Drawing On Themes Of Opportunity And Inequality, Former Obama Ed Secretary John King Announces Run For Maryland Governor

Drawing on Themes of Opportunity and Inequality, Former Obama Ed Secretary John King Announces Run for Maryland Governor

Former U.S. Secretary of Education, John King, has announced his candidacy for the governor of Maryland in 2022. With a background as a teacher and school founder, King’s campaign focuses on the topics of education, opportunity, and inequality.

King, who previously served as a cabinet appointee under former President Barack Obama, has the potential to become the first African American governor of Maryland. His experience in federal education politics sets him apart from other candidates. In a video posted on Twitter, King emphasizes his strong connections to public schools.

"I am running for governor of Maryland because I believe in a prosperous future for our state, one that is based on economic, racial, climate, and educational justice. As Marylanders, we share a common destiny, and together we can achieve that future," King stated.

King also highlighted the importance of teachers in his campaign, stating that a governor should prioritize listening to students and seeing them as individuals. This alignment with educators may help him secure support in the Democratic primary, although his previous conflicts with teachers’ unions could complicate his candidacy.

King joins a growing list of Democratic candidates competing in the primary, including Peter Franchot, a long-serving comptroller in the state, and Rushern Baker, former Prince George’s County Executive. As Republican Governor Larry Hogan is unable to seek re-election, more candidates are expected to enter the race. Wes Moore, a popular author and the founder of BridgeEdU, an education-related tech platform, is considering a run, as well as former Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez.

Maryland is seen as a key target for a Democratic takeover in the upcoming election, according to national forecasters. Despite his lack of campaign experience and deep ties to Maryland politics, King’s inspirational biography may help him connect with voters. As an orphan who was expelled from high school, he credits career educators for helping him overcome adversity and earn three Ivy League degrees.

While King has primarily worked in New York and Massachusetts throughout his career, he has a personal connection to Maryland through his great-grandfather, who was once enslaved near where King currently resides in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. David Steiner, the executive director of Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Education Policy and King’s predecessor as New York State commissioner of education, expressed his excitement about King’s candidacy, praising his courage and passion for progress.

However, King’s extensive experience in the K-12 education realm could also present challenges. On one hand, his expertise could benefit the state, especially since recent legislation has allocated significant funding for education reform. Yet, King’s reformist background may also create controversy and opposition among certain groups.

Overall, King’s campaign for governor of Maryland aims to address key issues in education, opportunity, and inequality, leveraging his experience and personal story to appeal to voters.

In the meantime, the inexperienced candidate’s previous role as an advocate for educational reform, which included leading a highly respected charter school in Boston, could work against him when trying to gain support from Democratic voters next spring. Randi Weingarten, the leader of the American Federation of Teachers, has previously criticized King for his time as the head of New York schools, and his relationships with the unions were strained during his time as deputy education secretary under Arne Duncan.

The Maryland State Education Association, the largest teachers’ union in the state, is likely to have a significant influence in selecting the nominee. Four years ago, they played a crucial role in defeating Baker in his primary battle against eventual nominee Ben Jealous, the former leader of the NAACP.

Gail Sunderman, a research scientist at the University of Maryland and the founder of the Maryland Equity Project, expressed in an email to that it was "promising to see a gubernatorial candidate in Maryland who prioritizes education and equity in such a prominent way in his campaign."

"He has a captivating story that connects him to Maryland," she wrote. "While his impressive credentials are noteworthy, it will be fascinating to observe how his lack of experience in Maryland politics plays out."

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