Maryland Democratic Party Sounds the Alarm on Far-Right Groups Infiltrating Down-Ballot, Non-Partisan Races

In a first for the State Party, Maryland Democrats invest resources in school board races to counter influence of radical right-wing groups Moms for Liberty, 1776 Project

Annapolis, MD – In an unprecedented move amid a competitive election year, the Maryland Democratic Party (MDP) is directly investing in school board races across the state for the first time in modern Party history. The investments are aimed at countering the far-right agenda being championed by extremist and hate-group aligned candidates running in non-partisan school board races around the state.

This cycle, the Maryland Democratic Party has built the largest coordinated campaign in Maryland history, and, in addition to leveraging the organization to deploy canvassers in targeted school board races, the Party is directly investing in candidates and local organizations. In a number of races, these investments will close the gap for candidates trailing in fundraising against their right-wing opponents and other races will help extend candidates’ cash on hand lead. 

“The Maryland Democratic Party is committed to defending our students from the dangerous fringe agenda that extremist candidates and the far-right groups are hoping to bring to our state,” said MDP Chair Ken Ulman. “We won’t allow radical activists dedicated to banning books and discriminating against students to take over our schools.”

Moms for Liberty, which was recently officially designated as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, has taken an active role in promoting school board candidates in Maryland who seek to undermine public education. Their hate and anti-freedom agenda includes book bans, targeting LGBTQ+ youth, and rewriting our history. Following their lead is the 1776 Project, a far-right-funded group that has established a PAC to target school board races with the same hate-filled agenda. This is the same organization that received the largest fine in Maryland history for violating election disclosure laws last fall. 

“In Maryland, we commit to leaving no one behind, especially our children. Democrats won’t stand by and let well-funded right-wing bullies target marginalized students and give them the false impression they don’t have a place in our schools,” said Dr. Charlene Dukes, Vice Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. “Radical groups like Moms for Liberty have no place in shaping our children’s education, and we’re confident Marylanders will send them that message clearly and loudly at the ballot box this fall.” 

We will not allow candidates to “sane wash” their extremism, especially as candidates attempt to soften their extremist edges.

Meet just ***SOME*** of the extreme candidates around the state. 

• Chuck Yocum (Anne Arundel)
  • Credibly accused of sexual assault of minors 
  • Casts doubt on the women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual assault
  • Demeans women and individuals with disabilities using terms like “b*tch,” “slut,” “whore,” “r*tard.”
  • Centers culture wars over academics in his policy platform, including anti-LGBTQ, anti-teacher, and anti-diversity views.
  • Author of a far right blog that regularly parrots extremist talking points and conspiracy theories
• LaToya Nkongolo (Anne Arundel)
  • Wants to ban books 
  • Referred to being LGBTQ as a “mental illness” and purposefully targets queer youth with hateful language 
  • Called Anne Arundel County Public Schools an “institution of grooming” and further claimed that teachers are attempting to “influence our kids” to “cause sexual confusion”
• Trent Kittleman (Howard County)
  • In favor of book bans
  • Founder of Southern Poverty Law Center designated “extremist group” Moms for Liberty Howard County with the group saying “her palm card is everything we believe.”
  • Opposed to diversity and inclusion programs
  • Voted against anti-discrimination laws in schools when in the House of Delegates
• Greg Malveaux (Carroll County)
  • Believes diversity, equity, and inclusion is “mentally crippling”
  • Vocal opponent of Gov. Moore’s Freedom To Read Act due to wanting to be able to ban books 
  • Wants to allow individuals to override state curriculum requirements 
• Paul Harrison (Calvert County)
  • Believes we “need a little more” of physical punishment of kids because they “act up when they get to school”
  • Opposes climate change being taught in schools
• Jamie Brennan (Frederick)
  • Chair of Frederick chapter of the extremist group Moms for Liberty 
  • Wants to send public dollars to private schools – even religious schools and homeschool communes
  • Proposing “family life curriculum” which could embed religious doctrine into public schools 
  • Fought against teachers showing respect for LGBTQ+ students 
  • Against vaccine and testing requirements for students 

What does Moms for Liberty stand for? 

Moms for Liberty is an extremist political organization at the forefront of the far-right’s attack on public education. Since its founding in 2021, the group has advanced book bans, pushed conspiracy theories, fueled anti-LGBTQ sentiments, and coordinated fierce opposition to diversity initiatives in schools. Moms for Liberty is notorious for targeting and pushing out educators and officials who don’t agree with their hateful agenda. Closely affiliated with Donald Trump as well as other hate-groups like the Proud Boys, Moms for Liberty is now targeting Maryland schools with their hateful agenda. 

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