NPEU Endorses Max Socol and Gabe Acevero in Maryland, Zachary Parker and Initiative 82 in DC, and Austin Freedom Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kaitlin Bell, NPEU, kbell@npeu.org, 806-752-0529

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2022 - The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) has issued endorsements for 2022 primary elections in DC and Maryland, endorsing Max Socol for state senate in Maryland’s 18 district and Gabe Acevero for house of delegate in Maryland’s 39 district as well as DC’s Initiative 82 and Zachary Parker for DC Council in Ward 5. NPEU also endorsed the City of Austin’s Prop A 2022, the Austin Freedom Act, which already passed. These endorsements come after a vote by the membership of NPEU where the candidates and propositions received overwhelming support.

As NPEU’s membership has expanded to include working people who live across the country, NPEU’s executive board and membership looked to endorse pro-worker candidates and ballot initiatives throughout the U.S. 

Max Socol is a progressive running a grassroots campaign for state senate in Maryland’s 18 district. He is a former employee of Bend the Arc where he supported the staff’s successful union organizing drive with NPEU. Max is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and CASA in Action. If elected, Max will be a strong, progressive voice in Annapolis.

Gabe Acevero is running for re-election as house delegate in Maryland’s 39 district. Gabe has been a champion on issues of racial, economic, and immigrant justice. He is a former member of the Montgomery County Public Employees’ Union and a strong supporter of organized labor and working people. Gabe has been endorsed by CASA in Action, DSA, and the Montgomery County Education Association. 

Zachary Parker is running in the crowded Democratic primary for council member in DC’s Ward 5. Zachary is the most progressive candidate in the field and has more individual contributions from DC donors than any other candidate. He has been endorsed by Metro DC DSA, Working Families Party DC, Sunrise Movement DC, 32BJ SEIU, and DC Attorney General Karl A. Racine. NPEU is proud to support Zachary and his vision of healthy communities and stopping cycles of violence and trauma, corruption and displacement. He is trusted in the community and has independence to hold government agencies accountable. 

DC’s Initiative 82 would gradually increase the tip wage in DC from $5.05 to match DC’s minimum wage over the course of 10 years. Proposition 82 is a pro-worker ballot initiative that would improve conditions for many servers, bartenders, and other tipped workers who often suffer from wage theft and other workplace issues due to tip credit systems.

Austin, Texas’ Prop A 2022, the Austin Freedom Act, eliminates the enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses by restricting the ability of Austin police to issue citations or make arrests for Class A or Class B misdemeanor possession offenses. The policy also bans dangerous "no knock" warrants by prohibiting officers from requesting, executing, or participating in search warrants that do not require officers to announce their presence at a residence before entering. While the measure has already passed, our union is enthused to see Austin take substantial action against no-knock warrants and marijuana criminalization. 

“Our country needs bold, progressive leaders and policies that will help unstack the deck against working people,” said NPEU President Katie Barrows. “NPEU members are proud to endorse pro-worker and progressive candidates and ballot initiatives in DC, Maryland, and beyond. We will continue to use our power at the ballot box to advance equity, racial justice, affordable housing, quality public schools, and good jobs.”

Maryland’s Primary Election day is July 19, 2022, and Maryland voters can vote by mail or in-person. Additionally, Maryland voters can vote in-person early starting July 7, 2022 through July 14, 2022. DC’s Primary Election is June 21, 2022, and the DC Board of Elections will mail each registered DC voter a mail-in ballot ahead of the election. The City of Austin’s Special Election occurred on May 7, 2022. 

About NPEU:

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), a local of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, represents professionals employed at 49 organizations in Washington, DC and across the country.  NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people’s lives.