May 21 Candidate Forum: People, Power, Purpose
Our ACT Candidate Forum on May 21st was an inspiring demonstration of People, Power, and Purpose! Congratulations!
Over 330 of us engaged meaningfully in our democracy by interviewing and researching candidates on the issues that emerged from our listening sessions. We showed the impact we can make when we act together.
Across race and faith, we came to say we need action on affordable housing, support for immigrants, and good jobs and racial justice at the Crownsville redevelopment. We asked candidates for specific, measurable commitments on these issues. Read our full “People’s Agenda” here.
Through our turnout and organization, we showed the candidates how powerful we are and that they will want to work with us if elected. All five County Executive candidates committed to meeting with ACT quarterly; that’s great recognition!
Thanks to our core teams who led turnout, everyone who interviewed candidates in breakout rooms, our speakers, and our floor team—your contributions made the night successful! A special thanks to Pastor Parker and Asbury United Methodist Church for hosting.
Read the candidates’ responses to our full questionnaire here:
And check out this article from the Capital Gazette about the forum!
Anne Arundel executive, council forum gathers candidates from all districts
Affordable Housing
ACT leader Ariana Kidder spoke about one of ACT’s key priorities, the need for more affordable housing in the county, and shared her own personal story: “I work full-time for Anne Arundel County, and I live in a four-generation household because I cannot afford to live independently in the county that I work for.”
We asked County Executive candidates how they would ensure the development of 2,000 new units of housing each year and uphold the Attainable Housing Act, which requires that a portion of new units be affordable for moderate-income residents.
Crownsville Redevelopment
ACT leader Barbara Arthur told the story of the former Crownsville mental hospital, which originated as a segregated facility where Black patients suffered abuses, but under Black leadership in later years evolved into a place “where healing was possible,” with music, sports, and other activities offered. Arthur spoke of her grandmother, who played music for patients, and her husband, who took patients on weeklong camping trips.
The Crownsville site was acquired by the county in 2022 with plans for redevelopment, and Arthur explained: “Our hope for the Crownsville redevelopment is addressing the harms that were inflicted on the Black community and ensuring public resources are reinvested in Black workers, offering access to good jobs.” We asked candidates how they would make that a reality.
Immigration
ACT asked candidates how they planned to maintain and expand existing services for immigrants like the Family Protection Initiative, which supports families of those affected by detention and deportation, and the REACH program, which provides healthcare services.
Closing
Sam Collins, a middle school student in AACPS, shared that his baseball coach encouraged him to learn from his mistakes, before asking County Executive Candidates to tell the audience about a time they changed their mind on an issue.
Rev. John Crestwell, the pastor at Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis and an ACT board member, addressed candidates: “We have the means to address all that is being asked for tonight. No excuses. The issue is not ‘can we?’ The issue is moral courage. The issue is political will.” The crowd broke into applause.
He encouraged attendees: “If you’re angry, don’t yell at your TV. Go vote! And get everyone you know to vote!”
Next Steps:
We encourage you to find 5 people to talk to about what you heard in the candidate interviews.
Please remind your friends and family to vote in the primary elections on June 23rd. Early voting is June 11-18. Find more voter information here:
Until the primary elections, ACT will continue to organize voter turnout, and beyond the elections, we will keep holding Anne Arundel County’s elected officials accountable and demanding concrete action to address the stresses on families in the community.
Thank you to everyone who attended for being part of our work to shape our communities and county for the better!
Photos by David Choy
