MADALENO WINS TWO SEPARATE STRAW POLLS IN 48 HOURS

United for Maryland and Young Democrats of Maryland hold forums Sunday and Monday; Madaleno Demonstrates Knowledge, Expertise and Voter Appeal

Bethesda and Annapolis, MD — Two straw polls conducted in the last forty-eight hours demonstrate one clear picture: when Rich Madaleno gets in front of an audience, his competitors for the Democratic Gubernatorial nomination had better step up their game.

United for Maryland PAC hosted its second gubernatorial forum, a “Fireside Chat”, in Bethesda on February 18. The group is self-described as “a coalition of diverse grassroots organizations dedicated to informing the public regarding the gubernatorial candidates, and getting out the Democratic vote. Our mission is to identify and support strong Democratic gubernatorial candidates for Maryland who are committed to inclusive and responsive government and to the principles of transparency, equity and fiscal responsibility.” At the Fireside Chat, the audience was polled before the forum began and at the conclusion. Betsy Halsey, President of United for Maryland states, “significant findings from the forum include the following: a significant portion of the audience moved from ‘undecided’ to supporting a specific candidate after hearing the candidates speak; many switched from favoring one candidate before the forum to another after hearing the candidates; State Senator Rich Madaleno garnered the most post-forum votes.” Complete poll results are available on United For Maryland’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unitedformaryland

Madaleno easily led the field with 39% of undecideds switching to him, and garnering an even more significant 49% of voters switching their allegiances from one candidate to Madaleno.

On Monday, February 19 Madaleno spoke before the Young Democrats of Maryland in Annapolis. Appearing with newly announced Lieutenant Governor running mate Luwanda Jenkins, Madaleno spoke to the audience of young activists about the importance of policies that resonate with younger voters, the political state of play, and his desire to ensure his campaign isn’t about just a Madaleno-Jenkins ticket, but about the entire Maryland Democratic Party and the need to grow and expand the party to win elections up and down the ballot.

Joseph Kitchen, President of the Young Democrats of Maryland offered his take on the day’s events, which saw three other gubernatorial candidates and a lieutenant governor candidate present before the Young Democrats’ attendees. “I think that young people will be a determining age group and demographic in this election, and the Democratic campaign that is best able to articulate a message to young people, to get that message to young people, and to turn young people out will win,” said Kitchen. “And today, it looks like that message came from Senator Madaleno, who talked about his work in Annapolis, and how he will continue to further that work when he is in the State House, and also how he will build a party around it.”

Madaleno was clearly pleased with the results. “I want to thank United for Maryland and the Young Democrats of Maryland for being great hosts, putting on great events, and demonstrating the core essence of what democracy looks like in our country.”

Madaleno concluded, “It is unfortunate that not all of the candidates are choosing to participate in this most sacred of democratic processes. However, I am pleased that most of my competitors are right there with me to discuss the most important issues to Marylanders, and that my message of progressive solutions and pragmatic experience is resonating with the public. Now that my running mate Luwanda Jenkins has joined the campaign, we look forward to spreading our message and listening to the people from Ocean City to Oakland, Maryland.”

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BY AUTHORITY: Marylanders for Rich Madaleno. Linda Eisenstadt, Treasurer.