Maryland State Attorney Addresses Exodus Under Progressive Policies

The attorney for Carroll County, Maryland, has announced his resignation, expressing frustration over what he describes as an “insane” and “ultra-progressive” shift in the state’s governance. Haven Shoemaker, who has dedicated decades to public service, shared his dissatisfaction with the policies coming from Annapolis, particularly criticizing Maryland’s “sanctuary” status and the high taxes that support services for undocumented immigrants.

“Maryland has essentially become the California of the Chesapeake,” he said. “I really think things are only going to deteriorate. It was time, for me at least, to seek out better opportunities elsewhere.”

Shoemaker noted that many Maryland residents seem to be giving up on the state as well. “Maryland has one of the worst rates of people leaving the state,” he mentioned. “I really have no idea who will handle the burdens of the spending that Annapolis continues to endorse, but it’s definitely not going to be me.”

Shoemaker, born in Baltimore during the 1960s, has served for thirty years in local and state politics before becoming the chief prosecutor for Carroll County this year. His political experience includes terms as Mayor of Hampstead, a Carroll County Commissioner, and a Maryland State Representative, where he rose to the position of House Minority Whip for the Maryland Republican Party.

Although he has been deeply involved in state politics over the years, deciding to leave Maryland was not an easy choice. “I’ve been mulling this over for quite some time now, but the final straw was definitely the Congress that designated Maryland as a sanctuary state,” he said.

This year, an emergency measure was passed by Maryland’s General Assembly that restricts local and state law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding immigration enforcement. The bill was signed by Democratic Governor Wes Moore, who is currently being speculated as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

Moore’s administration emphasized that while cooperation with ICE for deporting individuals deemed a public safety risk will continue, the new law aims to ensure that local law enforcement remains qualified and accountable.

Notably, Shoemaker pointed out that Maryland’s sanctuary policy is merely a piece of a larger equation. He voiced concerns over the state’s tax policies, noting a $1.6 billion tax increase passed by the legislature last year, which was aimed at addressing a considerable budget deficit. He highlighted that Maryland, despite its mid-level population ranking, manages a significantly large budget compared to other states.

As he prepares for his move to North Carolina, Shoemaker warns Maryland leaders that they might need to reevaluate their policies if they hope to halt the loss of residents. “If the fleeing continues, they’re really going to have to rethink what they’re doing,” he cautioned.