By Alex Kellum
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Joshua Harris may have started his political career as a Democrat, but when the 29-year-old Baltimore resident decided to run for mayor this year, he turned to the Green Party.
Harris, who is facing off against three other Green candidates who are seeking the party’s mayoral nomination, said he is running on a platform that includes using clean energy and local production to create more jobs and opportunities for Baltimore residents.
He said he left the Democratic Party because he believes that the Greens are closer aligned with his own core values on social and economic issues.
“I believe the Green Party is a party of true progressive change and will provide options for people they might not know they had,” Harris said.
Harris, who made the shift in party official on Feb. 2, said his campaign for mayor is taking Baltimore into the 21st century.
His plans include reforming current housing, health, education and social justice, all of which he believes will help lower crime in the city.
“There are many ways I can better serve, but the ultimate goal is to make sure we are offering equal opportunity for every person in Baltimore,” Harris said.
Harris grew up in Chicago and later attended Augsburg College in Minnesota. While there, he became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which offers mentoring and scholarship opportunities to young African American men.
He also played college basketball at Augsburg. He said that being involved in sports was a big part of his life and made him realize the importance of parks and recreational services.
Harris also served as a legislative aide for Del. Charles E. Sydnor III, D-Baltimore County, assisting with the passage of police body camera programs.
Harris, a local resident since 2012, currently resides in southwest Baltimore. He is involved in community services such as the Charles Urban Renewal and Baltimore’s Promise Mentoring Task Force.
As co-founder of the Hollins Creative Placemaking, Harris believes in revitalizing the Baltimore community through arts and progressiveness.
“You know, my passion is really driven by empowering people,” Harris said. “Every day I wake up, I’m focused on how I can provide opportunity for people.”
Harris said that the biggest issue in Baltimore is the distribution of capital. By reinvesting into the people, he said, Baltimore will be able to move forward.
“It’s the people who make the city great, so it’s time we invest in those people,” Harris said.
Andy Ellis, co-chair of the Baltimore Greens, said his party can bring modern policy solutions to the city. Ellis said that Baltimore has been a one-party city for too long, adding that the Green Party is looking to become a big name in Baltimore politics this election year.
“For too long Baltimore has been a one-party city,” Ellis said. “Real democracies have multiple viable parties. The Greens will become Baltimore’s second party in 2016.”
That may be a tall order. According to the state Board of Elections, there are 1,189 registered Greens in Baltimore compared to 284,730 Democrats and 29,293 Republicans.
Harris said he is looking to increase the size of the party through education and community involvement.
“After they take a look, they appreciate [the party] and get excited about it,” Harris said.
Andy Pierre, the Harris For Baltimore campaign manager, said that Harris is in the race to help the people of Baltimore.
“Harris would be a good leader because it’s not about him,” Pierre said. “There are problems in the city that need to be addressed by people who care.”