ChickenBones: A Journal
for Literary & Artistic African-American Themes
www.nathanielturner.com 
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend clinched the Democratic primary while receiving
more votes (416,497) than any other gubernatorial primary candidate in the history of Maryland.
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Primary Elections in MD & DC
Favor Organized Labor:
A Report from the Maryland State Federation of Labor
September 14, 2002
Dear Leaders,
Our determined and focused efforts really paid off in last Tuesdays primary. Overall I think that we did extremely well in our strongest political effort in many years, hard losses notwithstanding. A strong recruitment effort found thirteen well qualified, first time candidates, seeking to join the ranks of representatives at the State level and three seeking local offices. These warrior members included:
47% of First Time Union Member Candidates WIN in Primary!
District 5, Senate Ronald Zepp AFSCME
District 6, Delegate Rodney Donald – USWA
District 6, Delegate Michael Weir IAFF
District 9B, Delegate Anita Riley UFCW
District 13, Delegate, Ada Bohorfoush OPEIU
District 14, Delegate Allan Mulligan AFGE
District 17, Delegate Gertrude Kildee SEIU
District 22, Delegate Tawanna Gaines AFSCME
District 22, Delegate John Shields SMWIA
District 26, Delegate Veronica Turner SEIU
District 28, Delegate James Jarboe – UFCW
District 35B, Delegate Charles Wagner IBB
District 46, Delegate Darren Petty – UAW
Harford County Council Dion Guthrie IBEW
Allegany County Council Randy Apple IUOE
Prince Georges County Council Camille Exum – AFSCME
Wicomico County Council Enez Grubb UFCW
Our labor movement supported their candidacy with an aggressive campaign, including: registering new voters, multiple phone calls, mailings, precinct walks and a strong GOTV effort. Many THANKS are extended to all who helped.
We SALUTE all of the Union Member Candidates for their courage and commitment to building power for working families.
Governors Race
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend clinched the Democratic primary while receiving more votes (416,497) than any other gubernatorial primary candidate in the history of Maryland.
Well, that speaks volumes to those who dared question her popular appeal. Our attention and efforts must turn now to insuring victory in November.
CD 2
“Dutch” Ruppersberger handily won his bid to represent the Democratic Party in November. This race will be closely watched across the nation because a Ruppersberger victory will go a long way in shifting the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
CD 6
Donald DeArmon once again proved that he is the choice of Democrats in this Congressional District. He certainly benefited from the limited endorsement of organized labor in the primary. A labor endorsement with support to back it up will make him a stronger candidate in November.
CD 8
Although Mark Shriver did not win the Democratic primary, he won with union members. In the areas with the highest union density, Shriver won by a 7 to 1 margin. The winner, Christopher Van Hollen, accumulated a solid labor voting record during his tenure in the Maryland Senate. With our enthusiastic and strong support, Van Hollen can be victorious in November as well.
District of Columbia Mayors Race
Mayor Anthony Williams won the D.C. Mayors race by a 3-1 margin, thanks in large part to the work of the Metropolitan Washington Councils voter education on write-in procedures, door knocking, sign installation, phone banking and poll coverage.
Were Not Done Yet!
Sisters and Brothers, as we engage the general election process, it is necessary that we unite as never before. I ask for your full cooperation in implementing OUR program, which includes:
1. Identify a coordinator for your local union
2. Register at least 10% of your un-registered members
3. Distribute informational and educational leaflets at worksites
4. Mail at least two letters to your members
5. Recruit Volunteers for: precinct walks, phone banks and Election Day activity
Denise Riley from my office is responsible for coordinating this effort. Please cooperate with her so that are efforts are meaningful and measurable.
SUPPORT THE MD/DC AFL-CIO UNIFIED PROGRAM
BUILD UNIFIED SUPPORT FOR ENDORSED CANDIDATES
UNITED, WE WIN, divided, Ehrlich may be the governor!
In Solidarity for progress,
Fred D. Mason, Jr.
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Fred D. Mason, his office in Annapolis, is the president of the Maryland State and District of Columbia, AFL-CIO, sometimes referred to as the “State Fed.” Mr. Mason and the State Fed represent the legislative and political interests of 350,000 union members and retirees. Unofficially, the state federation of unions represent all 3.5 million workers in the state. Most workers have no other organization that represents their interests in the halls of government. Mr. Mason and the State Fed work with 400 local labor unions and five labor councils to evaluate the legislative agenda, coordinate support from labor leaders and workers, and lobby lawmakers for those bills that work for labor and the general public.
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Roy Wilkins and Spiro Agnew in Annapolis / Agnew Speaks to Black Baltimore Leaders 1968
The End of Black Rage? Class and Delusion in Black America (Jared Ball)
The Black Generation Gap (Ellis Cose) / Walter Hall Lively Forty Years of Determined Struggle
Putting Baltimore’s People First Dominance of Johns Hopkins A Brief Economic History of Modern Baltimore
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The White Masters of the World
From The World and Africa, 1965
W. E. B. Du Bois Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization (Fletcher)
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Enjoy!
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan / The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll / Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for Slavery
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804 / January 1, 1804 — The Founding of Haiti
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update 6 April 2010
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Related files: Fred Mason Interview