MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD (March 09, 2018) — Brandy Brooks, at-large candidate for Montgomery County Council and community organizer, has reached the donor and financial thresholds to qualify for matching funds from Montgomery County’s Public Election Fund. The campaign will file for certification next week and is expanding the team to build on recent successes.

“This milestone is a shared victory for the hundreds of supporters who galvanized their networks to support my campaign,” said Brandy Brooks. “When we put people power into action, we are an unstoppable force creating a new vision for Montgomery County politics and policy.”

The Montgomery County Public Election Fund program is the first of its kind in the state of Maryland. Candidates participating in the program commit to accept contributions only from individuals, and the County matches contributions from county residents up to four times for the at-large race. To qualify for matching funds in the at-large contest, candidates must collect at least $20,000 in contributions from at least 250 unique Montgomery County residents. As of the annual campaign finance report filing in January, Brooks’ campaign had collected $9,573 from 212 Montgomery County donors.

Through a committed grassroots effort among the hundreds of supporters in the county and the surrounding area, Brooks raised an additional $11,500 from Montgomery County donors in two months. The campaign has raised $21,038 from a total of 358 county residents to qualify for matching funds and more than $32,800 overall from a total of 623 small-dollar donors. Qualifying enables the campaign to bring on key staff members and expand voter outreach capacity.

While Brooks is excited to file, she recognizes the challenges that some candidates are facing in this new system. “Even as we reach this threshold, we are standing in solidarity with candidates who have been disqualified from using the Public Election Fund,” said Brooks. “I would not be able to run for office without this vital system for shifting political influence from big-money donors to everyday people. We believe that immediate corrective action is necessary so that the Public Election Fund fulfills its promise of providing access for diverse candidates across Montgomery County to successfully run for office.”

Brooks is one of 38 candidates running for four at-large seats on the Montgomery County Council. She has received major endorsements from the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, Progressive Maryland, and the Montgomery County Education Association. The Democratic Primary is June 26, 2018.

###

Brandy Brooks is a public election fund candidate for Montgomery County Council At-Large. She is an activist, educator, facilitator, and designer who has spent more than 10 years working on social and environmental justice.

To learn more about Brandy Brooks, go to www.brandy4montgomery.com.

Progressive Maryland and Montgomery County Education Association Endorse Brandy Brooks

Brooks will appear on the Apple Ballot and continues to stand out as a “dynamic, passionate, and inspiring” leader in the at-large contest.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD (March 09, 2018) — Brandy Brooks, at-large candidate for Montgomery County Council and community organizer, has received endorsements from Progressive Maryland and the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA). Progressive Maryland is a statewide advocacy organization promoting social, economic, and racial justice, with more than 120,000 members, supporters, and organizational affiliates. MCEA is the largest local affiliate of the National Education Association, representing over 14,000 teachers and education professionals. These are Brooks’ second and third endorsements, respectively.

“Brandy is a Progressive Maryland member and a former leader within the Montgomery County chapter,”  said Progressive Maryland’s Montgomery County chapter in their endorsement recommendation. “She now works with the Statewide organization to help train leaders in chapters across Maryland. Those of you who have had the opportunity to meet Brandy in person or to hear her speak already know what a dynamic, passionate, inspiring person Brandy is. A tireless advocate for the disadvantaged, Brandy has a unique ability to galvanize nearly everyone she meets.”

“MCEA is beyond excited to extend the Apple Ballot recommendation to Brandy Brooks,” said Nikki Woodward, Chair of the Political Action Community Engagement (PACE) committee and member of the Board of Directors for MCEA. “Ms. Brooks brings an excitement, energy, and breadth of knowledge regarding the needs of students, families, communities, and schools. We strongly believe the addition of Ms. Brooks and her wholistic and thoughtful priorities and policy ideas will ensure that all learners will have access to a high quality education and enrichment opportunities.”

Brooks, a Democrat, is Progressive Maryland’s Leadership Development Organizer as well as a member. Brooks also has several years of experience teaching in higher education, and has been an instructor or guest lecturer at the Boston Architectural College, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, MIT, Suffolk University, and Tufts University. She received the endorsement of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America in January.

“It is a tremendous honor to be endorsed by these progressive champions in Montgomery County,” said Brooks. “Progressive Maryland has been my organizing home and where I have developed as a leader and a powerbuilder. It means so much to have the support of my colleagues in Montgomery County and around the state. And the time and energy MCEA members devoted to this endorsement process so clearly illustrates what our county’s teachers demonstrate every day: their passion and commitment to providing the best education for the students of our county. I’m proud to work alongside such exceptional advocates for Montgomery County’s families and communities.”

Brooks is committed to fair elections and is participating in the new public financing system in Montgomery County. The campaign is preparing to file for certification of matching funds this month.

The Democratic Primary is June 26, 2018.

###

Brandy Brooks is a public election fund candidate for Montgomery County Council At-Large. Brooks has been endorsed by the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, Progressive Maryland, and the Montgomery County Education Association. She is an activist, educator, facilitator, and designer who has spent more than 10 years working on social and environmental justice.

To learn more about Brandy Brooks, go to www.brandy4montgomery.com.

We’ve got exactly 7 months until the Democratic Primary – June 26, 2018.

Brandy’s Power Posse continues to grow but there is still work to be done if we want to shift power back to everyday people. Earlier this month our campaign manager, Michelle, shared that we are over halfway towards a major goal for qualifying for matching funds: 250 Montgomery County donors.

We need your help to get 250 donors before the end of the year. Can you help us?

Here are 3 ways to help us qualify:

1. Share why you support Brandy. We are collecting quotes and testimonials about why folks support Brandy. Feel free to post on social media (tag the campaign at @brandy4moco) or you can email the campaign at [email protected] and we will post your story online for you.

2. Ask two (2) people to donate $5 or more to the campaign. Every donation helps us get closer to qualifying. Our average donation is $38 so we want folks to give what they can – it helps get big money out of our politics so that the issues that matter most – your issues – are what our elected leaders focus on. Share our donate link brandy4montgomery.com/donate.

3. Join our #GivingTuesday Thunderclap on November 28 and wear purple. We’d love for you to wear purple on Tuesday, November 28 and volunteer with a community project in your neighborhood. Send a picture of yourself wearing purple to show your support for Brandy and give back to your community by volunteering at a local community center or organization. https://brandy4montgomery.com/thunderclap1128

   What’s a Thunderclap? It’s using social media collectively to boost a message — in this case, about #GivingTuesday and Brandy’s campaign — all you have to do is click a button and Thunderclap sends out a message on your behalf. Together, we can do good online and in our communities!