Did Howard County Government Take Sides in the Governor's Race?

Wes Moore promoted as featured speaker for County Event despite being a candidate for office

Has the Howard County Government taken sides in Maryland’s race for Governor?

The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission selected Wes Moore as the keynote speaker for their annual Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration event taking place today. The event is sponsored and organized by the Commission under the auspices of the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. Both come under the auspices of Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Moore is listed as a “Former Non-Profit CEO” on the invitation. Nothing is mentioned regarding the fact that he is a Democratic candidate for Governor in this year’s election.

Though Moore, under most circumstances, would no doubt be an appropriate speaker most years for this kind of event, it is far from appropriate for a county agency to select Moore as an event headliner when he is on the ballot in five months. Were other candidates for Governor invited to share the stage with Moore for this event? I highly doubt it.

Calvin Ball has not formally endorsed a candidate for Governor as of yet, but it really makes you wonder if he has subtly made his selection and is using the resources of Howard County Government to make his selection known.

No matter what you think about Moore, it is inappropriate for Calvin Ball to use county resources to promote Moore during his candidacy for office. The people of Howard County deserve better than to have an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to be highjacked for political purposes like this.