Dear supporters and anyone else reading this now:
My first big chance to really break out and establish myself as the top second-tier candidate, or perhaps even start to give the two main frontrunners—Rep. Dave Trone and Country Executive Angela Alsobrooks—a run for their money is tomorrow, in Silver Spring, MD.
Alarmingly, there have been almost no debates between the candidates so far, none as high profile as this, and the primary is
To explain why this event and others like it are so important, I want to tell a story from the incredible book Dismantling Utopia: How Information Ended the Soviet Union, by local son of Maryland Scott Shane, a friend and mentor and an incredible reporter and author who covered crime, national security, and the Soviet Union/Russia for decades first at The Baltimore Sun (as a result he played himself on The Wire!) and later at The New York Times, winning two Pulitzer Prizes for his reporting. He tells the story of a young, “boyish physicist” named Arkady Murashyov who ran in the 1989 Soviet elections for the Congress of People’s deputies, the first contested elections Russia in over seventy years since the 1917 election that the Communist Bolsheviks made sure did not end up counting for much on their quest for power by coup and terror. Debates between candidates were televised live, and in one race in a district north of Moscow, the unknown Murashyov debated “older, better-known, and more conservative competitors” for over two hours, arguing that Communist one-party rule was the root of all the USSR’s problems. Amazingly—in a society under some of the worst oppression on earth for some seven decades with no competitive elections or free debates in public throughout this era—Murashyov won the seat and became the leader of the Congress’s “radical” wing. As Shane writes: “Without the televised debate the unknown Murashyov might well have lost” (pg. 151).
This says everything about why I need this debate and am counting on attendees and viewers to spread the word about what I know will be a powerful appearance by myself.
Voters need more exposure, not less, from their candidates. It is remarkable that in 2024, Maryland has had such a closed race with so few events in which the candidates can stand up to public scrutiny and scrutinize each other with now there being only ten weeks left until the primary and early voting beginning before then. Instead of being about name recognition of spending on television advertisements, let’s make this race about ideas, plans, and qualifications. Let me be your Murashyov, a breakout star who can upend this race and be an injection of youth and fresh ideas I am ready to run with hard for Maryland and the nation. Let my plans, far more detailed than what as been put forth on Rep. Trone’s or County Executive Alsobrooks sites, win me your vote if you think my plans are better than theirs. Let’s talk about the issues, not attack each other as “career politicians” or “old rich men.” Register to come in person tomorrow if you’re nearby or register to watch on Zoom live if you can’t!
Let’s do this! Let’s make history.
–Brian
From an event e-mail, the details to attend in person or Zoom:
“3:00 – 5:00 pm at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901
- For those of you not yet registered, here is the RSVP: bit.ly/WDC-Senate-Forum
- For individuals unable to attend the event in person, we will be live-streaming the event via Zoom, please register here to receive the link.
Please note:
- Please plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m. so we can begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.
- For security purposes, we ask that only small bags be brought into the auditorium. Large backpacks or bags should be left in your car.
- There are other events taking place at the school at the same time; the WDC event will be in the Blair auditorium. There will be signs, Blair ambassadors, & volunteers directing you to the auditorium.
- There are two entrances to the high school: Colesvile Road and University Boulevard; either can be used. Both entrances have areas for parking. The map below will give you a visual on how to enter from either side.”
Come see Brian debate other candidates, including the two frontrunners, this Saturday in Silver Spring, moderated by Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin. Register here now as space is filling up! You can also sign up to watch via Zoom here! Also see Brian’s related Real Context News article about how this policy fits with his DC/Puerto Rico statehood and Supreme Court policies. Support Brian by following him, spreading the word, and donating here!
