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Chris Keane

@christopher.m.keane

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Civic Innovator | Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Leaders Program Alum - DSCI - | Campaign Consultant | Democratic Strategist | Opinions are my own

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Four years of fighting, lobbying, knocking on doors, and testifying year after year, and it is officially official.

Governor Wes Moore (@govwesmoore) has signed the Maryland Civic Excellence Program- Established (HB 57/SB204) into law! This milestone ensures Maryland high schoolers can earn a Civic Seal of Excellence, recognizing the young people who go above and beyond to serve their communities.

A massive shout-out goes to the Maryland Civic Education Coalition (@mdcivicedu). Whom fought relentlessly alongside us to get it over the finish line.

This work is deeply personal to me. This exact bill is what pulled me into state politics. My journey started with the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program, an incredible initiative created by the Governor. Participating in it proved to me that service will truly save us and that civic education is essential.

I owe an immense debt of gratitude to the mentors who shaped me in this program. Thank you, Genie Massey (@geniemasseyedu), for your unwavering guidance and mentorship. A very special thank you to former Secretary Paul Monteiro, who supported this bill for years, fought by our side every step of the way, and helped shape me into the leader I am today. Thank you to the Governor and the team at @marylandserves for proving that Maryland leads the nation when we elevate service.

Civics means showing up everywhere and leaving no one behind. Looking through these photos, true civics is reflected in leadership that meets people where they are. It is the Governor working in Annapolis, but also traveling out to Oakland to connect with Western Maryland, and stepping up in Westernport when devastation hit the community. When a federal administration falls short, state government and neighbors protecting neighbors is what saves communities.

To the amazing Maryland students who wrote testimony, spoke up, and lobbied: this victory belongs to you. Many of you will graduate before you can earn this seal, but you fought anyway so that future students would be recognized. That is
true leadership. taken in Maryland State House by @christopher.m.keane

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5 months ago

@marylandserves @govwesmoore #marylandserves Option program gives recent graduates and graduating high schoolers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to serve their community while:

✅ Gaining personal and professional skills,
✅ Earning a $15 per hour wage, and
✅ Getting help with transportation and child care.

At the completion of the program, they’ll receive $6,000 to use toward tuition costs or as a cash stipend.

If you know someone who would be a great applicant, have them apply here: serve.maryland.gov
#job #college #apprentice #apprenticeship #apprenticeships #youngadult #education #maryland #service #development #professionaldevelopment #helping #learning #graduate #graduation #jobsearch #jobseekers #personalgrowth #climate #climatecorps taken in Maryland by @christopher.m.keane

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2 years ago

@marylandserves @govwesmoore #marylandserves Graduated from high school without a plan, a way to finance my plan, or someone to help guide you along with your plan? No problem. The Maryland Service Year Option offers all that and more. You’ll get to explore your employment options, maybe pursue a passion, get paid a living wage, receive “real world” professional development training, and get your very own success coach to help guide you through that first year of post-high school independence.#job #college #apprentice #apprenticeship #apprenticeships #youngadult #education #maryland #service #development #professionaldevelopment #helping #learning #graduate #graduation #jobsearch #jobseekers #personalgrowth #climate #climatecorps by @christopher.m.keane

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2 years ago

NGA Chair’s Reception - was wonderful hearing from the chair Governor Wes Moore and Secretary Jonny Dorsey with the kind words about how Service will save us. But I also wanted to shout out the entire DSCI team for making this possible in Maryland. I am truly blessed to work alongside such an amazing group of talented individuals taken in Government House (Maryland) by @christopher.m.keane

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8 days ago

Washington County Comes Together for National Night Out 2026

By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held nationwide on the first Tuesday in August. The initiative is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, and promote police-community partnerships. Most importantly, it fosters a true sense of neighborhood camaraderie, bringing residents, community organizations, local emergency responders, and government entities together under positive circumstances.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, that spirit of community was on full display across Washington County.

In Hagerstown, the community gathered at the Fairgrounds Park north pavilion. Boonsboro residents filled Shafer Park, while Williamsport hosted its evening festivities at Byron Memorial Park. The celebrations extended to all corners of the county, with Smithsburg coming together at Veterans Park and Hancock residents gathering at Widmeyer Park.

Across these locations, the evening featured a wide array of family-friendly fun. Children were treated to balloon animals and face painting, while local fire departments provided exciting water activities to help beat the summer heat. K-9 demonstrations thrilled the crowds, highlighting the incredible skill and dedication of our four-legged officers. Some locations added their own local flavor to the national tradition; Hagerstown’s event, for example, featured drone demonstrations and backpack giveaways for the upcoming school year.

Beyond the food and entertainment, National Night Out 2026 achieved its core mission. It provided a valuable opportunity for Washington County residents to connect face-to-face with the local law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and public officials who serve them every day, strengthening the partnerships that keep our communities safe. taken in Washington County, Maryland by @christopher.m.keane

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2 months ago

Youth Coalition Drives Primary Dialogue at Hagerstown Candidate Forum

By Chris Keane - Youth News Contributor

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Amid the vibrant atmosphere of Hagerstown Pride weekend, a historic collaboration of young civic leaders shifted the political spotlight to the next generation of voters. The newly established Washington County Young Democrats, partnering with chapters from Mountain Maryland, Frederick County, and Montgomery County, hosted a primary candidate forum at the Washington County Free Library in downtown Hagerstown to press congressional hopefuls on the issues defining the future of Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.

The event marked a significant milestone for Western Maryland’s political landscape. For the first time, all Young Democrats chapters within MD-06 united to anchor a major public forum in Washington County, signaling a growing, organized youth movement outside the state’s traditional metropolitan hubs.

