| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
|
Abortion
Ashwani Jain: I believe in reproductive rights and reproductive justice.
Ben Jealous: Supports legislation protecting Planned Parenthood funding.
Ben Jealous: Supports Planned Parenthood and barrier-free services.
Dan Cox: I am unashamedly 100% Pro-Life from conception to death.
Dan Cox: Sponsored bills to severely restrict abortion access.
Doug Gansler: I have always fought for reproductive rights.
Ian Schlakman: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right.
Maya Cummings: Emily's List endorsement.
Larry Hogan: Personally opposed but no effect since it's legally settled.
Larry Hogan: 1980s: ban abortions; 1992: don't overturn pro-choice laws.
Larry Hogan: 1980: Bar all abortions in county hospitals.
Larry Hogan: Signed expansive birth control insurance bill.
Peter Franchot: A very important right that we need to defend for women.
Richard Madaleno: Supported Planned Parenthood when Feds tried to cut.
Richard Madaleno: 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland.
Shawn Quinn: Oppose late term abortions; support others.
Thomas Perez: Committed to protecting and advancing reproductive rights.
Wes Moore: Enshrine the right to abortion into Maryland's Constitution.
Wes Moore: Maryland will protect reproductive health and rights.
|
Budget & Economy
Ben Jealous: Rebuild economy that doesn't leave anyone behind.
Ian Schlakman: Stimulus better than market-led recovery.
Kelly M. Schulz: Help families and small businesses; restore our economy.
Peter Franchot: $5.5B in delinquent taxes; $1B in unclaimed property.
Peter Franchot: Led record state investments to transportation projects.
Peter Franchot: Reformed procurement system increasing accountability.
Peter Franchot: Bring high quality public transportation throughout state.
Richard Madaleno: Tax credits to companies offering 50% over minimum wage.
Robin Ficker: Improve transportation in congested parts of the state.
Rushern Baker: A strong transit system with diverse options is crucial.
Shawn Quinn: Market-led recovery better than stimulus.
Thomas Perez: Support small business, especially those needing extra help.
Thomas Perez: Ubiquitous, convenient transit needs to be a top priority.
Thomas Perez: Homeownership is the best source of affordable housing.
Wes Moore: Provide Minority Business Enterprises with support.
|
Civil Rights
Ashwani Jain: LGBTQ people welcome in Maryland: you make us stronger.
Ben Jealous: Experience as Civil Rights leader will move state forward.
Ben Jealous: Protect and expand protections for LGBTQ Marylanders.
Ben Jealous: At NAACP, supported same-sex marriage.
Dan Cox: Critical Race Theory is Marxist propaganda.
Dan Cox: Filed suit against high school transgender accommodation.
Doug Gansler: Received Equality Maryland award for support of LGBT rights.
John B. King: Great-grandfather enslaved; must grapple with racial equity.
John B. King: We undermine societal improvement by burying historic racism.
Larry Hogan: Respect state law on same-sex marriage (even if not my view).
Larry Hogan: I evolved and will not repeal same-sex marriage law.
Larry Hogan: Opposes a transgender rights bill.
Peter Franchot: Appoint Secretary of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Richard Madaleno: Committed to fighting for marriage equality & LGBTQ rights.
Richard Madaleno: Equality for gender identity; end same-sex discrimination.
Rushern Baker: Our differences are to be celebrated, accepted, protected.
Shawn Quinn: Strongly supports same-sex marriage.
Thomas Perez: Civil rights is part of his DNA (and job history).
Wes Moore: Ensure Maryland schools adopt LGBTQ+ affirming policies.
Wes Moore: In this country we have a 10 to 1 racial wealth gap .
|
Corporations
Ben Jealous: New taxes on out-of-state retailers & hedge fund income.
Peter Franchot: Less for corporate tax breaks, more help for small business.
Richard Madaleno: Support smaller businesses as job creators.
Wes Moore: Increase diversity on Maryland corporate boards.
|
Crime
Alec Ross: Education key to addressing crime.
Ashwani Jain: Ban the use of chokeholds; end the money-bail system.
Ashwani Jain: Repeal prohibition of prosecution for marital sexual assault.
Ben Jealous: Smart-on-crime policies that create a just system for all.
Ben Jealous: Diversion to shrink prison population 30%.
Dan Cox: Hold dangerous criminals accountable with stiff jail terms.
Dan Cox: End police vaccine mandate and increase police pay.
Doug Gansler: Bring every police shooting to the grand jury.
Ian Schlakman: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime.
Peter Franchot: End all use of no-knock warrants.
