Today Bikemore announces endorsements for Governor, State Comptroller, and in select State Delegate races.
Tom Perez - Governor
On Bikemore’s candidate questionnaire, at our Maryland Gubernatorial Transportation Forum, and in questionnaires from peer transportation and environmental advocacy groups, Tom Perez demonstrated a deep knowledge of the transportation challenges facing Baltimore City and the steps that need to be taken to advance public transit and expand access to opportunity across the region.
He is the only top-polling candidate to consistently commit to creation of a Baltimore Regional Transit Authority, a step we believe is necessary to bring Greater Baltimore in line with other successful, growing regions. And, he has demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that investments in both improving and electrifying public transportation will center Labor in every discussion.
Shannon Sneed’s legislative record on Baltimore City Council, her community knowledge and connections, and her dedication to this city make her an excellent candidate for Lieutenant Governor and as an advocate for Baltimore in the Perez administration.
Brooke Lierman - Comptroller
Brooke Lierman’s legislative record on transit speaks for itself. She helped found a transit caucus in Annapolis. She has successfully fought to bring millions of dollars of funding to the Maryland Transit Administration through the Transit Safety and Investment Act, forced the state to create its first Regional Transit Plan for the Baltimore region in nearly 20 years, and co-sponsored or voted for nearly every piece of legislation Bikemore has pushed in Annapolis.
Beyond her legislative work, Brooke Lierman has been a strong advocate for biking in Baltimore. She successfully lobbied Baltimore City to re-design the Central Avenue project to include protected bike lanes and has reliably supported other transit, walking, and biking investments in the 46th District.
The comptroller is a powerful position in state government, serving as a critical vote on the Board of Estimates. We appreciate her current opposition to the I-270/495 highway widening, and believe she will make decisions on funding that prioritize environmental justice and public transit.
Kathy Shulman - 40th District Delegate
Kathy Shulman reached out to Bikemore early to discuss her vision for increased access to opportunity through walking, biking, and public transit in the 40th District. If she can unseat Delegate Frank Conaway Jr, one of the only consistent opponents to reforms like dedicated bus lanes and complete streets in our city delegation, the 40th District and our delegation will be stronger for it.
Tony Bridges - 41st District Delegate
Delegate Tony Bridges sponsored legislation this year to create a commission to review and select an option for improved transit governance in Baltimore City. Despite Governor Hogan’s veto, his legislation, alongside with advocacy from the Transform Maryland Transportation Coalition and a ballot initiative from Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, has ensured that a regional transit authority remains a top political issue. Delegate Bridges is a strong ally for transit, and has co-sponsored or voted for the majority of Bikemore’s legislative priorities in Annapolis.
Regina Boyce and Elizabeth Embry - 43A District Delegates
Delegate Regina Boyce has been a strong advocate for complete streets and transit funding in Annapolis, supporting colleagues in advancing legislation to enforce dedicated bus lanes, allow Baltimore to set its own speed limits, and attempt to restrict complete streets funding to DOT instead of police. She is a strong supporter of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, a regular attendee at Bikemore events, and a regular biker and public transit rider.
Elizabeth Embry is a former Bikemore board member and strong supporter of increased investments in public transit, biking, and walking. She has long been a supporter of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, and clearly understands the need to pair land use and transportation closely in any decision-making. Running on a slate with Delegate Boyce, we are confident that together they will make a strong team in Annapolis.
Mark Edelson and Robbyn Lewis - 46th District Delegates
Mark Edelson is unafraid to do what’s right. When Mayor Catherine Pugh threatened to remove the Potomac Street cycletrack based on an incorrect reading of the fire code, Mark stepped up and helped Bikemore sue the city, successfully winning what may be the only restraining order ever granted against removal of a piece of complete streets infrastructure. His support to help us negotiate a settlement with the city kept a separated bike lane on Potomac Street. Despite this political controversy, Mark went on to be elected president of the Canton Community Association, proving that he can build bridges and coalitions across a wide variety of interests. He is one of the few candidates running to focus time and resources on relationships in Brooklyn, Cherry Hill, Curtis Bay, and Westport—often overlooked parts of the 46th District that are in dire need of access to opportunity through more transportation options.
Delegate Robbyn Lewis is the only legislator in Annapolis who is car free by choice. Delegate Lewis has long been our region’s leading elected transportation advocate, unafraid to stand up for public transit, biking, and walking even when it may not be politically in her best interest with select demographics in her district. She has worked for years to pass critical legislation improving bus operations in Baltimore, including this session’s legislation to enforce dedicated bus lanes with cameras, as well as legislation to attempt to divert more transportation dollars to DOT and away from misuse within other agencies. Delegate Lewis’s successes will only grow with another advocate like Mark Edelson at her side.