Madaleno’s Statement Regarding Ben Jealous’ Out-of-State Money
I’m revoking Ben’s “progressive” card.
Bullying women. Excessive speaking fees. Outside dark money. He comes in from California and claims “Marylander” status. Definitely not progressive credentials.
80% of Ben Jealous’ campaign is financed by out-of-state money. That works out to only $500,000 he’s raised from Maryland. Out-of-state billionaire donors pouring in money should concern every Marylander: Who is Ben Jealous going to be held accountable to? Maryland voters or his billionaire bosses?
Adelson, Bloomberg, Koch, Steyer, Ricketts, Soros. Our elections are becoming a billionaires’ board game.
Marvin Randolph, the campaign manager for “Together We Rise” PAC, was Ben’s Senior Vice President for Campaigns at the NAACP. This PAC also received out-of-state money, and money from SEIU and MSEA, which have endorsed Ben Jealous. Do we really believe there is no coordination between the Jealous campaign and “Together We Rise” PAC?
This is not something to be taken lightly. We see how the Trump Administration treats the most basic ethics rules and regulations, with a president who has never really given up his own business interests. The current Maryland Governor has also refused to release his tax returns, amid strong suspicions he has never given up his own real estate investments — just like his president.
I got into this race to fight against big monied interests. It’s why I chose to accept public financing of my campaign — the only gubernatorial candidate to do so. It is bad enough when Republicans like Larry Hogan sellout to the mega-wealthy elite, but it is disheartening to see self-proclaimed progressive Democrats do the same.
Don’t we want to finally elect a true lifelong Marylander, honest and not beholden to any kind of corporate interests or party bosses, one who will only have Marylanders’ interests in mind? At a time when ethics and transparency are not most officials’ guiding light, Maryland needs to be a beacon and lead the way.
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Rich Madaleno has served Montgomery County for 16 years in the Maryland General Assembly. He is an expert on budget issues, serving as Vice-Chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee. Additionally, Rich has been a leader in passing legislation on key progressive issues like marriage equality, ensuring funding for Planned Parenthood, investing in education, gender identity anti-discrimination, and protecting the environment.
To learn more, visit: madalenoformaryland.com.
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BY AUTHORITY: Marylanders for Madaleno-Jenkins. Linda Eisenstadt, Treasurer.