Richard Madaleno: Require data collection on race-based traffic stops.
Rushern Baker: Key to public safety is healing underlying root causes.
Shawn Quinn: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime.
Thomas Perez: We need full-scale, nationwide reform of police departments.
Wes Moore: Remove barriers to state aid for those with criminal records.
Larry Hogan: Losing faith in our justice system a really serious problem.
Wes Moore: Reform juvenile justice system, give boys a second chance.
Christopher Bouchat: Compassion for rehabilitation, but demand consequences.
|
Drugs
Alec Ross: Let's see response to medical marijuana.
Ashwani Jain: Legalize marijuana, expunge the records of those imprisoned.
Ashwani Jain: Treat drug use as a public health crisis, not a crime.
Ben Jealous: Recognizes the suffering caused from the opioid epidemic.
Ben Jealous: Fully legalize marijuana & collect license fees & taxes.
Dan Cox: Opposed to the legalization of marijuana.
Doug Gansler: Legalize cannabis and expunge convictions.
Doug Gansler: Drug use should be treated like a public health problem.
Ian Schlakman: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug.
Larry Hogan: New tools to pursue criminal organizations in drug trade.
Larry Hogan: Expand medical marijuana; wait on recreational marijuana.
Martin O`Malley: Baltimore recovered from open-air drug markets.
Peter Franchot: If legalized wants benefits to go to areas impacted in past.
Richard Madaleno: Allow petitioning for expunging marijuana arrest record.
Richard Madaleno: Opioid epidemic is health issue, not criminal one.
Richard Madaleno: Co-sponsored marijuana legalization bill.
Rushern Baker: Those hit by war on drugs owed windfall from legalization.
Shawn Quinn: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug.
Thomas Perez: Legalization means jobs, revenue; address past injustice.
Thomas Perez: Both treatment and prevention to deal with opioid addiction.
Wes Moore: Legalize cannabis, expunge possession convictions.
Robin Ficker: Supports legalizing cannabis; expunge past records.
|
Education
Alec Ross: One Economy: Internet & content to low-income schools.
Ashwani Jain: Public dollars should be used to improve public schools.
Ashwani Jain: Ease student loan debt for those who teach public school.
Ashwani Jain: For comprehensive Sex Ed in public schools.
Ben Jealous: Raise school spending with gambling revenue & legalized pot.
Ben Jealous: Criticized proposals vouchers proposals.
Ben Jealous: Make community college free; make 4-year college debt-free.
Dan Cox: Constitutional education mandate must include school choice.
Dan Cox: End Marxist type approach: CRT, gender indoctrination.
Ian Schlakman: Opposes vouchers for school choice.
John B. King: Expand education access; seek universal preschool.
John B. King: Inspiring public school teachers saved my life.
Larry Hogan: Expand scholarships for community college tuition.
Maya Cummings: Public education should be path to success.
Peter Franchot: Supports financial literacy & college capital projects.
Peter Franchot: Healthy classrooms yes; standardized testing no.
Peter Franchot: Fully debt-free paths to a vocational or college degree.
Richard Madaleno: Public schools are the key to our future.
Richard Madaleno: Free community college tuition.
Robin Ficker: We need to teach kids to love libraries, not raise taxes.
Rushern Baker: For fully funding The Blueprint for Maryland's future.
Shawn Quinn: Vouchers for public and private school choice.
Thomas Perez: Put himself through college with Pell grants & taking jobs.
Thomas Perez: Committed to fully funding our education system.
Thomas Perez: Pay teachers equitable and professional salaries.
Thomas Perez: Equal access to early childhood education.
Thomas Perez: Invest in school construction to address overcrowding.
Thomas Perez: We must work to promote diversity among our educators.
Thomas Perez: Make community colleges, trade schools tuition-free.
Wes Moore: Fully fund Blueprint for Education, Child Care.
Wes Moore: $5M in grants to expand access to post-secondary education.
|
Energy & Oil
Ashwani Jain: Ban fracking; deactivate all in-state coal power plants.
Ashwani Jain: We need to invest in solar and offshore wind farms.
Ashwani Jain: We must take deliberate steps to focus on climate justice.
Ben Jealous: Will set deadline to change to 100% clean, renewable energy.
Doug Gansler: Begin work on 4 Gigawatts offshore wind generation by 2026.
Doug Gansler: Use school funding/construction to promote renewable energy.
Ian Schlakman: Prioritize green energy.
John B. King: It's past time to act on climate change, shift to renewables.
