A seasoned Maryland state attorney has announced his departure, citing a dramatic shift towards “ultra-progressive” policies that have fundamentally altered the state he once knew. Haven Shoemaker, the state attorney for Carroll County, described decades of public service culminating in a profound disillusionment with the direction Maryland is heading.
Shoemaker expressed a deep frustration with what he sees as a relentless tide of policies originating from the state capital in Annapolis. He specifically pointed to Maryland’s “sanctuary” policies and escalating taxes, a significant portion of which, he believes, are directed towards services for those who have entered the country illegally.
“Maryland has become California on the Chesapeake,” Shoemaker stated, painting a stark picture of a state unrecognizable from its past. He doesn’t foresee improvement, believing the situation will only worsen, ultimately leading to his decision to seek a new life elsewhere.
His departure isn’t an isolated incident. Shoemaker reports witnessing a constant exodus of Maryland residents, a trend reflected in the state’s alarming outward migration numbers – among the worst in the nation. He refuses to contribute further to what he views as reckless spending by state officials.
Born and raised in Baltimore during the 1960s, Shoemaker dedicated three decades to Maryland politics before becoming Carroll County’s top prosecutor in 2023. His extensive experience includes serving as mayor of Hampstead, a Carroll County commissioner, and a nine-year tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates, even rising to House Minority Whip.
Despite his long involvement in state governance, Shoemaker’s decision to leave was a gradual realization, solidified by the recent legislative session. The passage of a bill establishing Maryland as a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants proved to be the breaking point.
This legislation effectively prohibits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program. Governor Wes Moore, a rising star in the Democratic party, signed the bill into law, framing it as a protection of local law enforcement.
Governor Moore emphasized his belief that Maryland’s strength lies in its diverse immigrant community, asserting that the bill prevents the “deputization” of local officers by unqualified agents. However, Shoemaker views the policy as just one symptom of a larger, more troubling trend.
Beyond the sanctuary policies, Shoemaker highlighted Maryland’s burdensome tax structure, pointing to a recent $1.6 billion tax increase enacted as part of a $67 billion state budget. Despite ranking 18th in population and 42nd in land size, Maryland operates with a comparatively large budget.
State leaders are already anticipating another substantial budget deficit next year, further fueling Shoemaker’s conviction that Maryland politicians are prioritizing an “ultra-progressive base” at the expense of its citizens. The financial realities, he believes, are unsustainable.
Shoemaker’s destination is North Carolina, joining a growing wave of Maryland taxpayers seeking more favorable conditions. He offers a stark warning to Governor Moore and other state leaders: a fundamental policy shift is needed to reverse the current outflow of residents and resources.
