People Over Profitis
A Fight for District 2
A Fight for District 2
Leadership shaped by experience, service, accountability, and the belief that government must put people over profits.

People Over Profits
A Fight for District 2
Leadership shaped by experience, service, accountability, and the belief that government must put people over profits.


A Life Shaped by Second Chances
A Life Shaped by Second Chances
A Life Shaped by Second Chances
My name is Eric Van Buren. I am not running for office because politics was the next step in my career. I am running because I have lived through the consequences of broken systems, transformed my own life, and dedicated myself to helping other people rebuild theirs.
My name is Eric Van Buren. I am not running for office because politics was the next step in my career. I am running because I have lived through the consequences of broken systems, transformed my own life, and dedicated myself to helping other people rebuild theirs.
My name is Eric Van Buren. I am not running for office because politics was the next step in my career. I am running because I have lived through the consequences of broken systems, transformed my own life, and dedicated myself to helping other people rebuild theirs.
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I spent nearly two decades incarcerated. During that time, I accepted responsibility for my choices and made a decision that my past would not determine the rest of my life. I became a certified paralegal, certified mediator, cognitive behavioral therapist, facilitator, author, and advocate for people who had been counted out.
I spent nearly two decades incarcerated. During that time, I accepted responsibility for my choices and made a decision that my past would not determine the rest of my life. I became a certified paralegal, certified mediator, cognitive behavioral therapist, facilitator, author, and advocate for people who had been counted out.
I spent nearly two decades incarcerated. During that time, I accepted responsibility for my choices and made a decision that my past would not determine the rest of my life. I became a certified paralegal, certified mediator, cognitive behavioral therapist, facilitator, author, and advocate for people who had been counted out.
Since returning home, I have continued serving others through legal advocacy, reentry work, mediation, mentoring, and community service. As the founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation, I have worked to help individuals and families navigate systems that too often leave ordinary people without information, representation, or hope.
Since returning home, I have continued serving others through legal advocacy, reentry work, mediation, mentoring, and community service. As the founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation, I have worked to help individuals and families navigate systems that too often leave ordinary people without information, representation, or hope.
Since returning home, I have continued serving others through legal advocacy, reentry work, mediation, mentoring, and community service. As the founder of The Art of Winning Litigation Foundation, I have worked to help individuals and families navigate systems that too often leave ordinary people without information, representation, or hope.
My life has taught me that redemption requires accountability, opportunity, and work. It has also taught me that government should never write people or communities off.
My life has taught me that redemption requires accountability, opportunity, and work. It has also taught me that government should never write people or communities off.
My life has taught me that redemption requires accountability, opportunity, and work. It has also taught me that government should never write people or communities off.
I am running for the Maryland State Senate because District 2 deserves leadership that listens, tells the truth, keeps its word, and produces results people can see and feel.
I am running for the Maryland State Senate because District 2 deserves leadership that listens, tells the truth, keeps its word, and produces results people can see and feel.
I am running for the Maryland State Senate because District 2 deserves leadership that listens, tells the truth, keeps its word, and produces results people can see and feel.
People Over Profits
People Over Profits
People Over Profits
For too long, government decisions have been shaped by political connections, powerful interests, and profit instead of the needs of the people who live here.
For too long, government decisions have been shaped by political connections, powerful interests, and profit instead of the needs of the people who live here.
This campaign is about changing that.
This campaign is about changing that.
People Over Profits means protecting working families from rising costs, investing in our children, supporting local businesses and farms, strengthening public safety, defending constitutional rights, and making government answer to the people it serves.
People Over Profits means protecting working families from rising costs, investing in our children, supporting local businesses and farms, strengthening public safety, defending constitutional rights, and making government answer to the people it serves.
I will work with Democrats, Republicans, independents, and anyone willing to put practical solutions ahead of political division. This race is not about building one person’s political career. It is about building a stronger future for the people of District 2.
I will work with Democrats, Republicans, independents, and anyone willing to put practical solutions ahead of political division. This race is not about building one person’s political career. It is about building a stronger future for the people of District 2.
This campaign belongs to the people.
This campaign belongs to the people.
WHAT ERIC BELIEVES
What I Will Fight For
Affordability and Economic Fairness
Working families should not have to choose between utilities, housing, childcare, healthcare, and groceries. I will fight for utility relief, responsible tax policy, affordable housing, stronger wages, and investments that lower the everyday cost of living.
Community-Based Public Safety
I support law enforcement, constitutional policing, and consequences for violent crime. I also support prevention through mental-health services, addiction treatment, youth mentorship, reentry support, and a community CARE Unit that helps address crises before they become tragedies.
Strong Schools and Opportunities for Young People
Our teachers, paraprofessionals, and school employees deserve competitive pay and real support. Our young people deserve safe schools, career training, recreation, mentorship, and a genuine pathway to a successful future.
Local Jobs, Energy and Infrastructure
Public investments should create local jobs, reduce utility costs, improve roads and transportation, modernize infrastructure, and prepare residents for careers in energy, construction, technology, and skilled trades.
Responsible Growth and Rural Protection
Growth must respect existing communities. I will defend local water, farmland, property values, rural identity, emergency services, and the right of residents to receive honest information before major development decisions are made.
Accountable Government
Government must be transparent about how decisions are made and how public money is spent. I will use legislation, budget authority, oversight, and public accountability to make sure promises made to District 2 become promises kept.
Leadership Begins by Listening
Leadership Begins by Listening
Leadership Begins by Listening
Too many residents feel that decisions are made before they are invited into the room. I believe the people affected by a decision deserve a meaningful voice in that decision.
Too many residents feel that decisions are made before they are invited into the room. I believe the people affected by a decision deserve a meaningful voice in that decision.
Too many residents feel that decisions are made before they are invited into the room. I believe the people affected by a decision deserve a meaningful voice in that decision.
I will hold regular community listening sessions, remain accessible throughout the district, explain my votes, and report back to residents about what was accomplished. Public service should not disappear between elections.
“Democracy only works when people participate—and leadership only works when people are heard.”
“Democracy only works when people participate—and leadership only works when people are heard.”
— Eric Van Buren
— Eric Van Buren
— Eric Van Buren


