Baltimore County Executive and Democratic candidate for governor Kevin Kamenetz announced that Valerie Ervin will join his campaign as candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Ervin served two terms on the Montgomery County Council, including a period as Council President. She was the first African American woman ever elected to the council.
She was also elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education.
“Throughout her career, Valerie Ervin has been a fighter for progressive change, and a tireless advocate for education,” said Kevin Kamenetz in a statement.
“Valerie’s combination of elected experience, community and policy leadership, and dedication to getting things done makes her the ideal partner in my campaign to become the ‘Education Governor’ that Maryland needs.”
“I first ran for office when I discovered that my own child was being denied educational opportunities and after considering how many other children faced similar challenges—I had to get off the sidelines and get to work,” said Valerie Ervin.
“Now, with Donald Trump in the White House and Larry Hogan in the State House, I’ve never been more concerned for the children across our state and so I am ready to keep fighting. I'm thrilled to join Kevin’s campaign to return Maryland's schools to best in the nation."
After nearly a decade of service as an elected official in Montgomery County, Ervin took the post of Executive Director of the Center for Working Families.
Ervin leaves her current position as senior adviser for the Working Families Party, where she helped direct the progressive coalition’s efforts expand economic and educational opportunity for families across the country.
Kamenetz is one of eight candidates running for the democratic nomination.
Krishanti Vignarajah, a former Policy Director to former First Lady Michelle Obama, is the only woman running and hasn't announced her running mate.
Ralph Jaffe announced his candidacy.
Ben Jealous, former President and CEO of the NAACP, is running with Susie Turnbull, former Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party.
Attorney Jim Shea announced last week that he will run with City Councilman Brandon Scott.
State Senator Richard Madaleno announced his running mate Monday at Western High School. Luwanda Jenkins used to work as an aide to former Governor Martin O'Malley.
Alec Ross also announced his running mate on Monday. He chose craft brewery owner Julie Verratti.
Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker announced Ethizabeth Embry as his running mate.
The only republican in the race right now is Governor Larry Hogan.
Interested candidates have one more week to file to run for Governor. The deadline is February 27.
The primary election in Maryland is being held on June 26.
