Local

Mizeur comes in second in Md. gubernatorial straw poll

Vote took place at Western Maryland Democratic Summit

Published

13 years ago

April 30, 2013

Heather Mizeur, Deborah Mizeur, Maryland, gay news, Washington Blade

Heather (right) and Deborah Mizeur at their Takoma Park home. Heather is contemplating a run for governor. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland state Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery County) on Saturday came in second place in a 2014 gubernatorial straw poll that took place during the Western Maryland Democratic Summit in Hagerstown.

The Washington Post reported the Takoma Park Democrat received 37 votes, compared to Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown who received 62 votes. Attorney General Doug Gansler came in third with 25 votes. Howard County Executive Ken Ulman received 17 votes, while Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger came in fifth with one vote.

Less than 150 people voted in the straw poll, but Mizeur told the Washington Blade on Monday she feels it is an indication of the support she said she continues to receive as she mulls a gubernatorial campaign.

“This strong, early show of support from western Marylanders re-affirms what I’ve heard across the state — we love Maryland and are proud to live here, and we want it to be even better,” she said.

Mizeur, who told the Blade in an exclusive interview last November she is “taking a very serious look at” running to succeed Gov. Martin O’Malley in 2014, reported in a campaign finance report she filed in January that she raised more than $248,000 for her potential gubernatorial campaign between Jan. 12, 2012, and Jan. 9 of this year. Brown reported he raised $1,247,811.80 in cash and in-kind contributions during the same period, while Gansler netted $1,236,284.96.

Ulman reported he raised $1,139,945.82.

“There’s a real desire for new vision and leadership, and that’s why I’m taking a look at the governor’s race,” Mizeur said.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Inaugural Parade

Gov. Spanberger cheers for Diversity Richmond, Virginia Pride

Published

4 minutes ago

January 17, 2026

Michael Key

Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond march in the 2026 Inauguration Parade on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.

View on Threads

*The LGBTQ contingent in the Inauguration Parade in Richmond, Va. pass by the review stand on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Staff reports

(Bigstock photo)

The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.

Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.

A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.

Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.

“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”

Maryland

Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated

Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs

Published

1 day ago

January 16, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Merrick Moses, a violence prevention coordinator, works at the Pride Center of Maryland in Baltimore. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz for the Baltimore Banner)

By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.

The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.

By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.