efforts to raise the minimum wage, and his support of abortion rights. “There are two kinds of politicians out there," Raskin said. "There are power politicians, and there are justice politicians. Marc Elrich has always been the quintessential justice politician."
The endorsement comes at a key moment in a contentious race at the top of the County ballot. Elrich is facing three opponents in the July 19 primary: businessman David Blair, County Councilmember Hans Riemer and businessman Peter James. Blair has poured millions into his two campaigns, and Riemer has a campaign chest of grassroots donations and public matching funds that top $1 million.
Raskin has never had more name recognition among the public than today, thanks to his high-profile TV role in the impeachments of President Donald Trump, and on the January 6 Select Committee in Congress. The voters who support his work on those committees are very much in play in this Tuesday's election, giving Elrich a needed last-minute boost from another progressive who has the ear of his target voter.
“I am honored to have Congressman Raskin’s support in our campaign for re-election; he has been a fearless defender of democracy at the national level, and tireless in helping his constituents back home,” Elrich said in a statement this afternoon. “I thank Congressman Raskin for his relentless defense of democracy. I am grateful for his vote and support. I look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of Montgomery County residents.”
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