REBUILT Zine

Jawando vs. Wells: What Montgomery County’s Executive Race Looks Like Heading Into November Montgomery County will elect a new chief executive in November after Marc Elrich's term ends. Democrat Will Jawando faces Republican Esther Wells in a contest that highlights differing backgrounds and campaign strategies. Jawando, a county council member, focuses on affordability, while Wells emphasizes tax reduction and public safety. The election outcome may hinge on unaffiliated voter turnout.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/09/jawando-wells-montgomery-county-executive-race-2026/

The Eastern Shore Faces a Familiar Choice: Inside the MD-1 General Election Maryland's 1st Congressional District features a November race between Republican incumbent Andy Harris, Democratic nominee Dan Schwartz, and unaffiliated write-in candidate Edward Shlikas. With Harris favored due to district leaning, Schwartz aims to distance himself from party leadership while advocating for transparency. The impact of proposed redistricting remains uncertain.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/09/maryland-md1-general-election-harris-schwartz-2026/

Pimlico Has No Plan for the Other 364 Days The new Pimlico Race Course, meant to be a year-round economic hub, currently supports only the Preakness Stakes, raising concerns about its long-term viability. Despite significant investments, no substantial programming or events are announced for the remaining 364 days, provoking skepticism among local residents and officials regarding its projected economic impact.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/pimlico-year-round-plan-preakness-maryland/

OPINION: A Grieving County Deserves More Than Condolences From a Candidate Who Wants to Run It After a 58-year-old NIST employee was killed in a Germantown crash involving a 13-year-old driving a stolen Kia, Will Jawando offered condolences. Montgomery County voters deserve to hear his juvenile public-safety plan too.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/will-jawando-germantown-crash-juvenile-crime/

A UMB Instructor’s Visa Lapsed in 2024. Why Didn’t Anyone Catch It Until ICE Did? Dr. Berhanu Kibret, a University of Maryland, Baltimore faculty member, faces detention by ICE due to an expired visa, despite claims of valid work authorization. The university is under scrutiny regarding its compliance with federal I-9 regulations, raising questions about its tracking of international staff immigration statuses.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/umb-berhanu-kibret-visa-work-authorization-ice/

A late GOP swap headlines Maryland Legislative District 2 In November, key Senate and House race dynamics have shifted in Washington and Frederick counties. A Republican withdrawal reshapes Hagerstown's District 2B race, where Brenda Thiam replaces Sean Flaherty as the GOP nominee. Meanwhile, incumbents in District 2A face no primary challenges, while Eric Van Buren emerges as a unique Democratic contender against Sen. Paul Corderman.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/maryland-legislative-district-2-election-2026-thiam-flaherty/

Former Del. Jay Jalisi Sues to Force a Do-Over Primary in District 10 Hasan M. "Jay" Jalisi is seeking to overturn Maryland's certified primary results due to a ballot error that allegedly omitted his name in a voting precinct. Filing a lawsuit against the State Board of Elections, he claims this omission affected his fifth-place finish. However, his case lacks signature evidence from voters to support his claims, complicating his legal battle.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/jay-jalisi-lawsuit-district-10-primary-ballot-glitch/

Is the Redistricting Lawsuit Just a Publicity Stunt? Here’s What the Record Actually Shows Maryland's redistricting lawsuit challenges the certification of a ballot question, countering claims that it mirrors Texas and Mississippi cases. It's based on Maryland's election laws and timelines, suggesting timely judicial review is possible. While the outcome is uncertain, the legitimacy of the legal arguments presents a significant challenge for the state.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/08/maryland-redistricting-lawsuit-publicity-stunt/

District 1 Is Set: Western Maryland Heads to November With One Open House Seat Western Maryland's Legislative District 1 is set for the November 3 elections, featuring three Republican-held House races and a state Senate contest. With a significant Republican registration advantage, Democratic candidates were mainly appointed by local committees. Key races include Mike McKay against Ashley Emerick for Senate and Dan Duggan vying against Jason Jobe for the House seat.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/07/maryland-legislative-district-1-candidates-2026/

MCPS Cut 43 Social Workers to Close a Budget Gap. It’s Now Hiring a Content Creator for Up to $171,348. Montgomery County Public Schools recently faced criticism after cutting social worker positions due to a $36 million budget shortfall, yet is now hiring for content-related roles with salaries exceeding $120,000. This discrepancy has raised concerns among parents and mental health professionals about the district's budget transparency and prioritization of resources....

Republicans, D.C. Watchdog Group Sue to Keep Redistricting Amendment Off November Ballot Maryland Republicans and a conservative group have filed a lawsuit to block HB 2100, a proposed constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting, claiming that it missed the state’s certification deadline. The amendment could enable Democrats to redraw congressional maps, potentially eliminating the state’s only GOP-held seat. The lawsuit addresses procedural violations rather than the amendment's content.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/07/maryland-redistricting-lawsuit-hb2100-ballot-challenge/

Maryland’s Van Hollen Bet Big on a Michigan Candidate Who Wants Him Running the Senate Democrats — Raskin Cheered From the House Chris Van Hollen endorsed Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed before his Senate primary win. Here's how the endorsement, leadership politics and new reporting intersect.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/06/van-hollen-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-primary/

The $4,000 “Crisis” Is Mostly Sandwiches. The Real Maryland Affordability Story Is in Annapolis. The Maryland Democratic Party criticized Donald Trump's economic policies, claiming families would spend nearly $4,000 per child for school in 2026-27. However, this amount primarily covers lunch costs, not supplies. In contrast, actual back-to-school spending is projected at around $864, reflecting a modest increase, highlighting discrepancies in political messaging versus reality.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/06/maryland-democrats-4000-back-to-school-affordability-analysis/

What Moore Announced — And What Comes Next Governor Wes Moore's press conference outlined major updates for the Preakness Stakes, including a historic Sunday date and a broadcasting deal with NBC through 2032. While the announcements were substantial, concerns about governance, competition with new racing series, and the economic implications for Maryland's $633 million investment remain unaddressed.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/05/maryland-preakness-wes-moore-announcement-analysis/

$10 Million on the Line: White Marlin Open Reels In Anglers, Celebrities and Big Money to Ocean City The White Marlin Open, the largest billfishing tournament globally, is taking place in Ocean City, Maryland, attracting over 3,000 anglers and generating an estimated $20 million in local economic impact. The tournament features a base purse of $50,000, with multiple additional prizes. Conservation efforts are emphasized, with most caught billfish released.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/05/white-marlin-open-2026-ocean-city-10-million-purse/

Power Over People: How Annapolis Rewrote the Rules — and What It Ignored to Do It The Maryland General Assembly concluded a special session focused solely on a constitutional amendment allowing a Democratic-friendly congressional redistricting map. Despite urgency, pressing issues like disability funding cuts, affordability concerns, and transportation funding went unaddressed. Critics argue this prioritization underscores a legislative power shift, sidelining significant community needs.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/05/maryland-special-session-redistricting-power-over-people/

The Hand They’re Not Playing: How Maryland Can Rebuild Horse Racing After the Preakness Shake-Up Maryland faces a critical moment in revitalizing the Preakness and its horse racing legacy. With options to build independent coalitions and focus on a four-race calendar, Maryland has the chance to create a significant racing framework by 2028. Immediate action is necessary to secure this future and leverage its unique assets.... https://mdbaynews.com/2026/08/04/maryland-preakness-strategy-independent-racing-coalition/