Dear Friend,
Great news from the past month!
The November 4 election results give me great hope for the future. They confirm that Americans are fed up with the incompetence, self-dealing, spite and lawlessness of the Trump/GOP regime. See our analysis below.
And only two weeks before, on October 18, I witnessed 1,300 citizens gathered in Hagerstown to declare loudly and clearly that “We the People do not want a king!” That is a powerful reminder of what democracy is all about. And the Boonsboro NO KINGS rally carried that same spirit forward — neighbors, families, and friends standing shoulder to shoulder for democracy, for fairness, and for the rule of law.
From the school board to the county commissioners, from the courts to the Maryland General Assembly, Washington County Democrats will support candidates who will not cower in fear of intimidation. We need leaders who raise their voices, not hide them. We need candidates who say: “When you threaten the people, I stand with the people.”
The thousands who turned out in Hagerstown and Boonsboro didn’t gather just to protest — they gathered to affirm our shared values: that power belongs to the people, not to one man. Let’s carry that energy forward. Defend our democracy, protect the powerless and elect leaders who don’t bow to bullies.
You can help in three ways: 1) reply to this email to add yourself to our volunteer list; 2) forward this email to a friend; and 3) contribute to Washington County Democrats.
Yours in solidarity,
Angela Batista (she/her)
Chair, Washington County Democratic Central Committee
If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together.
– African Proverb
Democrats Sweep 2025 Elections! What About 2026?
After a year in the dumps, Democrats are regaining their optimism after Tuesday’s elections. Democrats out-performed 2024 results by significant margins. Virginia and New Jersey elected Democratic women governors (1sts in both cases) and increased their share in the lower houses of both states. California redistricting, aimed at partially offsetting GOP gerrymanders in Texas and in several other GOP-controlled states, passed by a wide margin. In Georgia where Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is in a toss-up race for re-election, two Democrats won election to the Public Service commissions, beating Republican incumbents on an all-GOP commission.
Trump is clearly worried about the results, their implications for the 2026 mid-terms and his own future. He correctly blamed the GOP-shutdown for their losses. He could have also blamed his own inept handling of the economy and his entire job…but don’t hold your breath.
Trump’s approval ratings are plummeting and now match some of his worst 1st term numbers. A recent NY Times/Sienna Poll found that voters disapprove of his handling of immigration, the economy, managing the government, trade, Russia/Ukraine war, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He holds a 1% net positive approval of his handling of crime.
Trump has good reason to worry. Prior to 1978, a president’s party’s mid-term US House losses had an uncertain relationship to his own job approval. However, beginning with President Carter, a president’s job approval has become a good (though not perfect) predictor of those losses.
Still, it gets tricky making predictions a year out since voters of both parties have become less persuadable and more likely to place party loyalty over blame for their own party’s shortcomings. However, there is reason for hope given the narrow 220-215 seat GOP advantage. If Trump’s dismal approval ratings continue, a loss of 26 seats is more than enough to erase the GOP’s narrow majority. In that case, Hakeem Jeffries assumes the Speaker’s gavel and Democrats have some chance of halting the GOP wrecking ball.
What does this mean for Washington County?
According to recent polls (CNN/SSRS for one), Democratic voter enthusiasm is several points higher than Republicans’. And the generic congressional ballot gives Democrats a 5-point advantage. Independents disapprove of Trump by a wide margin (72%-28%) and even 16% of Republicans disapprove of his job performance (16%-84%).
Given Trump’s low approval rating, lower GOP enthusiasm and the fact he won’t be on the ballot to drive GOP turnout, Democrats have an excellent chance to not only recapture the US House but turn out the Democratic vote in Maryland and Washington County. The task for Washington County Democrats is to work with Maryland Dems to identify potential voters, support local candidates, distribute literature and field an effective volunteer effort to get those voters to the polls.
A Message from Delegate Matt Schindler
Hello Friends!
It’s been a busy time, as summer ended, and we ramped up for the 2026 legislative session.
The 43-day Federal government shutdown heavily impacted Maryland residents. Please be aware of resources and protections available. Some examples:
- Unemployment insurance
- Eviction protections
- Utility protections
- No interest loans
For more information check out this resource link or contact my office and we will be happy to help.
September 22, I was in Annapolis for an important Appropriations Committee briefing for an update on the state’s financial picture and a hearing on the impacts of federal actions on Maryland’s higher education system. We heard some of the tough truths of the effects on international students, grants, and enrollment. You can review the background materials, including a slide deck summary from our nonpartisan state budget staff, here.
I also recently signed on to a letter insisting that all of our regional airports refuse to broadcast an overtly partisan video from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem attempting to blame travel delays on Democrats. As we have seen from other Federal agencies, posting partisan material, I believe this is a clear violation of the Hatch Act. BWI, which is owned and operated by the State of Maryland, has already announced its refusal to air the video, which distracts from and undermines the work of airport staff to ensure our safety.
On a brighter note I was happy to join fellow State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian at the start of her 14th annual run for re-entry, where she ran 70 miles from MCI-Hagerstown to Baltimore all in an effort to raise funds for Mediation to disrupt mass incarcerations.
Delegate Matt Schindler
No Kings in Washington County
by Dave Williams
Patriots rallied across Washington County on October 18 to declare their love of country, support for democracy, and to oppose our nation’s slide into autocracy. A small group gathered at the intersection of routes 64 & 77 in Smithsburg. About 27 concerned Homewood residents held signs and waved flags at cars on Virginia Avenue. Later, 57 Boonsboro area patriots held a pep rally for democracy on the sidewalk in front of the National Road Museum. From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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