National Publication Huff Post Warned Black Voters About Mark Chang and Other Far-Right Republicans Switching Parties to Win Democratic Seats. No Evidence That Mark Chang Graduated from Morgan State University.
Mark Chang's past a Republican Party leader is under fire after casting himself as a champion of Civil Rights. In a public forum, and in local news outlets, Chang falsely claimed that an unnamed African American organization discriminated against him by denying him entry to a meeting. Chang claimed that it was this experience that led him to finally be a champion of civil rights. In his version, Chang cited his alleged experience as part of his origin story and cast himself as a type of victim. Chang said that "no one stood up for him" and that the encounter sent him to a "dark place." The organization in question documented and submitted evidence that Chang fabricated his claim about discrimination and noted that Mark Chang was never invited to attend the private, invitation-only event.
A diverse crowd of 70 community leaders and school board officials attended the invite-only meeting to discuss the elimination of equity bonuses for teachers at schools like Meade High School and the disproportionate number of African-American boys either cited, arrested, or expelled from Meade for various infractions.
Mark Chang, along with several officials in the County, was never invited to the private event due either to votes or actions that were in direct conflict with the values of the symposium and its African-American constituency according to organizers.
Organizers noted Chang's past as a leader for the Republican Party in Anne Arundel County and his work as a trusted advisor for MAGA extremist County Executive John Leopold. The disgraced Leopold was forced from the County Executive's seat after several lawsuits by women accusing him of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. Leopold also collected illegal dossiers on local, civil rights leaders. "Leopold's illegal dossiers on Black leaders and abhorrent treatment of women wasn't enough to send Mark to a 'dark place' or even enough for him to resign. Mark Chang's loyalty to the disgraced John Leopold says everything you need to know about his duplicity. Mark is the Jussie Smollett of Maryland Politics." Chang was promptly fired by the new administration that replaced Leopold.
Organizers also highlighted that Chang never fought for the equity program that was eliminated by the school district nor did he fight to help support African American boys at Meade HS disproportionately arrested or cited for minor infractions. More telling they say, is that Chang first ran as a Delegate in District 32 as a Republican and lost. Thereafter, Mark Chang switched parties in a self-serving effort to win the seat as a Democrat.
In a national profile about political extremism in Maryland, the Huffington Post warned voters about Mark Chang and other Maryland Republican extremists who were switching parties in an attempt to dump Democratic voters (Don't Be April Fooled by Far-Right Activists Dressed Up as Democratic Candidates). Rumors that Mark Chang graduated from HBCU Morgan State University are also under scrutiny. We could not formally verify that Chang graduated from Morgan State University.
Public records from the Maryland General Assembly show that Chang, as a so-called "Democrat," routinely voted with extremist Republicans to OPPOSE every major civil rights reform during his first term:
Mark Chang voted against HB124-15 which expunged certain records for convicted felons.
Mark Chang voted against HB121-15 which repealed mandatory minimum sentences which adversely impacts Latinos and African Americans.
Mark Chang voted against HB1418-17 which reduced sentencing disparity and offered drug treatment as an alternative to jail.
Mark Chang voted against HB1083-17 which guaranteed access to women's healthcare and family/reproductive planning services.
Mark Chang has noted his immigration heritage but he voted against HB1362-17 which restricted law enforcement from asking anyone about their immigration status.
Civil rights leaders have said that Chang's assertions about racial discrimination is distasteful and embarrassing in light of his voting record and his loyalty to "the disgraceful" Republican John Leopold. Leaders have said Leopold's administration routinely bullied Black leaders.
Mark Chang is one of three former Republicans who have filed to run for US Congress in Maryland's 3rd Congressional District as "Democrats." One is former Republican nominee for state Senate Don Quinn who's past leadership as a Republican is also under blistering criticism from local leaders and bloggers. The other is Juan Dominguez who briefly flirted with a run for US Senate. Dominguez previously served as a Republican office holder in Bogota, NJ as a colleague of controversial Republican mayor Steve Lonegan.