They told me no.

When we started this race, people told me “no” a lot. They told me to wait my turn. That my chance at winning and becoming Maryland’s first Black governor was a long shot. [Logo]( {NAME}, When we started this race, people told me “no” a lot. They told me to wait my turn. That my chance at winning and becoming Maryland’s first Black governor was a long shot. Well, my entire life has been a long shot. I lost both of my parents by the time I was 12. I bounced around between family members, and like so many kids who experience trauma, I struggled — so much so that I was kicked out of high school my junior year. But with the help of those around me, especially my public school teachers and my school counselor, I was given a lifesaving second chance and opportunities I otherwise would never have known. Because they invested in me and steered me to get my life back on track, I went on to become the second African American and first Puerto Rican person to lead the U.S. Department of Education – and one of the youngest Cabinet secretaries in history. So when members of the Maryland Democratic Party establishment told me things like: - A Black candidate can’t win in Maryland - Your progressive ideas — like ensuring world-class schools for all of our kids or making Maryland one of the first states to be net-zero greenhouse gas emissions — are too bold - Teachers can’t be leaders outside the classroom {NAME}, I knew that with the right people by my side, we would prove them wrong. In just a few months, our campaign has surged in the polls and proven that we can pull this off. We started 2022 polling at 6%, and since January we have risen to 16% — just 1 POINT behind my establishment opponent Peter Franchot. I’m so proud of this grassroots team for fueling us to where we are today, less than two months from our primary. But with our May fundraising deadline just days away, I need you to step up today to help us reach our end-of-month fundraising goal and fuel the next phase of this campaign. [Can I count on you to chip in right now?]( [CONTRIBUTE]( I know that together we can win this election and bring real change to Maryland, and it would mean so much to know I have your support now. I am so grateful for all that you do, John King --------------------------------------------------------------- Paid for by John King for Governor, Eliza Leighton, Treasurer John King for Governor PO Box 8429 Silver Spring, MD 20907 United States [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [CONTRIBUTE TODAY]( [CONTRIBUTE WEEKLY]( If you would like to learn more about John King's historic campaign for Maryland governor, text PROGRESS to 48178, or visit our [website](. By providing your mobile phone number you consent to receive recurring text messages from John King for Governor. Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for Info. Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary. If you would prefer to not get updates from the campaign, please [unsubscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}