(BALTIMORE COUNTY – April 22, 2026) — What was done to Julian Jones should concern every serious person in this race.
A digitally altered image, crafted to provoke fear within the Jewish community while distorting the identity of the first Black candidate for Baltimore County Executive, is not politics. It is not strategy.
It is a deliberate act of division.
Whoever is responsible understood exactly what they were doing. They attempted to inject one of the most emotionally charged conflicts in the world into a local race — not to inform voters, but to manipulate them.
That is unacceptable.
For generations, Black and Jewish communities across Greater Baltimore have shared a relationship rooted in both struggle and progress. Imperfect at times, yes — but real, and hard-earned. That history should not be exploited by anonymous actors seeking political advantage.
Jones addressed the incident directly:
“I am disturbed to learn that opponents of my campaign circulated a digitally altered image of me in the hopes of exploiting the deep concerns about the safety and security of the Jewish community amid a time of rising antisemitism.
At a time when people are rightly concerned about rising bigotry and political violence, this kind of conduct is deeply irresponsible.
Our next County Executive must take seriously the responsibility of addressing rising antisemitism. Each of the candidates competing for the position should conduct their campaigns on the issues rather than deploy divisive tactics that exploit genuine fears in the Jewish community.
I call on my competitors to condemn these tactics. A failure to do so is far beneath the office they serve and disqualifying for the office they seek.”
It was a measured response — firm in its condemnation, but focused on the broader responsibility of leadership.
And let’s be equally clear: we do not know who did this.
It could have come from anywhere — outside the Black community, outside the Jewish community, or outside any official campaign altogether. That ambiguity is not incidental. It is the strategy. Confuse the source, inflame the reaction, and let communities fracture on their own.
We will not participate in that.
To the Black community: do not allow yourself to be baited by imagery designed to provoke rather than inform.
To the Jewish community: this tactic does not reflect Black leadership, Black voters, or Black values. It reflects a willingness — by someone — to exploit legitimate concerns about antisemitism for political gain.
And to every candidate in this race: this is a moment that requires clarity.
Not later. Now.
Regardless of fundraising totals, political standing, or campaign position, each candidate should state plainly that this kind of conduct — whether from a campaign, a supporter, or anyone acting in their name — has no place in Baltimore County politics.
Because leadership is not measured solely by resources or reach.
It is measured by what you are willing to stand against.
Baltimore County deserves a campaign centered on ideas, governance, and the future of its communities — not one derailed by anonymous smear tactics and calculated provocation.
The choice before us is not complicated.
We can allow shadow politics to define this moment.
Or we can reject it — completely.
