Maryland
Is the Tawes crab feast losing its luster? – Maryland Matters
Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) flocked with their entourages to the southernmost town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore Wednesday for a cherished ritual of state politics, the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield.
The nominees for U.S. Senate said they wouldn’t have missed it.
“I come here every year,” Alsobrooks said. “It’s just the time for Marylanders to come together from everywhere. It’s a bonding experience where we gather for crabs and conversation.”
Hogan, the two-term governor and candidate, has attended the event since he worked on his father’s congressional campaigns. The trip is as much political muscle memory as it is about campaigning.
“It’s just a great place to be,” said Hogan. “It’s sort of like the Super Bowl of politicking. There’s just wonderful people on the Shore and from all over the state. And it’s just a tradition. That’s what I like about it.
“But I’m not sure if people are winning votes here actually. It’s just a great time to bring people together and to bring some attention and some money to the Shore,” he said.
What did the two candidates encounter on a mild but drizzly autumn day?
Hogan was trolled by members of AFSCME, a state employees union that frequently butted heads with the former governor. Union members carried red placards reading “Larry Hogan stole my wages”— a reference to recently settled cases with the U.S. Department of Labor to settle millions of dollars in overtime wage theft claims.
Another group — sent by the Maryland Democratic Party — dressed as judges and carried signs quoting Hogan praising former President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court picks. The signs also attempted to tie Hogan to the 2022 Supreme Court ruling curtailing abortion rights.
Tawes has rarely, if ever, been host to such political counter-programming.
“It was kind of ridiculous,” said Hogan. “It’s the typical toxic politics that everybody’s sick and tired of, and quite frankly, it’s embarrassing for them to do it.”
But Alsobrooks, asked about a new attack ad that a political action committee aligned with Hogan began airing about her on radio Wednesday, also dismissed political attacks.
“The MAGA Republicans have put $18 million in to try to help their friend,” she said of the ad, which references a recent report that Alsobrooks took property tax credits she wasn’t entitled to.
‘It’s the place to be’
Hundreds of members of the state’s political tribe were gathered at the Somers Cove Marina for the annual event, along with civic leaders from the Lower Shore. Hundreds of everyday citizens were also there, enjoying a midweek respite, with all the seafood, beer and soda they could consume for their $75 ticket – 67% more than in 2017.
But the crowd size seemed way down from previous years, begging the question of whether the Tawes crab feast is still the must-do event for Maryland’s political class — not to mention for seafood lovers — that it once was.
“If you love Maryland politics, it’s the place to be,” said Paul Ellington, a Republican strategist.
“It’s a cool location,” he said. “The Lower Shore is beautiful. This is our political hotbed. It’s political nirvana. It’s political mecca, one day out of the year.”
And Ellington has made the pilgrimage many times over the last three decades.
But he acknowledged a change.
“I think it had its heyday, if you will, probably 10 years ago,” Ellington said.
Privately, other longtime attendees were more pointed. One questioned if the event Wednesday marked a turning point for the political relevance of the event. The crowds are down, the “vibe is off,” said one attendee.
The lighter-than-usual crowds at the food stalls mirrored what was going on in the private tents.
Annapolis lobbyist Bruce Bereano has a tent that rivals a circus big top. The power lobbyist begins sending updates on the event in February.
Inside, new-era pols break crabs with veterans and former elected officials of days gone by. The tent is typically packed with people shoulder to shoulder as they navigate tables. This year the traffic in the tent wasn’t nearly so congested.
It is too soon to write a political obituary for the crab feast. Some regulars believe the event has been hamstrung by external forces — weather and the pandemic and the economy — but will regain its footing.
“Don’t all things like this, ebb and flow and wax and wane?” asked Gene Ransom, CEO of MedChi, The Medical Society of Maryland, and a former Queen Anne’s County commissioner. “I mean, it looks like it’s a pretty good crowd. I’ve seen a lot of people running for office here.”
Now 47 years old, the crab feast, named for a former governor and state comptroller who hailed from Crisfield, has for decades been a popular destination for political leaders — especially in election years — and regular folks. But events have changed Tawes in countless ways recently.