The forum drew several candidates vying for the open seat in the upcoming Democratic primary. Candidates Ethan Wechtaluk, George Gluck, Alexis Goldstein, and Mark Wilks were present, taking the stage to answer questions directly from young constituents. Incumbent Representative April McClain Delaney and candidate Daniel Krakower did not attend the event. Former Representative David Trone, who had intended to participate, was ultimately unable to attend due to a urgent family matter.

The discussion covered a broad range of high-stakes issues impacting young families and workers in the district, including the rising cost of living, healthcare accessibility, childcare costs, and the burden of student debt.
A central point of friction during the evening was the regional boom in technology infrastructure. Candidates engaged in a rigorous debate regarding the local impact of artificial intelligence infrastructure, specifically debating whether to implement a ban or a moratorium on new AI data centers due to concerns over energy consumption, utility costs, and land use. taken in Hagerstown, Maryland by @christopher.m.keane

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5 months ago

Please join us at the Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, for a candidate forum. To connect youth across the 6th congressional district with all candidates. This is a collaboration between all Young Democrats chapters in the 6th district. We are so grateful to be able to host in our great county, the center of contentious debate, with a planned ICE detention center that local republican leaders welcomed. This is truly a unique opportunity and shows the power of young people to be listened to, but now we must show up. taken in Washington County Free Library by @christopher.m.keane

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5 months ago

If you care at all about public safety, Re-Elect State’s Attorney Gina Cirincion. She is an experienced attorney who has decades of prosecutorial experience and has increased efficiency at the State’s Attorneys’ office. She not only fights to protect the community every day, but also lives in and enjoys our community. Rather than placing signs and giving speeches, she joins individuals, rain or shine, to participate in activities, such as in Williamsport on Saturday, where the team ran with our community members in the tiki trot. Completely soaked after, but joined in the fun and drank our victory beer from local Cushwa Brewery.

If you would like to assist her this primary and prevent a lawyer who can’t keep a law office open from taking control and threatening public safety, please reach out. If you would also like to donate, take a yard sign, or help get them out, please reach out. by @christopher.m.keane

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5 months ago

“Stop Using Cringy AI.” - Chris Keane

Amazing time at the Western Maryland Democratic Summit at Hub City Vynl. I was privileged to speak and give a youth perspective. Each time I had the opportunity, I reminded everyone to stop using AI Slop, as it is cringe. In said room, AI-generated content was present. Democrats are the party of the people, the workers, and unions, and AI-generated content stands, admittedly, opposed to this. As someone who has seen the work people dedicate to their arts, no machine can or will replicate this expression of human spirit, and we should be ashamed if, as democrats, we can’t use people.

I would also speak on the fact that the party must do more to engage young men. Young men are a winnable demographic that feels politically homeless, and we may have seen in NYC that Mayor Mamdani won young men by +40 points. Young men have been pushed out of democratic politics, and we must include them to ensure victories. Young men have a place because so many believe in democracy. Institutions, protection of rights, taxes on corporations, enforcement of fair rules, and increased assistance to families, such as free daycare and higher education reform, etc.

Great time meeting colleagues across the state doing amazing work. I was so glad to work with the co-founder of Washington County Young Dems, Jayden Hess, to increase young Democrats’ turnout drastically as well. taken in Hub City Vinyl by @christopher.m.keane

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Had a great time at the Hagerstown Community College Earth Day celebration today. The Environmental Club put together an excellent event featuring live music, community organizations, and free food for students. A big thank you to the SGA for providing free tomato plants as well. We spent the afternoon doing our part for the campus through planting and weed removal. I had an absolute blast and am really thankful to the Environmental Club for organizing this. taken in Hagerstown Community College by @christopher.m.keane

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6 months ago

Speak Up Community News: Third No Kings March in Downtown Hagerstown

Chris Keane, Youth News Contributor / Project Manager

Today, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, an estimated 1,500 people gathered in downtown Hagerstown for the third No Kings Rally. The massive turnout followed a series of morning precursor events in Clear Spring, Smithsburg, and Boonsboro. Protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to current immigration policies and the proposed ICE facility in Williamsport. Demonstrators cited constitutional and civil rights violations, alongside other shared grievances with the current administration. This footage provides a brief look at today’s events on the ground. Stay tuned for a full, in-depth article written by our youth contributor, which will be published shortly. taken in Hagerstown Downtown Square by @christopher.m.keane

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7 months ago

Washington County Commissioner Derek Harvey Steps Down

By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD — Washington County Commissioner Derek Harvey has officially resigned from the Board of County Commissioners, with his departure taking effect on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Elected to a four-year term in 2022, Harvey stated in his resignation letter that he is stepping down to pursue new business opportunities. He noted that these ventures better align with his long-term professional goals and the needs of his family. He currently resides in Smithsburg with his wife and three children.

Before his time serving Washington County locally, Harvey built a distinguished career in the military and the federal government. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer, he earned numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. Following his military service, he transitioned to a role as a Senior Intelligence Executive. His extensive federal experience also includes serving on Capitol Hill as Lead Investigator and Senior Advisor to the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, as well as serving on the White House National Security Council under President Donald J. Trump.

In response to his departure, the Board of County Commissioners extended its sincere appreciation to Commissioner Harvey for his dedicated service, wishing him continued success in his future endeavors. Looking ahead, the County Attorney has officially notified the Washington County Republican Central Committee of the vacancy. The Committee is now tasked with selecting a candidate to recommend to Governor Wes Moore, who will make the official appointment to fill the remainder of Harvey’s term. taken in Washington County, Maryland by @christopher.m.keane

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8 months ago