05/08/2024
Election (Primary) Day on Tuesday. The below article has some errant reporting but does offer insight into the campaign.
“Robert Houton
Houton is running to stop the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl overdoses in the state increased 108% from 2018 to 2021, Houton said. His children have friends who died from overdoses.
Hudson says he helped politicians create legislation to combat fentanyl usage, the Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Prevention Act in the U.S. Senate. The Senate bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act to clarify that the possession and transportation of fentanyl or xylazine test strips are not illegal. The legislation is co-sponsored by 10 senators including Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D).
The Boston-born candidate also wants to address affordable housing. One of his proposals is to transition some of the state’s commercial real estate properties into affordable housing.
Houton decided to run after the fentanyl legislation was introduced in the Senate.
“Knowing that accomplishment was successful amplified the urgency [of the Senate run],” Houton said.
The non-profit founder also plans to continue the campaign after the primary.
One long-shot candidate says he worries about the ability of the Democratic frontrunners to defeat former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in the fall.