Until 2021, the crab feast was a mid-summer event, and beastly hot. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor, moved it to early autumn.
While this decision made the experience more comfortable for festivalgoers, it may have also cut the crowd size, because it’s often easier to take time off during the summer than it is in the fall.
“I think when they moved it after COVID, you lost some people,” Ellington said. “If anything, you lost a lot of the casual attendees — the people that could take time out of their summer and it was worth the trip to them.”
The state’s political calendar also changed a few election cycles ago. When the state had a September primary, several candidates from both parties would come to Crisfield in July to press the flesh. But now primaries take place in early summer in gubernatorial election years, so there would be fewer statewide candidates on hand by the time the crab feast rolled around.
Post-pandemic habits and inflation may also be playing a role for the deflated crowd size. The cost of a crab feast ticket in 2017 was $45, compared to $75 now. And while many politicians still come to Tawes, they don’t circulate around the marina grounds as much as they once did.
For politicians, Bereano’s tent has over the past several years become the focal point of the crab feast. Politicians and their guests gather there to socialize and get access to special food and drinks not available to average festivalgoers, often delivered by young runners who Bereano hires from the Crisfield area.
As a result, the pols are not moving around the marina grounds as much as they did in years past — and this year more than two dozen interest groups, from area colleges and businesses to political organizations and local governments had tents of their own, far smaller than Bereano’s.
Politics have also changed.
“Now, back in the day before we were so polarized, everybody would come here to campaign,” said Ransom. “The world has changed. I don’t know what that means for Tawes in the long run, because this part of the state is very red. The rest of the state is blue. It makes you wonder how sustainable all of this is in the long run.”
‘Politics is all about relationships, right?’
And yet, they come, political leaders from all over the state, some driving as much as five hours each way, to mostly spend time in Bereano’s tent, to reconnect and gossip with colleagues and operatives.
“It’s a great opportunity to see a lot of friends,” said Baltimore County Councilmember Julian Jones (D), who was wearing an Alsobrooks T-shirt. “I know where they’ll be. It’s good to take a day off.”
Del. Jon S. Cardin (D-Baltimore County) said he likes to come to Crisfield “to connect with people who are politically inclined.”
“It’s great to see what the pulse is around the state,” he said. “Good food, good friends. Coming here is always a happy occasion.”
Other Baltimore-area leaders said they were there to network.
Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, was there squiring Andrew Cushnir, the new president and CEO of The Associated Baltimore Jewish Federation, to connect with elected officials who aren’t from the Baltimore area. Representatives of Shomrim of Baltimore, a Jewish volunteer neighborhood watch agency, were on hand to talk public safety issues with state leaders.
“I look forward to it all year,” said Tzvi Skaist, an EMT and director of operations for the group.
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly (R) said sharing a beer in Crisfield can pay political dividends in the future.
“Let’s face it, politics is all about relationships, right?” he said. “It’s an opportunity to build those essential relationships that you need. So when you see someone the next time, it’s friendly.”
Sen. Mike McKay (R-Allegany) may have had the longest trip, five hours one way — “a long way to come for crabs when crabs are delivered to Allegany County,” he said.
“The reason that I do come — and I don’t want to call it the mecca of political events — is that the interim is so important for relationships. That’s my biggest thing. So I can at least say hello to a chairman of a committee,” he said.
“I was just talking to the Comptroller [Brooke Lierman],” McKay said. “Really, if I get 5 seconds with 15 people, I will say that it’s worth the 9 1/2-hour round trip that I will take for spending three hours here.”
Del. Kym Taylor (D-Prince George’s) gestured to the clutches of Hogan and Alsobrooks volunteers waiting for their candidates to arrive and declared the scene “so cool.”
“It’s a chance to see both political factions,” she said. “This is democracy in action.”
Lower Shore officials believe the visits from their counterparts across the state are invaluable.
“The fact that they would make the effort to come all the way to Crisfield speaks for itself,” said state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore), whose district includes Crisfield. “This is a can’t-miss event. The fact that a can’t-miss event is in Crisfield is a real honor.”
Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor told Maryland Matters last year that she was sorry more of the crab feast visitors didn’t spend extra time seeing the rest of the town. But Carozza, who had a tent of her own at the crab feast across from Bereano’s, said she could still talk to colleagues about the town’s needs and make funding and policy requests during legislative sessions.
“It’s an opportunity when they come by, I can talk about all the efforts to improve our communities,” she said. “This event keeps our priorities front and center with them.”
When Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D), standing in for Gov. Wes Moore (D – who was in Annapolis meeting with the king of Jordan – greeted Carozza and the delegates from District 38, a heckler yelled, “Does she even know where the Eastern Shore is?”
But Carozza wouldn’t acknowledge the critic.
“I thanked [Miller] for taking the time and effort to make the trip,” she said.
Gov. Wes Moore has requested a federal disaster declaration to help farmers recover from their losses after temperatures dipped into the 20s in April, devastating some of Maryland’s agriculture industry.
Temperatures dipped into the low to mid 20s for several hours, causing widespread damage to crops, wine grapes, berries, peaches and apples in some parts of the state.
“We had 6, 7 hours I believe here under 32 and that’s just a lot of stress on those small fruits and buds,” said Ben Butler, the farm manager of Butler’s Orchard in Germantown back in April.
Moore asked for the U.S. agriculture secretary to declare a federal disaster using Maryland Farm Service Agency data to back up the request. According to the agency, there were historic losses, including 94% of the apple crop, 99% of the peach crop and 98% of the barley in several jurisdictions.
The Maryland Wineries Association says 36% of grape acreage sustained total losses, with a $24.4 million projected deficit in wine sales for the 2026 vintage.
“For the majority of the varieties, the yield, the 2026 crop yield, will essentially be zero,” said Robert Butz, the owner of Windridge Vineyards.
The hours-long deep freeze in April left grapes at Windridge Vineyards in Germantown dead on the vine.
News4 visited Windridge Vineyards just a few days after the disaster. Butz said not only were there grape losses, some of the vines were damaged as well. He called the devastation “catastrophic.”
It’s challenging, but he said he’s pleased with the support being given to local farmers and the disaster declaration request.
“This announcement by the governor is further evidence of that, right,” Butz said. “Marylanders care about their farmers. That’s great.It’s incredibly gratifying for those who do this work.”
Moore is asking the agriculture secretary for a quick decision so emergency loans and relief programs are made available right away so farmers can prepare for the next growing season.
Maryland
Anne Arundel County Executive Democratic candidates make their case ahead of Maryland primary
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. — Five candidates are running to replace Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, with four Democrats competing for their party’s nomination ahead of the Maryland primary.
Republican Dave Crawford is the only candidate on the GOP side, meaning he automatically advances from the primary. Democratic voters, however, face a choice between four candidates: county council members Allison Pickard and Pete Smith, Pittman administration Special Assistant James Kitchin, and city and regional planner Kyle Nembhard.
Pickard is serving her second term as councilwoman for the Second District.
Anne Arundel County executive democratic candidates make their case ahead of Maryland primary
Anne Arundel County executive race heats up ahead of Maryland primary
“I’m excited to move forward into the executive branch where we really get to execute and implement, uh, all of the policies that we’ve put forth,” Pickard said.
Smith has served on the county council for 14 years on and off.
“You will see that there is a crystal clear option in this race, uh, when you look at our resume when you judge me on my report card, you will see that I’ve been doing my homework for this county for the last 14 years,” Smith said.
Kitchin has served as special assistant in the Pittman administration for the past 7 years.
“I have the most relevant experience and I am the most ready on day one to come in and create a smooth transition from the Pittman administration into the next 4 years,” Kitchin said.
Nembhard has worked as a city and regional planner in the transportation field since 2002.
“I am literally an average citizen, like the majority of, of folks in Anne Arundel County, actually all the folks in Anne Arundel County. Um, who just like them, feel like their voices aren’t heard,” Nembhard said.
Where the candidates agree — and differ
All 4 Democratic candidates share similar positions on many of the county’s major issues, including housing affordability, public safety, mental health services, and education funding. Their approaches, however, differ.
On housing, Pickard emphasizes supply and transit-oriented development.
