By Osaretin Iyare with SGJC Student News Network
On Saturday Vice President Kamala Harris urged Maryland voters to turn out en masse in defence of democracy on November 8, saying the "stakes are high" and denouncing Republican party plans to ban abortion, restrict voting rights and roll back democratic gains made under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Harris visited Baltimore in support of Democratic candidate Wes Moore, who is projected to replace Governor Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican, who served two terms. She presented her key argument at the get-out-the-vote event in advance of Election Day: "democracy is only as strong as the willingness of the people to fight for it."
The grassroots event which was organized by Maryland Democrats Get Out The Vote campaign featured other Democratic candidates running for seats across the state, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Lt. Governorship candidate Aruna Miller, State Comptroller Brooke Lierman amongst others.
With barely 10 days to Election Day, latest polling data by the Baltimore Sun and University of Baltimore place Moore far ahead of his Republican challenger Dan Cox at 58 to 27 percent, maintaining his over 30-point lead through the campaign season.
Sticking to his stump speech, Moore restated his promise to unify the state, fight crime and gun violence, improve access to healthcare, ensure the health rights of women to consult their doctors, to support small businesses and education for all.
He faces Cox, a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, whom he described as far right in their lone debate. On stage, Moore continued to make the distinction between himself and his opponent, labeling Cox as a “January 6” advocate seeking to tear at the fabric of the country. He tied Cox to those who illegally attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Cox has denied those claims during this campaign.
Still, Cox has echoed right-wing talking points including, "critical race theory," "gender indoctrination," and "stolen election" claims. During a recent town hall meeting at Morgan State University, he did not commit to accepting the results of the election, if he loses.
Chris Van Hollen, a junior Senator from Maryland, also attended the event. He is running to retain his seat and joined the vice president in condemning the attack on Paul Pelosi, husband to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was severely injured and hospitalized.
Hollen described the attack as a result of the dangerous rhetoric some Americans face in politically polarized times.