Peter Franchot: Our target goal for moving fully to renewable energy is 2030.
Richard Madaleno: Maryland should lead way on renewable energy.
Richard Madaleno: Supports Paris Climate Agreement & regulating greenhouse gas.
Rushern Baker: Move up goal of 100% renewable energy to 2030.
Shawn Quinn: Oppose prioritizing green energy.
Thomas Perez: 80% carbon free by 2030, 100% by 2035.
Thomas Perez: Renewable energy means high paying jobs open to unionization.
Thomas Perez: Offshore wind a win for workers, businesses, & environment.
Wes Moore: Reduce 60% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
|
Environment
Alec Ross: Ready to confront major polluters.
Ashwani Jain: Ban single-use plastic bags; achieve 100% composting.
Ashwani Jain: Help farmers afford water conservation requirements.
Ben Jealous: Protecting environment will give back economic opportunities.
Ben Jealous: Protecting our planet is not just a moral imperative.
Doug Gansler: Won largest environmental settlement in American history.
Ian Schlakman: Supports EPA regulation.
Larry Hogan: Rolled back "rain tax" that reduced Chesapeake Bay pollution.
Maya Cummings: Environmental protection a priority.
Peter Franchot: Voted for over $1.4 billion in environmental protection.
Peter Franchot: Work with EPA to help clean up Chesapeake Bay.
Richard Madaleno: Increase funding for Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Shawn Quinn: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach.
Wes Moore: Will push back against Supreme Court ruling against EPA.
Christopher Bouchat: Eliminate obsolete Vehicles Emissions Inspection Program.
|
Families & Children
Arvin Vohra: Marriage isn't magic but skills can be learned.
Ashwani Jain: Create a Paid Family Leave Insurance Fund.
Ashwani Jain: Require free menstrual products in public school bathrooms.
Ben Jealous: Require 5 days of paid sick leave; invest in employee health.
Doug Gansler: Universal pre-kindergarten and universal child care.
Ian Schlakman: Comfortable with same-sex marriage.
Maya Cummings: Support family security in workplace.
Richard Madaleno: Stricter regulations on BPA, concussions, & child seats.
Thomas Perez: Parents need support to help them juggle work and family.
Wes Moore: Paid sick, family, and medical leave for every Marylander.
|
Foreign Policy
Ian Schlakman: Oppose American Exceptionalism.
Martin O`Malley: Respect my right to shy away from foreign policy.
Martin O`Malley: Israeli separation barrier might be called "peace wall".
Richard Madaleno: No state contracts if connected to Iran.
Shawn Quinn: No opinion on American Exceptionalism.
Dan Cox: Accused Republican governor of links to Chinese Communists.
|
Free Trade
Ian Schlakman: Don't expand free trade.
Richard Madaleno: Preference for American-made goods in state procurement.
Shawn Quinn: Support & expand free trade.
Wes Moore: Tariffs are a tool; they're not an ideology.
Wes Moore: Trump's tariffs: an unnecessary and self-imposed trade war.
|
Government Reform
Ashwani Jain: Committed to imposing anti-corruption measures.
Ben Jealous: Dual attack: disenfranchisement & Citizens United.
Ben Jealous: Require federal nonpartisan redistricting.
Dan Cox: Require citizen voter ID, end unverified mail-in ballots.
Dan Cox: One of the big issues is less burdensome regulations.
Dan Cox: We need more transparency; all meetings will be open.
Doug Gansler: Judicial retention elections promote diversity on the bench.
Ian Schlakman: Make voter registration easier.
Larry Hogan: Vetoed restoring voting rights to 40,000 ex-offenders.
Larry Hogan: Undo restored voting rights to ex-felons.
Larry Hogan: Just like Trump he refuses to release his tax returns.
Michael Steele: Biden showed moral courage in criticizing voter suppression.
Michael Steele: We know this is all about a fear of black voters.
Peter Franchot: Deliver on specific goals to rebuild trust in government.
Peter Franchot: Create a universal, transparent vote by mail system.
Richard Madaleno: Same-day voter registration & automatic registration at MVA.
Robin Ficker: 2016: Helped pass ballot measure for county term limits.
Rushern Baker: Require dark money groups to disclose their donors.
Shawn Quinn: Make voter registration easier.
Thomas Perez: Increase accessible voting centers; end long lines.
Thomas Perez: Overhaul state unemployment system from ground up.
Thomas Perez: Open environmental data to fullest extent possible.
Wes Moore: Opposed GOP voter ID bill as voter suppression.
Christopher Bouchat: End partisan gerrymandering of legislative districts.