“I’ve been wholly focused on redevelopment and transit oriented development, which is exciting about creating cool spaces, uh, around our Mark station. Or our light rail stations so that maybe we’ll attract those younger folks who want to have walkable communities and really neat spaces — and be closer to where they work,” Pickard said.
All 4 candidates support increasing public safety staffing. Smith pointed to specific numbers to illustrate the strain on current personnel.
“In fact, on the police side of the house we’re about 809 positions. The reality is 1200 is where we should be at with this current population here in Anne Arundel County. We got about 850 to 900, uh, fire department personnel, uh, who are answering well over 100,000 calls every single year. That’s significant,” Smith said.
All 4 candidates also support funding mental health services and violence interruption programs. Both Nembhard and Smith expressed a personal connection to the issue and called for more community policing. Nembhard described the impact of officers who knew their neighborhoods.
“Where I grew up we were fortunate, I don’t know if that was by design or by chance, but like me and my friends, we knew the folks who, you know, walked the beat in our neighborhood. So, that intimate knowledge, that integration can make the difference between a good student who’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time getting shot,” Nembhard said.
On education, all 4 candidates support maintaining funding growth for county schools. Kitchin is the only candidate in the race endorsed by the teachers union.
“Like I’m a pro-education candidate, um, come from a pro-education family, and that didn’t change because I got their endorsement,” Kitchin said.
Public financing
Anne Arundel County has a public financing system for campaigns. Kitchin is the only candidate in this race using it.
“I’m not taking any corporate money, any PAC money, no developer money. I’m also not taking any union money,” Kitchin said.
All 4 candidates support the public financing system and said they would like to see more political candidates use it in the future.
Why vote for me?
With so much common ground among the candidates, voters may find it difficult to choose. Each candidate made their case.
Kitchin pointed to his experience inside the current administration.
“I have the most relevant experience and I am the most ready on day one to come in and create a smooth transition from the Pittman administration into the next 4 years,” Kitchin said.
Nembhard framed his candidacy around his connection to everyday residents.
“I don’t see voters. I see my neighbors, I see friends, I see family, the same people that I’m in the trenches all the time, all day, going to county council meetings and speaking up on their behalf and fighting to be heard, you know, like just, just to be heard, to have a seat at the table,” Nembhard said.
Pickard highlighted the support she has built across the county.
“I’m really proud of the coalition I’ve built, and I feel like it’s a real testament to my track record of getting results for our community,” Pickard said.
Smith pointed to his long record of service.
“You will see that there is a crystal clear option in this race, uh, when you look at our resume when you judge me on my report card, you will see that I’ve been doing my homework for this county for the last 14 years,” Smith said.
Early voting begins June 11. The Maryland primary is June 23. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face Crawford in the November general election.
JAMES KITCHIN
Full interview with Anne Arundel County Executive candidate James Kitchin
Meet the candidates for Anne Arundel County Executive: James Kitchin
Key Campaign Message:
Kitchin positions himself as the candidate of government reform and transparency, emphasizing his unique use of the county’s new public financing system. As the only candidate refusing corporate, developer, PAC, and union money, he frames his campaign around eliminating special interest influence in county government.
Core Qualifications:
- Executive Experience: Seven-plus years in the Pittman administration, including roles in budget, legislative affairs, and communications
- Education Background: Former teacher and current spouse of a 4th-grade teacher
- “Ready on Day One”: Claims unique preparation for executive role through administrative experience
Policy Priorities:
- Housing: Rejects “supply-side” approach, insists on building specifically affordable units rather than hoping market-rate construction reduces costs
- Education: Strongly supports record $72.8 million education increase; endorsed by Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County
- Environment: Proposes “no net loss of forest” program and opposes one-size-fits-all bulk regulations
- Immigration: Strongest advocate for expanding Family Protection Initiative
Notable Positions:
- Only candidate using public financing system
- Most detailed critique of supply-side housing theory
- Emphasizes upstream public safety investments over enforcement-only approach
- Supports using rainy day fund to address potential federal cuts
KYLE NEMBHARD
Full interview with Anne Arundel County Executive candidate Kyle Nembhard
Meet the candidates for Anne Arundel County Executive: Kyle Nembhard
Key Campaign Message:
Nembhard presents himself as the “average citizen” candidate bringing fresh perspective and community empowerment to county government. He emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and reducing barriers between government and residents.
