Cory McCray Officially Files Certificate of Candidacy for Delegate of the 45th District
For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT: media@electcorymccray.com; 443-520-2611
Baltimore, MD (February 19, 2014)— Today, Cory V. McCray, a Democrat who resides in the Overlea community, officially filed his certificate of candidacy for Maryland delegate with the State Board of Elections.
“After meeting and engaging with thousands of people from every part of the district over the past several months, I am incredibly encouraged that the residents of Baltimore—particularly those of the 45th District—are ready for a different approach to make our City better,” said McCray.
McCray and a group of loyal supporters, dubbed “Team McCray,” began canvassing the 45th Legislative District in June 2013. While many questioned his rationale for launching his campaign a year before the election, McCray realized that he could not set out to represent the residents of East and Northeast Baltimore without hearing from them. Therefore, he kicked off the “Listening Tour” and became known as “A Leader Who Listens.”
Over the past several months, Team McCray canvassed all 58 precincts of the 45th Legislative District, knocked on more than 8,000 doors and engaged with nearly 10,500 of his neighbors. Running a grassroots campaign, McCray secured the support of nearly 300 individual donors, whose contributions ranged from $5 to $100. In January, Friends of Cory McCray reported a campaign finance account of more than $40,000.
After completing his first round of the “Listening Tour” in late December 2013, McCray began his second round in the new year, consistently knocking on doors, attending community meetings and hearing from voters whenever he gets a chance.
“As I meet voters, the one concern that continues to surface is the need for new leadership,” McCray continued. “Folks are ready for a fresh perspective. They want to make sure Baltimore educators have the resources they need to teach and our youth receive the support they need to ensure their success. Voters want state representatives who will advocate for new employment opportunities and support small businesses. They want leaders who work tirelessly to make Baltimore a safer place by focusing on serious crime and helping ex-offenders to seamlessly re-enter society.”
McCray resigned from the Baltimore City Board of Elections in May 2013 after serving on the board for two years. In 2012, McCray helped establish the B.E.S.T. Democratic Club, an organization that aims to empower the new generation of young voters to participate in the electoral process by bringing the political conversation back to the community.
A native of Baltimore City, McCray is a graduate of the Baltimore City Public School System and has been a successful small real estate business owner since he was 21-years old. Against all odds, by the age of 25, he completed a five-year apprenticeship program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), where he currently serves as an organizer. In 2013, McCray graduated from the National Labor College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.
Cory McCray is married to Demetria, an elementary school teacher. Together, they have two daughters, Kennedy and Reagan, and are expecting their third child in March.
McCray Only Non-Incumbent Candidate to Receive Early AFL-CIO Endorsement
For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT: media@electcorymccray.com; 443-520-2611
-After Launching a Competitive Campaign in June, McCray’s Future Is Looking Bright-
Baltimore, MD (October 28, 2013) – This weekend, the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO endorsed Cory V. McCray for his candidacy in the House of Delegates in the 2014 Primary Election. McCray, candidate for the 45th Legislative District, was the only non-incumbent Maryland candidate to receive the early endorsement from the largest federation of labor unions.
“Having the early support of the AFL-CIO, which represents over 150,000 working class families and the core values of strong neighborhoods, confirms that our campaign has built a solid foundation and is headed in the right direction,” said McCray.
McCray is a vocal advocate for working families, who is committed to ensuring that everyone make a living wage and have the opportunity to secure respectable retirements and affordable healthcare. He represents new leadership that will fight for safer streets, better schools, stronger small businesses and more jobs in East and Northeast Baltimore.
The AFL-CIO endorsement is the result of the hard work of concerned residents ready for “A Leader Who Listens” to their needs and will represent their interests in the Maryland General Assembly.
In addition to the hard work, the AFL-CIO has recognized the McCray for Delegate campaign for running one of the strongest campaigns in the State of Maryland’s 2014 election cycle. Each week, the McCray campaign works harder than the week before, gaining traction and building momentum.
Running an extremely competitive grassroots movement, the McCray campaign has already knocked on more than 5,000 doors and engaged more than 6,500 residents in the 45th District since June. For this reason, McCray was the only non-incumbent/challenger campaign in the Baltimore metropolitan to receive an early AFL-CIO endorsement.
McCray officially launched his campaign in June with his campaign website, www.electcorymccray.com. Since then, he and his team of supporters have canvassed numerous neighborhoods within the 45th Legislative District, knocking on doors and listening to concerned residents every weekend.
Having recently stepped down from the Baltimore City Board of Elections, McCray is an organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and founder of B.E.S.T. Democratic Club.