Accountable Populism
Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.
Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.
It rejects the idea that residents must choose between compassion and accountability, public safety and prevention, or economic growth and protection of their communities. We can demand both responsibility and opportunity—and we can judge government by whether its policies actually improve people’s lives.
Bigger Than One Person
Accountable
Populism
I will hold regular community listening sessions, remain accessible throughout the district, explain my votes, and report back to residents about what was accomplished. Public service should not disappear between elections.
Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.
Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.Accountable Populism is the belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, demand responsibility, and produce measurable results for ordinary people.
It rejects the idea that residents must choose between compassion and accountability, public safety and prevention, or economic growth and protection of their communities. We can demand both responsibility and opportunity—and we can judge government by whether its policies actually improve people’s lives.
The supporters of this campaign are BELIEVERS because they believe leadership can be honest, government can be accountable, and the people of District 2 can build something better together.
BELIEVE means:
Build leadership that keeps its word.
Expand opportunity, not fear.
Listen to people who have been ignored or counted out.
Invest in children, working families, and local communities.
Ensure accountability throughout government.
Value every voice and every vote.
Empower residents to help lead the future of their communities.
We are not waiting for change. We are organizing to create it.
A New Voice for District 2
Eric Van Buren is the Democratic nominee for Maryland State Senate in District 2. If elected, he would become the first Black man to hold this Senate seat representing Washington County.
But this campaign is not asking people to vote for history alone. It is asking them to vote for accessible leadership, practical solutions, independent judgment, and a senator who understands what it means to be counted out—and what becomes possible when people are given a real opportunity.

Help Us Put People Over Profits
Real change requires more than one candidate. It requires residents who are willing to vote, volunteer, contribute, share information, and help their neighbors participate.
Every door knocked, every phone call made, every post shared, and every donation received moves District 2 one step closer to leadership that answers to the people.
67 : 20 : 28 : 58
Bigger Than One Person
The supporters of this campaign are BELIEVERS because they believe leadership can be honest, government can be accountable, and the people of District 2 can build something better together.
BELIEVE means:
Build leadership that keeps its word.
Expand opportunity, not fear.
Listen to people who have been ignored or counted out.
Invest in children, working families, and local communities.
Ensure accountability throughout government.
Value every voice and every vote.
Empower residents to help lead the future of their communities.
We are not waiting for change. We are organizing to create it.
Help Us Put People Over Profits
Real change requires more than one candidate. It requires residents who are willing to vote, volunteer, contribute, share information, and help their neighbors participate.
Every door knocked, every phone call made, every post shared, and every donation received moves District 2 one step closer to leadership that answers to the people.
67 : 20 : 28 : 58

Authorized by Friends of Eric Van Buren
Paid for by Jodie Suppes, Treasurer
Help Us Put People Over Profits
Real change requires more than one candidate. It requires residents who are willing to vote, volunteer, contribute, share information, and help their neighbors participate.
Every door knocked, every phone call made, every post shared, and every donation received moves District 2 one step closer to leadership that answers to the people.
67 : 20 : 28 : 58