Core Qualifications:
- Professional Background: City and regional planner with development experience
- Community Advocacy: Extensive volunteer work and community organizing
- Outsider Status: Only candidate without prior elected office experience
Policy Priorities:
- Housing: Supports increased supply but emphasizes affordable units near transit corridors to reduce car dependency
- Education: Advocates for maximum 20 students per classroom; child of union member though not endorsed by teachers
- Transportation: Strong focus on transit-oriented development and reducing car dependency
- Public Safety: Emphasizes community integration of law enforcement, drawing from personal positive police relationships
Notable Positions:
- Late entry candidate who couldn’t access public financing due to timing
- Most detailed focus on transit and transportation solutions
- Unique emphasis on empowering communities through government transparency
- Economic argument for protecting immigrant workers
PETE SMITH
Full interview with Anne Arundel County Executive candidate Pete Smith
Meet the candidates for Anne Arundel County Executive: Pete Smith
Key Campaign Message:
Smith emphasizes his proven track record and deep institutional knowledge, positioning himself as the candidate who has “done the homework” through 14 years of council service and 28 years of military experience.
Core Qualifications:
- Legislative Experience: 14 years on county council (with breaks), including budget committee work
- Military Service: 28 years as Marine, including overseas deployments
- Institutional Knowledge: Claims deepest understanding of county operations and needs
Policy Priorities:
- Public Safety: Most specific staffing targets – wants 1,200 police officers (currently ~809) and 1,200-1,300 firefighters (currently 850-900)
- Housing: Supports county “driving the train” rather than leaving to market; backs cottage home bill creating $200k homes
- Economic Development: Strong emphasis on P3 partnerships and reducing federal dependency
- Education: Detailed history supporting education funding since 2012, including Blueprint implementation
Notable Positions:
- Most specific public safety staffing numbers
- Created stormwater remediation fund
- Personal story about police officer saving his life
- Opposes 287G immigration enforcement based on experience and human dignity
ALLISON PICKARD
Full interview with Anne Arundel County Executive candidate Allison Pickard
Meet the candidates for Anne Arundel County Executive: Allison Pickard
Key Campaign Message:
Pickard presents herself as the “successful legislator” who gets things done through coalition building and bipartisan cooperation. She emphasizes governing as a “team sport” and her proven ability to pass significant legislation.
Core Qualifications:
- Legislative Track Record: Two terms on county council with major bill passage
- Education Experience: Former Board of Education member during significant reforms
- Coalition Building: Emphasizes bringing together labor and private sector supporters
Policy Priorities:
- Housing: Strong “supply-side” advocate supporting zoning changes, transit-oriented development, and smaller lot sizes to increase overall housing stock
- Environment: Proudest of creating Resilience Authority and securing federal partnerships
- Education: Former Board of Education member supporting teacher pay increases and continued funding growth
- Federal Relations: Strongest emphasis on leveraging federal partnerships and funding
Notable Positions:
- Most detailed legislative accomplishments (Resilience Authority, education reforms)
- Strongest advocate for market-based housing solutions
- Helped create public financing system but chose traditional fundraising route
- Most experience with federal grant acquisition and partnerships
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Refreshing and dry weekend weather in Maryland
Plunging humidity levels and dry weather will be around through the rest of the workweek. Highs Thursday and Friday will top out in the upper 70s with a mixture of clouds and sunshine.
This-coming weekend is looking much drier and better for all outdoor plans across the Mid-Atlantic, compared to Memorial Day Weekend. The First Alert Forecast is mostly dry and seasonable on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Plan on a mix of sun and clouds each day. Saturday and Sunday begin with temperatures in the 50s, followed by afternoons spent in the 70s. Humidity remains low, too.
The chance of rain increases a bit during the beginning of next workweek. The next chance of wetter wet arrives on Monday. The WJZ First Alert Weather Team will be fine-tuning the return of rain in the forecast… keeping you updated on WJZ, streaming on CBS News Baltimore and on-the-go in the CBS News App.
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