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<h2>"I think we need new thoughts, new faces, and new ideas. I'm fully behind Destiny."<br>- Ana Sol Guitierrez<br>MD State Delegate<br></h2>

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<small><p></p></small><h4>Your voice for working families, stronger communities, and economic opportunity.</h4>

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<h1>This campaign is powered by neighbors like you. </h1>

<p>"I'm running for the Maryland State Senate to make Upper Montgomery County the easiest place in Maryland for anyone to build a great life."</p><p>-Destiny Drake West</p>

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<p><span style="color: var(--color-bg2-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg2-text-accent-primary);">Community Advocate, Working Mom, New Generation of Leadership</span></p>

<h1><span style="color: var(--color-bg2-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg2-text);">Meet Destiny</span></h1>

<p>Destiny Drake West is running to make Upcounty the easiest place in Maryland for anyone (regardless of background or ability) to build a great life, and more broadly to make Maryland the best place in the region to turn talent into opportunity. With experience overseeing major federal investments and advancing policies that strengthen economic mobility, she believes government should be judged not by how much it spends, but by whether it helps people build careers, start businesses, purchase homes, raise families, and build wealth.</p>

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<p>As your next State Senator, <span style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);"><strong style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);">Destiny Drake West </strong>e</span>nvisions making Upper Montgomery County the easiest place in Maryland for anyone to build a great life.</p>

<h1>A Working Mom &amp;<br>Experienced Government Leader with a Bold Vision.</h1>

<p>You can trust <span style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);"><strong style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);">Destiny Drake West</strong></span> to carry your voice to Annapolis. Vote June 23.</p>

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<h4>Latino Democratic Club (LDC) of Montgomery County Endorses Destiny for State Senate</h4><p>Destiny attends the 2026 LDC Candidate Mixer and meets with top Latino leaders in Montgomery County.</p>

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<h2>Help us spread the word about Destiny's campaign. Share this page with your neighbors, faith leaders, friends, &amp; family.</h2>

<h4>Count Us In</h4><p>District 39 Residents Attended the "Count Us In" Rally on June 6th in Support of Destiny Drake West's campaign for State Senate.</p>

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<h2>Fighting for Economic Opportunity for All </h2>

<p>Care is economic infrastructure. As a mom of MCPS students and a toddler, Destiny understands the importance of <strong>expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare, disability care, and elder care. </strong>These investments strengthen workforce participation, stabilize households, support caregivers, and reduce strain on schools, health systems, and other community services.  </p>

<h2>Investing in Our Care Economy</h2>

<p><strong>Health care is a basic necessity.</strong> As federal responsibilities shift, Maryland must protect affordable care, expand mental health services, and ensure children, seniors, people with disabilities, and immigrant families don't lose access to the care they need. Destiny's experience at the Health Resources and Services Administration has prepared her to meet this challenge.</p>

<h2>Expanding Affordable Healthcare Access</h2>

<p><strong>Housing is the foundation of economic stability.</strong> As housing costs continue to rise, Maryland must expand affordable housing, increase pathways to homeownership, and help families remain rooted in their communities. Drawing on her experience at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Destiny understands the policies needed to promote housing stability and economic mobility.</p>

<h2>Housing Stability and Affordability</h2>

<p><strong>Economic opportunity starts with a strong workforce.</strong> Upper Montgomery County should lead in innovation, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and job creation. Destiny believes every student should graduate with a clear pathway to economic success, while local businesses have the talent they need to grow and thrive.</p>

<h2>Workforce Development &amp; Education Systems</h2>

<p>Maryland must continue leading on climate action while ensuring that solutions work for everyday families. That means investing in clean energy that <strong>strengthens our power grid, lowering household utility costs, protecting our water resources, and ensuring that new development</strong>—such as data centers—is responsibly planned.</p>

<h2>Environmental Protection</h2>

<p>Maryland should <strong>prioritize modern, transit-forward solutions that move more people, reduce congestion, and strengthen connections across our region.</strong> That means investing in public transit, improving bus and rail service, and building safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists so families have more affordable and reliable ways to get around.</p>

