Why I registered as ‘Uncommitted’ candidate for Democratic National Convention delegate

Opinion: Biden has been a good commander-in-chief, but it is time the country moved on from the octogenarian president.

By Shukoor Ahmed

I have been actively involved in electoral politics in Maryland since the late 1990s. I first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998 in District 23, which covered Greenbelt, Bowie, and part of Upper Marlboro.

In that race, there were three incumbents and four challengers, and the incumbent delegates did not have a good relationship with the incumbent senator. I learned valuable lessons, enjoyed the process, and became drawn to electoral politics.

In 2000, I volunteered and played a key role in Bill Bradley’s presidential campaign against the Democratic Party’s establishment candidate, Vice President Al Gore. I was also his Male Delegate candidate for the Democratic Convention. Two years later, I assisted Prince George’s County State Attorney Jack Johnson, who ran in a crowded race and won with 34 percent of the vote. In 2004, I coordinated Sen. Joe Lieberman’s campaign in Maryland and assembled his slate of delegates. I was also a candidate for delegate to the convention.

Opinion: Biden should not seek reelection, amid rising concerns about his age and mental acuity (September 17, 2023)

Over the last two decades, I have helped many candidates who were unknown, young, and not taken seriously due to various reasons such as being deemed non-electable, not being connected to the political machine of the district or unwilling to align with the political establishment. However, they were willing to articulate their ideas and policies, and most importantly, they had the passion to serve the public. In that spirit, I mentored and played some role in electing 6 millennials on the Board of Education in Prince George’s who were below 30 whereas the average age of a board member is 55 and they did an incredible job.

I provide this background to emphasize that I have always been an outsider and admire those who are willing to challenge entrenched political machines. IIn a similar spirit, I supported Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2016 over the establishment candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I felt that the Democratic Party did not maintain a level playing field and favored Hillary. Perhaps with Bernie, the Democrats could have won the White House.

In 2020, the party repeated the same pattern and sidelined Bernie (although we did win the White House this time). Since assuming office in January 2021, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden has done a commendable job. However, I did not want him to run in 2024.

I hoped there would be an open primary, allowing rank-and-file Democrats to vote for potential successors, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and possibly Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (who, I believe, is certainly motivated to run for president).

I am deeply disappointed that the most powerful nation in the world has two leading candidates from both parties in their late 70s and early 80s. Former President Donald Trump, who is the overwhelming favorite to clinch the Republican nomination will be 78 by mid-June. Biden will be 82 in November.) As a citizen, I am dismayed that a country of more than 330 million people is left with a rematch of 2020.

While the Republican party made a feeble attempt at having a nominee other than Trump, in the Democratic primary, we had no significant contenders, and all potential candidates are biding their time. There may be a sentiment within the Democratic party leadership that our current president will prevail over his former rival Trump. However, I am not convinced of this approach and would prefer someone else as the Democratic nominee.

On January 31st, I filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections to run for delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Congressional District 5 as an “Uncommitted” candidate, registering my dissent.

In Maryland primary elections, voters have the option to vote for “Uncommitted” instead of selecting a specific candidate. By voting “Uncommitted” one can convey dissatisfaction and dissent. By choosing “Uncommitted,” voters can signal their dissatisfaction with the available candidates or options, effectively serving as a protest vote against the establishment candidates.

I hope many Marylanders will cast their vote for “Uncommitted” and send a message to the political operatives who may be supporting Biden for their special interests rather than the greater good of the country.