Christopher Bouchat: Supports amendment for term limits on Congress.
|
Gun Control
Ben Jealous: Wants governor to join multi-state coalition on gun control.
Ben Jealous: Universal background checks & gun courts.
Dan Cox: Will work to bring Constitutional Carry to Maryland.
Dan Cox: Need more gun freedom to combat growing evil of far left.
Dan Cox: Opposed state bill banning ghost guns.
Doug Gansler: Supported Maryland's handgun permitting law.
Ian Schlakman: No absolute right to gun ownership.
Jeff Colyer: Pro-Second Amendment, authentic conservative.
Maya Cummings: Focus on gun violence.
Larry Hogan: Instant background checks tied to the federal system.
Larry Hogan: Ban bump stocks and other rapid-trigger devices.
Larry Hogan: Increase age of unsupervised access from 16 to 18.
Richard Madaleno: Ban assault weapons; ban bump stocks.
Peter Franchot: Sponsored strict gun control legislation.
Richard Madaleno: Sponsored ban on guns on campus.
Shawn Quinn: Absolute right to gun ownership.
Wes Moore: Combat gun violence, ban ghost guns.
Ashwani Jain: For universal background checks & universal licensing.
|
Health Care
Alec Ross: Favors public option over single payer.
Ben Jealous: Medicare-for-all is the answer to make healthcare affordable.
Dan Cox: On day one I will end the vaccine and health mandates.
Doug Gansler: Operate 10 new regional behavioral centers across the state.
Ian Schlakman: Supports National Improved Medicare for All.
Maya Cummings: Universal health care is the goal.
Larry Hogan: Beat cancer with chemotherapy while in office.
Peter Franchot: Expand Medicaid; control cost of insurance premiums.
Richard Madaleno: Single-payer would be ideal outcome.
Richard Madaleno: Prohibit price gouging for generic drugs.
Rushern Baker: Implement a single-payer Medicare for All program.
Shawn Quinn: Oppose ObamaCare.
Thomas Perez: 94% healthcare coverage not good enough; goal is 100%.
Thomas Perez: Ensure that there is equal access to mental health care.
Thomas Perez: Implement and strengthen state health equity program.
Wes Moore: Ensure access to quality, affordable health care coverage.
Ashwani Jain: Healthcare is a human right; supports a public option.
Dan Cox: Representing client objecting to COVID test swabs.
|
Homeland Security
Ben Jealous: Advocate for veterans; honor the Buffalo Soldiers.
Dan Cox: I strongly believe that veterans need to be supported.
Doug Gansler: Expand programs and housing for homeless veterans.
Ian Schlakman: Don't expand the military.
Shawn Quinn: Neutral on expanding the military.
Wes Moore: Expand and improve quality of care for veterans.
|
Immigration
Ashwani Jain: Police shouldn't ask individuals about immigration status.
Ashwani Jain: Advocate for Sanctuary counties & refugee right to counsel.
Ben Jealous: For society to be healthy all members need to be embraced.
Ben Jealous: Stand up to Trump's Muslim ban.
Ben Jealous: Defend DREAMers & champion a pathway to citizenship.
Dan Cox: Remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities.
Ian Schlakman: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Larry Hogan: Feed & clothe illegal immigrant kids; then deport them.
Larry Hogan: Reject Trump policy of separating families at the border.
Martin O`Malley: Feed & clothe illegal immigrant kids; then find foster homes.
Peter Franchot: Praised tax credit that includes undocumented people.
Richard Madaleno: Allow Syrian refugees into US and Maryland.
Shawn Quinn: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.
Thomas Perez: As board president, grew local immigrant advocacy group.
Thomas Perez: Guarantee healthcare to immigrants, regardless of status.
Wes Moore: We are going to follow the Constitution on ICE cooperation.
|
Jobs
Ashwani Jain: Expand access to collective bargaining & union rights.
Ashwani Jain: Create the nation's first Guaranteed Jobs Program.
Ben Jealous: Knows firsthand the benefits of working union jobs.
Ben Jealous: Fight to raise minimum wage to $15/hr.
Doug Gansler: Raising the minimum wage is a racial justice issue.
Ian Schlakman: Legally require hiring more women/minorities.
Maya Cummings: Boost income for low-paid workers.
Peter Franchot: Create 100,000 family supporting jobs in 100 weeks.
Richard Madaleno: Raise minimum wage to $15 to boost economy.
Richard Madaleno: Require state contractors to support apprenticeships.
Rushern Baker: Make Maryland the nation's Black Business Startup Capital.