<h2>Transportation &amp; Mobility</h2>

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<p>You’re here because this moment matters.</p><p>After 18 years of the same representation, our communities are ready for something new—and this is our chance to deliver it. A working mom is on the ballot, a movement is building, and in the next 21 days, we have the opportunity to prove it.</p><p>With just three candidates in this race, Destiny has a clear path to win—but only if we show the strength of this campaign right now.</p><p><strong>During Women’s History Month, join the 100 women stepping up to win—and make history by electing the first Black woman to this seat.</strong></p><p>This is how momentum is built. This is how races are won.<br>Join us.</p>

<h2>Join the 100 Women for Destiny Initiative!</h2>

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<p>As your next State Senator, <span style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);"><strong style="color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-bg0-text-accent-secondary);">Destiny Drake West,</strong></span> will boldly carry your voice to Annapolis.</p>

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<h2>Learn where Destiny stands on the issues and how your voice will be represented in Annapolis.</h2>

<h2>A Snapshot of Destiny's Life</h2><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/b54df124-1fde-43bd-8a2b-b669432e0214/20849be6-672c-42a5-a350-af161d06a561.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3072%2C3471&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><h5>Destiny Drake West is a working mom, veteran’s wife, and criminologist running for Maryland State Senate to represent District 39.</h5><h5>She was raised by a young mother and a supportive stepfather who worked hard to provide for their family. At times, her family relied on <strong>public supports like SNAP (food assistance), WIC, Medicaid, public housing, and free and reduced-price school meals</strong> to get by. Growing up with these supports taught Destiny that when public programs are strong and accessible, they help families weather hardship and move forward.</h5><span class="image image-framed image-right image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/85d4d25c-9cb2-4bc3-b686-4e0284b85d26/12f8d545-3565-444c-ac85-c992fb432d06.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3038&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p></p><p></p><p>From an early age, Destiny saw how hard families work—and how challenging it can be to navigate systems that are often confusing, underfunded, or disconnected from real life. These experiences shaped her view of government as something deeply personal, with real consequences for whether families can meet basic needs, care for their children, and build stable lives.</p><p></p><p>Destiny began her career in public service, including working in <strong>Annapolis</strong> during the Maryland General Assembly, first for then-County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and later as the Legislative Director in the Senate. There, she learned how state laws are written, debated, and implemented, and how decisions made in the State House affect households across Maryland. She has also served as the National Committeewoman for the Maryland Young Democrats and on the Board of Directors for the Women's Democratic Club of Montgomery County. That experience gave her a practical understanding of how policy can either support families or make life harder.</p><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/d0a5b7a2-d3bd-4def-b214-7a83bc745b1f/fc1eb760-4f97-4d06-ad30-84d6fa7a8602.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3294%2C4096&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/0ecd750f-e482-401c-93e8-8bea6ffee952/0ecd750f-e482-401c-93e8-8bea6ffee952.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C594%2C1536%2C1574&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>She later served in senior roles in the federal government, where she helped oversee more than <strong>$1 billion in public investments</strong>. Her work focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce, expanding access to essential services, and addressing housing instability nationwide. Destiny is known for making sure public dollars are used responsibly and programs deliver real results.</p><p>Destiny is also the founder of the <strong>Drake Institute of Women’s Policy</strong>, a nonpartisan organization focused on economic security for women and families. The Institute works on practical solutions related to food access, childcare, health, housing, and jobs—grounded in lived experience and informed by policy expertise.</p><p>Becoming a parent deepened Destiny’s commitment to policies that support families and caregivers. Like many parents in District 39, she balances work, family life, and rising costs—and understands how much families depend on strong schools, affordable healthcare, and reliable public supports.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Now, Destiny is running for State Senate to bring her experience home. She believes District 39 deserves leadership that understands what it means to rely on public supports, values families and caregivers, and is ready to deliver results that help people thrive.</p><p></p>

