🎆 What the 4th of July Really Looks Like When You're Running for Office in Baltimore County

By Barry O’Connell | The Maryland Wire

Photo by Paul Morley on Unsplash

For most folks, the Fourth of July means folding chairs on the curb, paper fans in hand, kids scrambling for candy, and flags waving to the rhythm of a high school marching band.

But if you’re running for office in Baltimore County, especially as a Democrat, Independence Day is less about cookouts and more like a political triathlon with no water breaks.

This year’s Towson Fourth of July Parade, in its impressive 120TH YEAR, was a centerpiece of the day. As ever, the parade drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, with families braving the heat to cheer for marching bands, antique cars, and floats. But the crowd wasn’t the only thing that was hot, so was the political visibility.

Councilman Julian Jones Jr., Delegate Nick Stewart, Senator Chris West, and District 2 councilman Ishe Patoka were all spotted making their way down the parade route. They weren’t just walking, they were working. Smiles, handshakes, and steady eye contact. Every wave is a potential vote.

Notably ABSENT was Delegate Patrick Young, whose team has yet to confirm whether he made an appearance. It’s worth noting, because in a quiet election year like this one, parade presence matters. Visibility equals viability.

To get a true sense of what it means to “work the Fourth,” take a look at Julian Jones Jr.’s brutal schedule for the day. Here’s what he sent me, and it reads more like a Navy SEAL op than a holiday:

• Dundalk Parade Arrive 7:15 AM | Kickoff 8:15 AM

• Towson Parade Arrive 10:00 AM | Kickoff 10:30 AM

• Arbutus Parade Arrive 11:45 AM | Kickoff 12:30 PM

• Catonsville Parade Arrive 2:15 PM | Kickoff 3:00 PM

And then because apparently four parades isn’t enough, he attended the Fullerton fireworks to close out the evening. (Nick Stewart did as well. Not sure of the others.)

Julian started at 5:00 AM and didn’t stop until 10:00 PM. That’s a 17-hour day spent entirely in public view, moving from one crowd to another, often changing shirts in the car to look fresh, keeping up energy levels in 90+ degree weather, and shaking thousands of hands. And guess what? He’ll probably do it again next year.

In Baltimore County, there are FOUR BIG PARADES on the Fourth that serious candidates show up for: Dundalk, Towson, Arbutus, and Catonsville. Miss one, and you better have a good excuse. Miss two? You’re handing your opponent the narrative.

So while most people are watching fireworks, candidates are WORKING THE GROUND, one sweaty handshake at a time. If you're not hoofing it in parades, you're not really running.

The Fourth of July isn't just a celebration, it's a proving ground.