Member Statements on EER07: Endorsement of Raaheela Ahmed for Maryland State Senate, District 23
Per Section 4 of our bylaws, “The Political Engagement Committee shall be permitted to issue a recommendation and rationale as a body, to be delivered by its chair or their designee, before or during debates on all electoral endorsements and will be allotted additional speaking time if requested to deliver findings from their engagement with the candidate or ballot initiative campaign. This recommendation and rationale will be included along with endorsement ballots sent to members.”
The Political Engagement Committee has issued a recommendation IN FAVOR of endorsing Raaheela Ahmed. The PEC’s full recommendation and analysis can be found here.
In the last Democratic Primary in Maryland State Senate District 23 in 2022, Raaheela ran and won 9,415 votes (38.7%) to the incumbent Ron Watson’s 10,359 votes (42.6%). Raaheela assembled a left-labor coalition with numerous progressive organizations and labor unions endorsing her in the race, largely due to her record as a two-term member of the Prince George’s County School Board in District 5. In her first race in 2016, Raaheela won the primary in a four-way race with 9,624 votes (36.53%) and came in first place, ousting an incumbent and advancing to the general election, which she won with 31,878 votes (57.26%). In 2020, the primary election was canceled and Raaheela advanced to the general election, garnering 56,630 votes (98.2%) without a challenger.
Raaheela will be challenging a more entrenched incumbent who has served in the state legislature since 2019 and in the state senate since 2021, so this race will not necessarily be easier this time around. Nevertheless, Raaheela has her own base of support from her three previous races, including money in the bank, achievable fundraising goals, and the experience and infrastructure to run a sophisticated campaign in a potentially more favorable political moment for an insurgent candidate. With Metro DC DSA’s endorsement and canvassing operation, it is more likely that Raaheela will be able to assemble the left-labor coalition that has supported her in previous races. Lastly, Raaheela responded with an unequivocal yes to participating in a State SIO Committee (with Del. Gabe Acevero, whom the PEC has also recommended endorsing in State House District 39), if she wins her election, and demonstrated ample knowledge of the dynamics of the body she is running to serve in. Although she and Gabe would still be just 2/188 state legislators, together, they could ensure progressive legislation is introduced in both chambers in Annapolis.
The PEC acknowledges that there is a difficult-to-quantify drain on capacity when canvassers need to “double-carry” lit for two candidates and try to convince a voter about two candidates on the doors. This would also be the branch’s first attempt at campaigning for multiple candidates, and there may be logistical challenges in terms of compliance and coordination – for example, Imara Crooms (whom the PEC has also recommended endorsing) will be eligible to using the Fair Election Fund at the county level while Raaheela would not in a state-level race. With these challenges in mind, the PEC would like to note that there are approximately 16-19k registered voters in the overlapping precincts between State Senate District 23 and Prince George’s County Council District 9. The PEC strongly recommends that our canvassing operation limits the voter universe strictly to this area and does multiple passes there for both candidates.
Per Section 6.4.2 of our bylaws, “Branch Steering Committees shall be permitted to issue a recommendation and rationale on candidates running for seats exclusively within their territorial jurisdiction during endorsement general body meetings. This recommendation and rationale will be included along with ballots sent to members.” The Prince George’s Branch Steering Committee has submitted a recommendation IN FAVOR.
We want to encourage everyone to vote YES on Raheela Ahmed for chapter endorsement. Looking demographically- the significant majority of PG Branch’s membership is primarily concentrated in Hyattsville and College Park, the most densely populated suburbs in PG- and with Frankie’s campaign in Greenbelt it’s shown that there is a real appetite for a campaign on tenants rights, collective bargaining and affordability in ALL of Prince George’s County. Frankie’s campaign was just one step in building socialism in the county- Raheela’s and Imara’s district are in the parts of the county right below and around Upper Marlboro- where extending our reach would be very important. Raheela almost won her race last time without chapter support and capacity wise Imara share nearly 16k doors. We urge the body to take a chance on this. Raahela’s campaign strikes the right balance, a long-time DSA member who will unabashedly run as a socialist, and who is known in the community. To win against an opponent who is a part of the county machine will build the left-labor coalition in PG and build the chapter as a whole!
Per section 6.5 of our bylaws, “recognized caucuses shall have the right to publish statements and proposals in public forums for the local, subject to the moderation of that forum.” Metro DC DSA’s Groundwork Caucus has recommended AGAINST endorsing Raaheela Ahmed. The caucus’ full writeup and analysis can be found here.
We believe Raaheela is a class-struggle candidate with a credible path to victory. While she is not a cadre candidate, we are glad that she is a long-time member of the chapter. Our hesitation with Raaheela comes primarily from capacity concerns. We just don’t have enough people to win this race; we are stretched too thin. While we are heartened that Raaheela would work with us to only have us canvass where her district overlaps with Imara’s, this is not really our electoral model, and we don’t see how it’s easily workable. We’re pleased that Raaheela would join our Socialists in Office Committee, even if we do not endorse her in this race. Because we’re not able to provide the backbone of this campaign or do much to help its victory, this may be the best option. This is an endorsement we would probably support if we had the ability, but we have to make tough choices with so many candidates up for endorsement.