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<h4>Terms of Service:</h4><p>Destiny West for the People's mobile campaigns provide subscribers with updates, event invitations, donation asks, and voting reminders.</p><p>You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP". After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending SMS messages to you again.</p><p>If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at <a href="mailto:info@destinyforthepeople.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">info@destinyforthepeople.com</a>.</p><p>Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. T-Mobile is not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.</p><p>As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.</p><p><em>By providing your cell phone number, you agree to receive texts to your number from Destiny West for the People. Texts will include messages about fundraising solicitations, voter engagement, volunteer engagement, election information. Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to opt-out. Reply HELP for help or more information. Msg and data rates may apply. Privacy Policy can be found here: </em><a href="https://www.destinyforthepeople.com/privacy-policy-terms-conditions"><em>https://www.destinyforthepeople.com/privacy-policy-terms-conditions</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy.</p><h4>Privacy Policy:&nbsp;</h4><p>Destiny West for the People is committed to protecting your privacy online. This 10DLC &amp; Toll-Free Privacy Policy is in addition to and supplements all other privacy and data security obligations of “Destiny for the People”, including our operations, employment and website privacy policies (collectively, our “Privacy Policy”). It describes our obligations and practices of how we collect and use customer consent and opt-ins for our texting and/or email services and programs.</p><p>This 10DLC &amp; Toll-Free Privacy Policy applies to SMS and MMS texts from Destiny West for the People.</p><h5>CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED:</h5><p>We will collect your name, phone number and indication of consent to receive text (SMS and MMS).</p><h5>HOW WE USE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED:</h5><p>In addition to providing the services and complying with our Privacy Policy, we use the information to confirm consent to receive text (SMS and MMS).</p><p><em>We will not sell, rent, or otherwise share your personal data to third parties for promotional/marketing purposes. However, we may share your information with service providers for business operations and/or legal authorities when required by law or to protect our rights.</em></p><h5>TO WHOM DO WE SHARE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED:</h5><p>Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, provided that the foregoing does not apply to sharing (1) with vendors, consultants and other service providers who need access to such information to carry out work on our behalf (and who will not use such information for their own purposes); (2) if we believe disclosure is required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation or to comply with law enforcement or legal process.</p><p>Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.</p><p>You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by texting STOP to any text you receive from us.</p><p>This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically and without prior notice to you to reflect changes in our information practices and applicable law. We suggest that you periodically review the Privacy Policy for amendments.</p>

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<p>With your support, this campaign can win. Please chip in whatever you can today to move to help us reach more voters, unseat Nancy King, and send Destiny to Annapolis as the first Black Senator for District 39.</p>

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<p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">Maryland's next phase of leadership must focus on economic systems that allow families to thrive, not just survive.</strong> I’m focused on key issues that the Maryland State Senate has the power to address.</span></p>

<h2>Destiny’s Top Issues</h2>

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<h2>Destiny Drake West for Maryland State Senate</h2>

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<h4>Change is on the Way</h4><p>We've waited long enough for solutions to the challenges facing our community. It's time to usher in a new generation of leadership that will fight to strengthen public schools, lower healthcare costs, increase affordable housing, and build an economy that works for every household.</p>

<h2>Destiny Drake West is running to bring bold, transformative leadership to Maryland's Democratic party. <br><br>When elected, Destiny would be the first Black Senator to represent the district.<br></h2>

<p>We're meeting neighbors on the campaign trail in communities across Germantown, Montgomery Village, and Clarksburg. </p>

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Destiny Drake West is running to unseat Senator Nancy King who blocked Maryland's chance to fight Trump's racist gerrymandering. This race is bigger than Maryland.

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<p><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">Housing instability is one of the greatest economic pressures facing families today and is one of the most expensive failures of public policy. </span><span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>We must prioritize preventing displacement, preserving and increasing affordable housing, and using public resources strategically to support families and seniors,</strong></span><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"> promoting long-term stability and affordability rather than crisis response.</span></p>

<p>Education and workforce systems must keep Maryland’s economy resilient in a changing national landscape. Strengthening education-to-workforce pipelines through community colleges, minority-serving institutions, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships will help prepare workers for in-demand careers.</p><p>I support expanding registered apprenticeships and industry partnerships that help small businesses find skilled workers and give Marylanders clear pathways to good-paying jobs.<span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong> By investing in workforce training, safe workplaces, and opportunities for advancement, we can strengthen local businesses, grow our economy, and support working households across our community.</strong></span></p>

<h2>Workforce Development & Education Systems that Work for All Students</h2>

<p>Care is economic infrastructure. <strong>Expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare, disability care, and elder care</strong> strengthens workforce participation, stabilizes households, supports caregivers, and reduces downstream strain on schools, health systems, and youth-serving systems.</p><p>We want to hear your thoughts on this issue.</p>

<p>Care is economic infrastructure. <span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>Expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare, disability care, and elder care</strong> </span>strengthens workforce participation, stabilizes households, supports caregivers, and reduces downstream strain on schools, health systems, and youth-serving systems. </p>

