President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign has been described as “selfless,” a term not commonly associated with politicians. This move has been widely praised for its extraordinary nature, particularly in a field where political selflessness is a rarity. Looking back at other examples of political selflessness, several historic moments in Maryland’s history stand out.
One example is Lawrence Hogan, who called for the impeachment of President Nixon during the Watergate scandal, even though it cost him his party’s nomination for governor. Similarly, Harry Hughes resigned as Maryland’s secretary of transportation in protest of political corruption, leading to his successful run for governor and reputation for restoring integrity to state government.
Governor Frank Brown made a heroic move in 1892 by saving the lives of four young Black men falsely accused of murder on the Eastern Shore. Gloria Richardson led the fight against segregation and discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, while Dr. Bessie Moses defied laws against birth control by opening Baltimore’s first clinic in 1927.
Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes displayed courage in 2002 by voting against the unilateral war in Iraq, despite being in the minority. Senator Mac Mathias took progressive stances during the Reagan era, opposing mandatory sentences for federal inmates and warning against mass incarceration from the war on drugs.
Former Mayor Kurt Schmoke also challenged the tough-on-crime approach to drug policy, advocating for addiction to be treated as a public health crisis. These examples highlight moments of moral courage and selflessness in Maryland’s political history, demonstrating the impact of leaders who are willing to stand up for what they believe is right.
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