Riding the recent wave of success of DSA candidates across the country, the Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America (GBDSA) is holding an event to kick off its 2026 general election campaign.

At a launch to take place at Druid Hill Park at the Chinese Pavilion next Monday (July 27) at 5:30 p.m., members of the coalition plan to talk about their priorities with 100 days to go until Election Day.

“As a Democratic Socialist, I want to see working class people have more control over their futures,” Joel Pally, co-chair of the GBDSA’s Electoral Working Group, said in a news release.

“Many working class voters are seeing their interests ignored or not addressed with the urgency they deserve in both City Hall and Annapolis,” Pally said.

“There is broad dissatisfaction with the current state of politics across the country – we think voters here are feeling it too,” added Arjun Janakan, GBDSA’s communications officer, speaking with The Brew.

Janakan noted that DSA candidates are having a moment nationally, scoring multiple electoral victories already this year – including House primaries in New York, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

After the Monday event, the group plans to canvass the area to talk about what democratic socialism means and advocate for their endorsed candidates, including Ashley “Ash” Esposito.

A member of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners seeking re-election, Esposito was the top vote-getter in the unaffiliated race for two open seats on the board.

“Ash Esposito received the most votes of any candidate on the ballot in her race, earning a commanding 26% of the vote among seven candidates, demonstrating the way socialist values connect with everyday Baltimoreans,” chapter leaders remarked.

An elected GBDSA official, Esposito says on her website that her primary focus is “on children who fall through the cracks of the educational system, specifically those with high dropout rates or low graduation rates.”

“What I have seen broadly is that society, as a structure, just accepts that certain kids fall through the cracks,” she continues. “It is not okay to say that certain kids are going to just fall through the cracks. We are working to create conditions that allow every student to be successful.”

Support for Babies and Teachers

Another priority the GBDSA team will promote is The Baby Fund, started by Baltimore city teachers, which recently reached its signature goal to qualify for the November ballot. Its purpose is to create a fund in the city’s budget to provide financial support to newborns and their parents.

The proposed charter amendment mandates that the City Council allocate a specific amount towards the fund, equal to 0.03% of city property value, generating an estimated $15 million.

(An earlier version of the amendment that specified $1,000 to qualifying families was challenged by Mayor Scott’s office and shot down by the Maryland Supreme Court. The current language only requires the funds to be used “exclusively to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City.”)

Another priority the group will promote is the Baltimore Teachers Union’s campaign for more planning time.

“As a teacher, I’m watching City Schools shutter positions, grow class sizes, not reimburse my lab supplies, and provide inadequate transportation options for our children,” Pally said. “My co-workers are burning out because they don’t have the time, resources or support needed to do their jobs.

“Then I see politicians promising us the world in public, but caving to corporate and wealthy interests behind closed doors,” he said. “It’s time for working people to take back control of their government and their lives. This is just the start.”