<p><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">I a</strong><span style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);"><strong style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">m a return on investment for American taxpayers.&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p>I was raised by a young mother, alongside my siblings, in public housing. Our family relied on the social safety net: food assistance, WIC, cash assistance, Medicaid, free school meals and summer nutrition programs to support my development.<span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong> Poverty did not define my childhood because the safety net worked</strong></span></p>

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<h4>I Am Proof the Social Safety Net Supports Youth. Why are we Tearing it Down?</h4>

<p>This is a celebration of power, purpose, and momentum. Join a select group of women leading the 100 Women for Destiny initiative as we celebrate our collective impact—and invite those ready to step into host roles and help lead this historic campaign to victory.</p>

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<p>As a working mom raising an active young family, I understand that <span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>clean air, safe drinking water, and reliable energy shape our children’s health, our household budgets, and the quality of life in our communities.</strong></span></p><p>Maryland must continue leading on climate action while ensuring that solutions work for everyday families. That means investing in clean energy that <span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>strengthens our power grid, lowering household utility costs, protecting our water resources, and ensuring that new development</strong></span>—such as data centers—is responsibly planned so that economic growth does not place environmental burdens on already overburdened communities.</p>

<h2>Environmental Protection, Sustainability, and Equity</h2>

<span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/10404f34-dd1a-4d53-8750-b9d2c813d44c/10404f34-dd1a-4d53-8750-b9d2c813d44c.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2157%2C1376&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Louisiana v. Callais, weakening one of the primary tools used to protect the voting power of Black and Immigrant communities, nationwide.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Nearly a quarter of our district is Black. More than a quarter is Latino. These communities already face measurable disparities:</p><ul><li><p>Black households in Maryland hold a fraction of the median wealth of white households.</p></li><li><p>Latino workers are overrepresented in low-wage sectors with limited economic mobility.</p></li><li><p>Black residents remain disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system.</p></li><li><p>Housing instability and homelessness continue to fall hardest on Black and Latino households.</p></li></ul><p><strong>And in our own State Senate:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Only three Black women currently serve—and one of them is set to retire this year.</p></li><li><p>Latino Marylanders—who make up a growing share of our population—have no representation at all.</p></li></ul><p>This is the foundation we are working from.</p><p>And now, the legal protections that have historically safeguarded political representation for these communities have been weakened by this Supreme Court ruling—at the same time that we are seeing deliberate, coordinated attacks on Black, immigrant, poor, and working class communities coming from the federal level under Donald Trump.</p><p>These are not isolated policy shifts. They are connected actions: increased ICE presence in communities like ours, layoffs across the federal workforce, and the dismantling of protections tied to workplace equity, education, and healthcare.</p><p>These decisions are already being felt here in District 39 and across Maryland. And in this moment, when our communities are under direct pressure, Nancy King has failed to even try to fight back for the people she represents.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Maryland had an opportunity to respond.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>HB488, a proposal to redraw congressional maps, passed the House and had the support of Governor Wes Moore. It acknowledged that the political landscape was shifting and that inaction carries risk.</p><p>Yet, in the Senate, it did not move.</p><p>For District 39, this is a double blow. Not only will we feel the impact of the decision to let HB488 die in committee, but our senator, Nancy King, as Senate Majority Leader, was responsible for allowing it to happen knowing the risk it posed to district residents.&nbsp;</p><p>As Majority Leader, Nancy King helped lead the body that failed to take action. There were legal, procedural, and political concerns. Those concerns were real, but so was the moment to rise up and fight back.&nbsp;</p><p>Now, across the country, Republican states are already gearing up to take more control of our country. In Louisiana, leaders have taken steps to delay elections in order to redraw maps in light of this ruling with the goal of eliminating a majority-Black district.</p><p>Here in Maryland, we did not act when we had the opportunity.</p><p><strong>The consequences extend beyond state lines.</strong></p><p>If control of Congress remains unchanged, national policy on voting access, healthcare, education, and civil rights will increasingly be shaped by leaders who do not reflect Maryland’s&nbsp;priorities. Over time, that will change how Marylanders experience this country. The protections you rely on here may not follow you elsewhere.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We now face a choice.</strong></p><p>We can send Destiny Drake West to Annapolis—<strong>to serve as the first Black State Senator for District 39 in Maryland's history</strong>—someone who understands both the stakes and the responsibility of this moment.</p><p>Or we can continue with leadership that, when faced with uncertainty, chooses not to move. We all know, standing still in this political climate is not neutral. It is a decision that carries dangerous consequences for all Marylanders.</p><p></p>

