County Executive Angela Alsobrooks: Wes Moore and Aruna Miller’s Nomination Is God’s Work.

Wes Moore spoke at a rally Aug. 6 at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, Maryland. Photo by Delonte Harrod

On August 6, Wes Moore and Aruna Miller held a campaign rally at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreational Complex in Fort Washington, Maryland. Hundreds of residents - a diverse crowd in age, and ethnicity - attended the rally. The basketball gym was converted into an auditorium for the event. Maryland Senators as well as other politicians attended the rally. If Moore wins, he will be the first Black governor to hold the position. Miller will be the first Indian-American to hold the position of lieutenant governor.

Speakers spoke openly about the hope they have in Moore and Miller and the importance of the general election. They continuously thanked Prince Georgians for voting for the political tandem, placing them in a position to run for the governor’s office. Speakers used a combination of religious texts, rap lyrics, poetry, and local political history to convey a message of hope.

Pastor James Robinson, chair of the local development council in Prince George’s County, set the tone when he encouraged Moore to “Go Hard, Think Big,” which became a repeated slogan throughout the meeting. Robinson’s slogan was an encouragement for Moore to plan big not only for Maryland but also for Prince George’s County. Over a year or so, Alsobrooks has announced several new development projects in the northern and southern parts of the county, which include some along the Purple line. Furthermore, the county is competing with Springfield, Virginia to bring FBI Headquarters to either Greenbelt or Landover. This is not to mention the construction of several new schools, Amazon’s affordable homes project, and medical facilities. 

Robinson said, Virginia and Montgomery County are running out of space, and therefore people are migrating to Prince George’s County. Robinson believes the county holds substantial political power as well as economic potential. 

Borrowing from the bible, Robinson spoke metaphorically about how Moore could maximize the county’s economic potential by sowing into it. Drawing on Hebrew scripture, Jesus often used metaphors of sowing and reaping to give his disciples insight into how the Kingdom of God works.

Robinson said: 

“Wes Moore, Prince George’s County is fertile soil. Whatever seed you decide to sow, it will bring about a metropolis all by itself.  It would bring everything that you’re looking for.”

Robinson also lamented the Republican Party’s 8 years of leadership over the state. Though Robinson did not mention Hogan by name, he did reference his governorship. In part of his speech, he criticized the fact that for two terms, some Democrats and Republicans elected Larry Hogan as governor. (Hogan once beat Ben Jealous, a progressive Democrat). By not voting Hogan out of office, Robinson believes that Prince Georgians missed an opportunity to move the county and by extension the state forward.

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He congratulated County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for having “the courage to back Moore.”

“We now have a seat at the table,” said Robinson, pastor of Tree of Life Ministries, a church in Maryland.

“I would like to thank our county executive and the county council for a seat at the table,” said Robinson.

After praying for government members, and Moore, he thanked God for a seat at the table. Various speakers echoed Robinson's “Go Hard, Think Big” slogan throughout the event.  

Calvin Hawkins, the Prince George’s council chair, opened his short speech with it. But Hawkins emphasized the “Go Hard” portion of the speech. As Robinson meant it for Moore, Hawkins used it to encourage voters to aggressively vote for Moore during November’s general election.

“But we have work to do,” he said. “There are people in the state of Maryland, who was part of an insurrection, and think they can become our next governor. Prince George’s County - we have work to do. Let’s get it done. ‘Think Big; Go Hard.’”  

Aruna Miller spoke at a rally, Aug 6 at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, Maryland. Photo by Delonte Harrod

Hawkins thanked residents for their hard work to elect Moore as the Democratic nominee. “We celebrate you,” he said.

Moore, Braverboy, Alsobrooks, and Maryland Senator Obie Patterson also understand Trump-backed, Republican nominee Dan Cox as an existential threat. Patterson said voting for Moore would help Marylanders receive good healthcare and provide a good education for all children. Voting for Cox, according to the speakers, would not move Maryland forward. In part of his speech, Wes Moore mentioned that even Gov. Hogan is not willing to back Cox, though he is the nominee.  

Angela Alsobrooks said, “I am so proud that Moore thought it not robbery to have the first rally of the general election in Prince George’s County.” 

Echoing Robinson, Alsobrooks said the road to the governor's office runs through Prince George’s County. “Prince George’s County is the crown jewel of Maryland,” she said to an excited crowd.  

Alsobrooks then turned to her beliefs, as Robinson did, to interpret the Democratic nominee's current opportunity. 

“The Bible says, 'Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,’” said Alsobrooks, citing a passage from Proverbs. “I truly believe the election of Wes Moore and Aruna Miller is God’s work.” 

“Nobody should ever underestimate Prince Georgians,” she said. “You all made this happen.” 

She spoke well of Miller, saying that she was a former engineer whose political experience has allowed her to be a bridge builder. 

“This is a moment in our history that calls for transformative leadership, and with the continued support of this coalition we know we will prevail in this election and deliver solutions to the urgent problems Marylanders are facing,” Miller said in a statement. “The historic ticket we represent stands ready to realize the promise of an inclusive government, build a state that works for all of us, and ensure a brighter future for all Marylanders.”

Residents held up signs, rooting for Aruna Miller and Wes Moore. Photo by Delonte Harrod

Approaching the podium while Alicia Key’s “Girl On Fire” played in the background, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy thanked residents for “being the conscious of Maryland.”  

“I believe… when Prince Georgians went to vote, they didn’t vote only for Prince Georgians,” Braveboy sermonized. “ I believe Prince Georgians voted for Baltimore City, for Charles County, and for Calvert County.”

She said Marylanders were searching for a leader that will bring unity across the state. She said Moore’s vision is broad, and that his plan is for all Marylanders to succeed.

Quoting Moore, she said, “no one will be left behind.” She spoke about how Moore and herself are birth from immigrant families. Moore’s mother is Jamaican, and Braveboy said her parents immigrated from Grenada. Braveboy said Moore can offer hope to this generation of children and immigrants. 

“We understand the plight of the immigrant,” she said. “We understand the plight of those who may not understand the culture and the language or how to navigate our systems of justice and governance.” 

Moore was the last to speak. He thanked pastor Robinson for his “Go Hard, Think Big” slogan, and praised Alsobrooks for her continued support. At one point in his speech, Moore rapped a Jay-Z verse, talked about the importance of November, and even reiterated his campaign promises to help Marylanders to build wealth and to provide opportunities for their children. But before saying all of that, Moore wanted the crowd to know one thing. “ I am a child of God,” he said. Attendees clapped and roared as they held Wes Moore and Aruna Miller signs high in the air.

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