IN FAVOR by Elizabeth T
Hi comrades, this is my first statement in an electoral endorsement, and I’m proud to say that it is for Raaheela Ahmed!
Let me start with an anecdote about the time Raaheela and I first met. We were speaking together on a panel at a national conference for elected officials. When discussing how to protect students in today’s climate, including students’ right to protest genocide, Raaheela tactfully but explicitly called out the conference itself for accepting a large donation from the Democratic Majority for Israel. She then urged our audience of elected officials to divest their jurisdictions from Israel. It was a bold move, and it resonated powerfully among audience members. This is just one example of how Raaheela will always seize every opportunity to stand up for justice and inspire her fellow lawmakers to do what’s right.
Raaheela’s survey answers were also some of the strongest that we received. She’s staunchly committed to pushing our core issues in Maryland, like passing a TOPA, a PRO Act, universal childcare, trans sanctuary protections, and a Green New Deal for Social Housing. She has fought and will continue to fight to remove cops from schools and repeal Maryland’s anti-BDS executive order. She is a true comrade and a fearless cadre candidate.
Her legislative record as a school board member also speaks for itself. She led the fights to dismantle the school to prison pipeline; to protect immigrant, transgender, and Muslim students; and to restore pay for thousands of custodial, administrative, and other school staff.
Strategically, endorsing Raaheela makes sense. She has extensive experience running a grassroots campaign, including knocking over 12,000 doors, and has an established network and donor base of young people, parents, and other community organizers across different movements. She shares 11,000 doors with another cadre candidate Imara Crooms. She lost by only 4% in the last election for this seat (39% to an incumbent’s 43%). With DSA’s support this time, she has a great chance of winning.
I’m thrilled the PEC has issued a recommendation to endorse Raaheela, and I couldn’t agree more: let’s get Raaheela Ahmed to the Maryland State Senate!
AGAINST by Carl R
Comrades, I urge a NO vote on endorsing Raaheela Ahmed. While I hope she wins and would vote for her if I lived in the district, I don’t think this race is appropriately strategic for us.
Straightforwardly, we have two other races in PG county: one for an incumbent and one for a former member of the steering committee. I believe we should prioritize those races, both of which are winnable but will not be easy. Endorsing Raaheela and campaigning for her seriously jeopardizes both of those races in terms of volunteer capacity.
Additionally, Raaheela has clearly indicated that she will work with us no matter how the endorsement goes. We have seen serious success in Montgomery County working with members who were not endorsed by the chapter but did win their elections. Let’s go win Shayla’s race, let’s elect Imara, and in doing so let’s build the capacity to run a third race next cycle by doing so.
Comrades, vote NO on the endorsement of Raaheela Ahmed.
AGAINST by Thomas S
I am writing in opposition to the proposed endorsement of Raaheela Ahmed for the Maryland Senate District 23. I believe that Raaheela is a good candidate who is aligned with our values and has a realistic chance of winning; however, in a very busy election cycle, we should prioritize our limited capacity for cadre candidates and previously endorsed candidates. Although Raaheela is a long-time dues-paying member of DSA, it would not be fair to describe her as a cadre candidate, and she has not engaged with the Prince George’s County Branch in substantial ways in recent years, whether in general, in her capacity as a member of the Board of Education, or in advance of this campaign.
Additionally, at this juncture, I do not believe that the General Assembly is as strategic of a front in contesting for governing power as is county government. Unlike in Virginia, counties in Maryland are not bound by Dillon’s Rule and have substantial power (even if there are limits, as reflected in the fight for just cause). Raaheela would be a lone socialist voice in the Senate (and may well be even without our endorsement) with a smattering of progressive allies like Alonzo Washington, complemented by Gabriel Acevero and Vaughn Stewart in the House. We would not have the kind of bloc that DSAers in New York have that has the power to win big victories like the Build Public Renewables Act. We should be laying the ground work to achieve that kind of breakthrough in 2030. That will be easier if Raaheela is an incumbent by then, but her victory next year is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for that to happen.
Lastly, I do not find the partial overlap between Senate District 23 and County Council District 9 to be a compelling factor in favor of endorsement. The overlap is less than 1/3 of households in District 9 (as compared to a roughly 2/3 overlap between Shayla’s former Board of Education district and County Council District 5), and the area of overlap is neither the easiest part of Raaheela’s district to canvass (which would be in Bowie) nor the easiest part of Imara’s district to canvass (which would be in Clinton).
I urge folks to vote no on Raaheela’s endorsement though, to be clear, it would not be hugely problematic for her endorsement to pass. I would welcome her election to the Maryland Senate and her participation in a Socialists in Office Committee.