SCOTUS Weakens Voting Rights—Nancy King Stands Still, Destiny Drake West Steps Up in District 39

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<h4>SCOTUS Weakens Voting Rights—Nancy King Stands Still, Destiny Drake West Steps Up in District 39</h4>

<span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/b7086786-5dc6-49d4-ac82-f085ca3d3478/b7086786-5dc6-49d4-ac82-f085ca3d3478.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C53%2C700%2C377&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>Germantown, MD — Democratic State Senate candidate Destiny Drake West is calling on faith leaders, civic organizations, fraternities, sororities, and community members across Montgomery County to mobilize in response to what she describes as a coordinated pattern of voter misinformation, candidate erasure, harassment, and intimidation during the District 39 State Senate race.</p><p>On Monday, concerns were raised with Black Greek-letter organizations throughout Montgomery County regarding incidents affecting the campaign. In response, fraternity and sorority leaders quickly organized discussions and outreach efforts aimed at protecting voter access and ensuring community awareness ahead of Election Day.</p><p>“At a moment when public trust in our elections is already under strain, voters deserve accurate information and fair representation,” said West. “What we are witnessing is not simply a campaign dispute. It raises serious concerns about whether every voter is being given a fair opportunity to make informed decisions.”</p><p>The concerns intensified after a political mailer authorized by incumbent Senator Nancy King was distributed throughout the community. The mailer was designed to resemble an official Montgomery County Democratic Party sample ballot and omitted West, the only Black woman running for State Senate in Montgomery County.</p><p>According to the campaign, many voters mistakenly believed the mailer was an official voter guide rather than campaign literature. The confusion became so widespread that the Montgomery County Democratic Party issued corrective communications and posted notices at polling locations to clarify the mailer’s origin.</p><p>“Thousands of voters received the mailer,” Drake West said. “While corrective actions were appreciated, many voters may never see those corrections. Voter misinformation has consequences.”</p><p>The campaign also reports multiple incidents involving volunteers who were allegedly followed, confronted, harassed, or intimidated while engaging voters throughout the district. Campaign officials state that one incident resulted in police involvement.</p><p>“These incidents send a troubling message,” West said. “When candidates can be excluded from communications that appear official and supporters face intimidation for participating in the democratic process, it discourages civic engagement and undermines public confidence.”</p><p>District 39 has never elected a Black State Senator. If elected, West would become the first Black State Senator in the district’s history and the only Black woman currently serving in Montgomery County’s state legislative delegation.</p><p>“This campaign has never been about making history for history’s sake,” West said. “It is about ensuring that every community has a voice, every voter is respected, and every candidate has a fair opportunity to be heard.”</p><h4>Community Call to Action</h4><p>The campaign is requesting immediate support in three areas:</p><ul><li><p>Voter Education — Help ensure voters receive accurate information about their choices before casting ballots.</p></li><li><p>Volunteer Mobilization — Assist with outreach efforts throughout the district.</p></li><li><p>Poll Coverage and Community Presence — Provide a visible, peaceful presence at polling locations through Election Day.</p></li></ul><p>“The strongest response to misinformation is truth,” West said. “The strongest response to intimidation is unity. And the strongest response to being counted out is for our community to stand together and say: Count Us In.”</p><p>For volunteer opportunities and additional information, community members are encouraged to contact the campaign directly.</p><p><br></p><p style="text-align: center;">###</p><p>Media Contact:<br>Destiny for the People Campaign<br><a href="mailto:vanessa@destinyforthepeople.com">vanessa@destinyforthepeople.com</a></p><p></p><h4><strong>About Destiny Drake West</strong></h4><span class="image image-framed image-left image-tilt-left" style="width: 40%;"><span class="image-inner-wrapper"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1afbe54c-69e1-4fdd-81eb-2790e9a4b8d6/20f59ae4-94da-49c6-97cf-ce98579eb545/20f59ae4-94da-49c6-97cf-ce98579eb545.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C5712%2C3812&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"></span><span class="caption" style="display: none;"></span></span><p>Destiny Drake West is a Democratic candidate for Maryland State Senate in District 39, representing Germantown, Montgomery Village, Clarksburg, Washington Grove, and portions of Gaithersburg. A working mother of five, military spouse, former federal employee (GS14), and experienced public policy leader, West is running on a vision to make Upcounty the easiest place in Maryland for families to build a great life.</p><p><strong><br></strong></p><p><br></p>

