Full 2026 Russett Reader Election Endorsements. Five Veterans, Including Pete Smith, and January 6 Capitol Police Hero Harry Dunn Highlight Endorsements

We are in a voting and civil rights emergency. MAGA has ordered a "code red" on our constitutional rights and now it's our turn to do something about it.

With voting rights under attack across the country, where African American representation is being eliminated, particularly in Alabama and Tennessee, it is imperative that we send leaders to all corners of our government to fight for our voting and civil rights. Our history is stained with the blood of so many ancestors who gave so much for equal representation, equity in education, an equal vote, and who worked hard to secure the many protections afforded under our our Constitution.

Our endorsements this year are particularly noteworthy because we've chosen fighters who have defended this country and a first responder who stood on the bloodied front lines of the January 6 riot to protect our voting rights. We would serve Fieldstone, Russett, Watershed, Laurel Highland, and Bacontown best by especially highlighting the following individuals:

• Steve Tillett is a man appointed for this time. An Air Force veteran, Tillett has worked nationally and across our community to fight for voting and civil rights. His experience leading Arundel Coming Together is especially needed at a time when even local Democrats are deeply fractured and motivated by only petty squabbles and revenge narratives that have nothing to do with addressing high electric bills or protecting your voting rights. Tillett's record of fighting for voting rights is unmatched in the contest for state Senate (District 32) against former Republican Mark Chang - it isn't even close folks!

• Pete Smith's story and journey in our country is nothing short of remarkable. It is a story of perseverance and resilience. Smith is a Major in our United States Marines. By the age of 12, Smith and his family were chronically homeless and had moved a dozen times due to evictions before he completed high school. Smith knows what it is like to struggle with high housing costs, electric bills, no food, and the cost of childcare. Smith has lived the "affordability crisis." Yet Smith has gone on to serve with distinction in our armed forces and on our County Council where he formerly served as Chair. Smith has led key fights for affordable housing while fighting for schools across our community. He is a sensible voice for economic development and a big advocate for veteran causes. Smith is best known throughout the state of Maryland as the "happy warrior"because of his role as the state coordinator for Toys for Tots which donates thousands of toys throughout Maryland to undeserved families. His work with Toys for Tots is a clear expression of his compassion and thoughtfulness undoubtedly informed by his own turbulent childhood. He accomplished all of this and beat the odds despite a rocky start in life. There is not one candidate in the state of Maryland with such an equally compelling narrative - let alone one that has accomplished so much despite the odds. This is the kind of tested leadership we need as County Executive in Anne Arundel County at this critical moment in time.

• The other three veterans in the race are Governor Wes Moore, Attorney General Anthony Brown, and Delegate Mike Rogers. All are Army veterans.

• Harry Dunn is a towering presence in the Congressional race for District 5 in Maryland. Dunn is best remembered as being one of several Capitol Hill police officers who faced down a mob attacking our Capitol on January 6, 2021. Over 170 police hours were injured and four died as a result of the attempted coup. Dunn has been one of the most vocal officers in the aftermath. Most notably, unlike the other 20 or so candidates in the field, Dunn is the only person with direct experience taking on Trump and his MAGA enablers. He takes on Trump everyday. No one else in the race can say that. Dunn is a regular contributor on MSNBC and continues to advocate for officers injured in the line of duty on January 6, 2021. If elected, Dunn will walk into the US House of Representatives with significant stature and the ability to continue his fight as a national foe against all forces attempting to roll back our voting rights. We cannot miss out on an opportunity to have Dunn serve us in the US House of Representatives - it's that important!

• Finally, you may be tempted to ignore the end of your ballot. Don't do it. Ann Kinard and Yemi Adetola are two candidates for the Democratic Central Committee who will be key to leading fights over the next couple of months over voting and civil rights. Kinard is a former radio talk show host and she is a founding member of the BOW Collective, a consortium of minority-women business owner. In addition, we need impartial and smart judges like Ginina Jackson-Stevenson. Stevenson will have to weigh in on a range of complex issues that will impact everyone's civil liberties.