J.D. Merrill, a former special assistant to the chief of staff in Baltimore City Public Schools and former city schools teacher, today launched a campaign for the State Senate in District 41.
Stretching along the outer edges of northern Baltimore to West Baltimore, the 41st is currently represented in by state Sen. Nathaniel Oaks, who is under federal indictment for taking bribes in exchange for official business. Merrill is the only candidate to file in the district thus far.
In an introduction video, Merrill points to the surging homicide rate and a “$130 million budget gap” for schools as a call for new leadership. On Twitter this afternoon, he positioned himself as a champion for education funding in light of the recent headlines about heating in city schools.
Last week Baltimore again made national headlines for the wrong reasons. This time for freezing cold classrooms. Let’s be clear: our inability to provide basic resources to our students is the direct result of decisions made by state gov. And those decisions are the wrong ones.
— J.D. Merrill (@jdmerrill) January 8, 2018
The state needs to end partial funding for capital projects & embrace role as great equalizer instead of perpetuating inequity. BaCo gets $148m per year from state + local for capital projects, Balt. City, with oldest buildings in state, gets $54m. No wonder classrooms are cold.
— J.D. Merrill (@jdmerrill) January 8, 2018
But our education policy can’t just be about keeping classrooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We need a focused discussion about how to build a world-class education system.
— J.D. Merrill (@jdmerrill) January 8, 2018
Our schools should all have a full curriculum, highly trained and skilled educators, and college and career aligned pathways that lead to a job ready workforce. Then, and only then, will our students reach their full potential.
— J.D. Merrill (@jdmerrill) January 8, 2018
Here’s what I believe: we all do better when our schools do better. This fight is all of our fight. We all benefit from strong public schools, whether you use them or not. This value is reflected in home values, crime rates, unemployment rate, etc. Let’s get this right! #JDforMD
— J.D. Merrill (@jdmerrill) January 8, 2018
Oh, and as every reporter is obligated to mention, Merrill is the son-in-law of former Baltimore mayor, Maryland governor, and Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley. As Politico’s Kevin Robillard points out, O’Malley himself married into a well-established political family — he is the son-in-law of former Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran — before running his own campaign for office.
A family endorsement on Twitter soon followed.
Proud to see new leaders stepping up and running for office all over the country, including my son-in-law, J.D., right here in Baltimore. https://t.co/jLVkKA3atu
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) January 8, 2018
Never go against the family.
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J.D Merrill is a great person and will represent Baltimore well in the State legislature. He was actively involved in other campaigns long before he met Grace O’Malley I encourage everyone in his district to meet him and make an informed decision!
In think it is in the best interest of American Society to break up the family dynasties. Both parties, all political persuasions, enough.!
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