Destiny West’s Campaign Calls Out Voter Suppression, Candidate Erasure, & Harassment in Senate Race

<h4>Destiny West’s Campaign Calls Out Voter Suppression, Candidate Erasure, &amp; Harassment in Senate Race<br></h4>

<p>MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD - Destiny Drake West, a criminologist, longtime public servant, and working mother, today announced her candidacy for Maryland State Senate in District 39, releasing her official campaign announcement video alongside the launch.</p><p>West’s campaign is rooted in lived experience and professional leadership, shaped by growing up in a household that relied on public programs and strengthened by years spent working inside government to turn policy into action.</p><p>“I wasn’t born into power or privilege,” West said. “I was born into a system where the odds are set early, and too often stacked against working families. I know what it means when public systems work, and I know the harm when they don’t. That’s why I’m running.”</p><p>Raised by a young mother, West grew up relying on Medicaid, nutrition assistance, public housing, and public schools. As an adult, she went on to serve in senior federal roles, providing legislative, budgetary, and policy oversight for public investments focused on public health, affordable housing, and economic stability for families.</p><p>West also brings direct experience working in Annapolis. She began her public service as a Young Democrat, serving as National Committeewoman for the Young Democrats of Maryland, where she helped strengthen Democratic infrastructure and advocated for youth-centered policy priorities. She later served as a policy officer for then–Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and as legislative director for the Prince George’s County Senate delegation, helping advance state policy and budget priorities through the Maryland General Assembly.</p><p>West says those experiences give her a clear view of the challenges District 39 residents face today.</p><p>“After nearly two decades of the same representation, we owe it to ourselves to ask hard questions,” West said. “Are our neighborhoods stronger? Are small businesses thriving? Are families actually getting ahead? Because what I see is the cost of living rising while working households struggle just to keep up.”</p><p>She points to rising housing costs, disappearing grocery stores and pharmacies, and growing economic instability as warning signs that families are being pushed to the edge.</p><p>The candidate said her decision to run has been shaped by conversations with parents, small business owners, caregivers, and community leaders across District 39 who want leadership that is present, accessible, and rooted in the community.</p><p>“I’m running because this district deserves representation that reflects who we are and fights for who we can become,” West said. “Together, we can build a District 39 that works for our families and for future generations.”</p><p>The Democratic primary election is June 23, 2026.</p><p></p><p>Media Contact:<br>Alina Urena<br><a href="mailto:communications@destinyforthepeople.com">communications@destinyforthepeople.com</a></p><p></p><p><strong><br></strong></p>

<p>Destiny Drake West,<span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong> a criminologist, longtime public servant, and working mother,</strong></span> today announced her candidacy for Maryland State Senate in District 39, releasing her official campaign announcement video alongside the launch.</p>

<h4>Destiny Drake West Announces Candidacy for Maryland State Senate in District 39</h4>

<p><span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>Health systems shape long-term outcomes for children and families. </strong></span>At a time of increasing coverage disruptions and shifting federal responsibility, Maryland must protect affordable health care access, expand mental health services, and ensure continuity of care for children, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities.</p><p>Addressing workforce shortages is central to this effort. <span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>By expanding and diversifying the health workforce—including doctors, nurses, behavioral health providers, and community health professionals—we can reduce wait times, lower costs for taxpayers and providers, and improve health outcomes </strong></span>across our communities.</p>

<p>Transportation should help working households move efficiently through their day—not spend hours stuck in traffic. Families in Montgomery County need reliable options to get to work, school, and essential services.</p><p>Maryland should <span style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary);"><strong>prioritize modern, transit-forward solutions that move more people, reduce congestion, and strengthen connections across our region.</strong></span> That means investing in public transit, improving bus and rail service, and building safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists so families have more affordable and reliable ways to get around.</p>

<h2>Transportation & Mobility</h2>

Destiny Drake West is running for Maryland State Senate because working families in District 39 deserve representation that reflects who we are and who we can become.

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