IN FAVOR by Dami O
Many people have discussed what a PG County electoral program looks like and I think it begins with Raheela. Without DSA support she got 39% of the vote in comparison to an incumbent (who only cleared 43% of the of the vote) on a left wing program. If progressives in MD are going to have any wins it’s going to be using progressives from the grassroots to win our agenda and using their popularity to build up DSA. Luckily Raheela fills those boxes.
Many people have said it’s less important to have people in Annapolis versus Upper Marlboro but I think they are incredibly complementary. It’s the socialists in office in Albany that are urging more money for child care for Zohran’s agenda. PG county is dealing with much lower revenue projections than a left-lib legislature can manage through thoughtful policy- we need to be building power structures in Annapolis as well.
It’s incredibly important we have support in Annapolis- it might seem like a pointless task but the value of that can be seen when we finally have voices in Maryland that actually speak for DSA priorities. Getting the lay of the land a sketch of where to target can be important for the future. We can ignore it now, but the work can be impactful in the future.
I also think this wouldn’t sacrifice any capacity, she already has a volunteer structure, she shares 11,000 doors with Imara and she is known in the district- she won a school board seat. Running a slate of both Imara and Raheela will be very popular among the PG left outside of DSA and mobilize a ton of people to cross canvass we have plenty of people in PG branch ready to come out.
IN FAVOR by Alexander A
Raaheela Ahmed is running for Maryland State Senate for District 23. Raaheela served on the Prince George’s Board of Education from 2016-2021, where she made educational equity a core tenet of her tenure. Raaheela was a progressive member in the Board of Education and was spent in large part, along with Shayla, supporting measures to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, adequately building and renovating schools through public funds, promoting culturally responsive curriculum, furthering financial literacy, supporting free early childhood education opportunities, and advocating for resources and support for our marginalized students and communities. Boardmember Ahmed authored various measures, including a 2021 “Protect Our Students Proposal” which would prohibit student arrests by security officers, end MOUs with law enforcement, reduce the size of the security force, increase mental health staffing, decriminalize student behavior, and establish independent oversight of student disciplinary actions.
Raaheela has also been at the forefront in the fight for Palestinian Liberation. Raaheela led a coalition in Prince George’s County to pass ceasefire resolutions at both city and state levels, speaking out publicly and organizing other elected officials to speak out in support of Palestinian human rights, and has been an active member of the Maryland statewide coalition to drop funding for the Maryland Israel Development Center. In addition to being active and getting endorsed for Prince George’s for Palestine in her last race, she also sought and received endorsements from Prince George’s County Educators Association (i.e. Teachers Union), LiUNA!, ACE-AFSCME Local 2250, ASASP, People’s Action, Working Families, Progressive Maryland, South Asians for America, People for the American Way, SEIU Local 400, Schools Not Jails, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Prince George’s County Muslim Council.
The 2021 election was a closely contested contest, where her establishment-backed opponent received 42.6% of the vote to Raaheela’s 38.7%, which was a margin of 944 votes. Raaheela has a realistic pathway to victory in a race which is seemingly likely to become a rematch with her opponent in 2021, and the chapter’s engagement has the potential to push her over the top. State Senate Seat District 23 encompasses much of East County, more specifically Bowie,which has a large degree of overlap with District 9 County Council seat, the same seat in which Imara Crooms is running for. The chapter’s endorsement can be conducive to diversifying the DSA base within the county. This is because PG branch’s membership is concentrated in North County, in jurisdictions such as Hyattsville, College Park, and Greenbelt, with an increasing amount in Bowie, which lies in the eastern and more rural part of the county. If the chapter does endorse this campaign, we believe it will be a boon to building capacity and attracting new members in the Prince George’s County branch, a key jurisdiction that the chapter should engage with in order to bring about a potent multiracial working class consciousness in the region.
P.S. also the most important reason of them all, because she has such immaculate vibes
IN FAVOR by Stuart K
Electoral campaigns with overlapping districts represent key strategic opportunities to efficiently maximize our chapter’s resources in electoral endorsements. For the 2026 election cycle in Prince George’s County, the county council district that Imara Crooms is running for overlaps substantially with the Maryland State Senate district that longtime Metro DC DSA member Raaheela Ahmed is running for. As Raaheela was a previous member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education — and after she lost the same state senate district by only 4% last cycle — this race will likely be very close. Because our chapter may already be endorsing Imara Crooms in a substantially overlapping district, and because Metro DC DSA canvassing could be the difference in a close race, I urge fellow chapter members to vote YES on endorsing Raaheela Ahmed.
IN FAVOR by Alex Y
Raaheela is very aligned with our positions and values and her race is not a great lift for our chapter to undertake. In 2022, she ran a good campaign that came within striking distance of victory. With our aid, Raaheela will be set up to do better than last time. Winning a State Senate seat in Maryland is also strategically valuable to us and any legislative efforts in the state. We already have Gabe as a voice for us in the Maryland House of Delegates, but we lack that same voice in the State Senate. Endorsing Raaheela and winning this election will change that and prevent the establishment Maryland Democrats from ignoring the issues we care about and give legislation we like a chance to actually be passed with someone to sponsor and introduce it in the State Senate.