(BALTIMORE – May 19, 2026) – Ashley “Ash” Esposito, candidate for re-election to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, announced today that she will not participate in coverage by Fox45 News, Project Baltimore, or Sinclair Broadcast Group-affiliated platforms during the current school board race.
Esposito said the decision stems from concerns about what she described as the outlet’s political alignment and the impact persistent negative narratives have on Baltimore City students and families.
“I participated in Fox45’s coverage in my first race and have been interviewed by them since. Seeing behind the curtain has been eye-opening,” Esposito said. “This is not about avoiding accountability. This is about refusing to participate in a reductive narrative that has consistently chosen a singular story about our city and our schools over the complex, full, and human truth.”
According to Esposito, her concerns are rooted in both personal experience and broader political dynamics involving Sinclair Broadcast Group, the parent company of Fox45. She referenced her opposition to Question H, a 2024 Baltimore City ballot initiative that sought to reduce the size of the Baltimore City Council.
Esposito noted that she was active in the community effort opposing the measure, which she said was supported by Sinclair-linked operatives.
“The community said no,” she stated.
She also pointed to what she characterized as troubling patterns in prior Project Baltimore coverage, specifically referencing a previous school board questionnaire that requested yes-or-no responses to issues such as arming school police, critical race theory, and grade-changing investigations.
“That format was not designed to produce understanding,” Esposito said, noting that candidates collectively challenged the approach at the time.
Rather than participate in Fox45 coverage this election cycle, Esposito said she intends to focus her campaign outreach on Baltimore-based journalists, educators, organizers, podcasters, and community leaders.
“Baltimore City is full of journalists, educators, parents, organizers, podcasters, and community leaders who have been telling the truth and leading authentic accountability conversations about this city for years,” she said. “There is no shortage of people in Baltimore doing the real work of honest storytelling and holding us accountable. I am going to direct my energy toward them.”
Esposito also emphasized the emotional and psychological impact media narratives can have on Baltimore City students.
Her son attends Baltimore City Public Schools, and she said conversations with students helped shape her decision.
“Students have told me how it feels to hear their city described the way it is described,” Esposito said. “They deserve adults in their corner who will not participate in something that diminishes them, even when it would be more convenient to go along.”
She highlighted several recent student accomplishments, including Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School’s robotics team becoming the first Baltimore City Public Schools team to win a judged award at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, as well as Baltimore City College students winning a policy debate competition.
Esposito encouraged voters seeking information about her candidacy to visit her campaign website or engage with local and student-led media covering the race.
Ashley “Ash” Esposito currently serves on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners as Chair of the Policy Committee and was the first mother elected at-large to the Board. She is seeking re-election in the June 23, 2026 election.
For more information, visit Ashley Esposito Campaign Website.