Shawn Quinn: Oppose affirmative action but no discriminatory hiring.
Thomas Perez: Inequitable that women still not receiving equal pay.
Thomas Perez: Expand Maryland business-based job training program.
Wes Moore: Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023.
Wes Moore: Protect and expand the right of workers to join unions.
Wes Moore: Ensure equal pay for women, remove salary history in hiring.
|
Principles & Values
Ashwani Jain: Remove religious exemptions in state non-discrimination laws.
Ashwani Jain: Every event I host will be free, open to the press.
Ben Jealous: Background rooted in civil rights and social justice.
Dan Cox: Trump: Dan Cox is an America First Patriot.
Dan Cox: Can't back down from reliance upon God, law and order.
Dan Cox: Tweeted "Pence is a Traitor" during Capitol attack.
Doug Gansler: Helps run a non-profit lacrosse league for inner-city youth.
Ian Schlakman: Opposes keeping God in the public sphere.
John B. King: Teacher, administrator, Obama's Secretary of Education.
John B. King: A progressive problem solver; work to expand opportunity.
John B. King: Crises can be catalysts for change: it's up to us.
Kelly M. Schulz: Served in House of Delegates and as Labor Secretary.
Larry Hogan: Return GOP to its roots, become a bigger tent.
Larry Hogan: Return to the party of Lincoln and Reagan.
Michael Steele: If you're not ready to listen, you will never learn.
Michael Steele: Religion set how I come to view and experience the world.
Michael Steele: Trump turned GOP from honorable party to personality cult.
Peter Franchot: Measure commitment not by money spent, but results we demand.
Peter Franchot: Would melt down Confederate statue, make door knobs.
Shawn Quinn: Opposes God in the public sphere.
Richard Madaleno: Social justice for all people.
Robin Ficker: Was noted NBA heckler; they responded with "Ficker rule".
Rushern Baker: Withdrew from gubernatorial race before primary.
Wes Moore: Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed.
Dan Cox: Organized buses to StopTheSteal January 6 rally .
Wes Moore: Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.
Wes Moore: People are exhausted by performative politics.
Dan Cox: Proud of his endorsement by Trump in 2022.
|
Social Security
Ian Schlakman: Don't privatize Social Security.
Peter Franchot: Tax incentives for seniors for mentorship program.
Shawn Quinn: Neutral on privatizing Social Security.
Thomas Perez: Enforce laws misclassifying workers to avoid taxes.
|
Tax Reform
Ashwani Jain: Eliminate the state income tax for 95% of Maryland workers.
Ashwani Jain: Ensure richest pay their fair share of taxes.
Ben Jealous: Tax the top 1% earners by 1% to pay for free college.
Dan Cox: Oppose any tax increase, support tax cuts on every level.
Doug Gansler: Employer tax credits for businesses hiring military spouses.
Ian Schlakman: Higher taxes on the wealthy.
John B. King: If we have to pay a little more in taxes, we should.
John B. King: Ask wealthiest to pay fair share, end corporate giveaways.
Larry Hogan: Protect Marylanders negative effects of Trump tax cut.
Larry Hogan: My predecessors imposed 40 tax increases over 8 years.
Peter Franchot: Supported online retailers collecting state sales tax.
Peter Franchot: Ease filing for those with simple tax obligations.
Shawn Quinn: Oppose higher taxes on the wealthy.
Richard Madaleno: Raise estate tax at state level since feds won't.
Robin Ficker: Cut sales tax by two cents; give everyone a tax cut.
Robin Ficker: Fought to limit property tax hikes to rate of inflation.
Wes Moore: Supported making child tax credit fully refundable.
|
Technology
Alec Ross: Obama/Clinton advisor on internet freedom & technology.
Ben Jealous: Make investment in infrastructure a must-have priority.
Peter Franchot: Access to the internet will become a right for each citizen.
Richard Madaleno: Investment for all transportation, not partisan slush fund.
Thomas Perez: We must build equitable digital infrastructure.
|
War & Peace
Ian Schlakman: Avoid foreign entanglements.
Shawn Quinn: Avoid foreign entanglements.
|
Welfare & Poverty
Ashwani Jain: Offer grants, incentives to grocers to serve food deserts.
Doug Gansler: Provide economic incentives to address housing affordability.
Richard Madaleno: Supports affordable housing & community development projects.
Rushern Baker: Affordable housing is a right.
Thomas Perez: Invest in state's successful affordable housing program.
Wes Moore: Prioritize environmental justice for low-income communities.
|
