UPDATE (June 16): Rushern Baker suspended his campaign. (Story)BALTIMORE -- As part of our Commitment 2022 coverage from 11 News, WBALTV.com has the information you need to cast your vote for Maryland governor in 2022. 2022 Maryland Voter's Guide: How to voteBack to the candidates for governorThe following responses are from Rushern Baker, Democratic candidate for governor. He is 63 years old and was born in Valdosta, Georgia. He is president and CEO of Baker Strategies and served as Prince George's County executive from 2010 to 2018. His running mate is Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Navarro, D-District 4, since 2009.Website | Facebook | Twitter | InstagramQUESTION 1: What is your plan to improve Maryland's infrastructure?Once elected, the Baker-Navarro administration will set the state on a track to drastically improve and modernize our transportation system. With the passage of the Investments and Jobs Act by Congress, the state will be receiving significant funding for our transportation infrastructure. We are committing to using all of that money to begin a number of long overdue public transportation projects. While we will be investing across the state, our priority will be restarting the red line extension to Baltimore and subsequent investment in Baltimore Metro Transit. It is our firm belief that creating cheap, easy access to public transit into and around the city will create an economic boom that will reverberate across the street. We also plan on expanding public transit in the DC Metro Area, ensuring that the Purple line is completed in a timely manner, and implementing the SMRT light rail project to connect Southern Maryland to the rest of the state's growing public transit infrastructure.This investment in public transit is integral to our vision for the future of Maryland's environmental health. We have an extensive environmental plan for the state that includes a continued modernization of our electric grid, so we are able to move more of our homes and public buildings off of gas, and on to electric, renewable energy sources. We will also support the creation of renewable energy production through subsidies and other incentives for companies who share our energy goals and values.QUESTION 2: What specifically will you do to improve education in Maryland?First, both Rushern and Nancy have long been vocal advocates for the Blueprint for Maryland's future. The goals and policy recommendations have the potential to make Maryland a national leader in education once again, but right now it is still just potential. It is going to take a determined and motivated executive office to make sure that we follow through on all of the promises of the Blueprint, and that is what a Baker-Navarro administration can promise better than any other campaign in the race.In addition to our commitment to the Blueprint, our administration will provide more support for community schools, reduce the technology gap across districts, attract a larger pool of educators through higher pay and union support, and convene stakeholders from across the state to continue to develop our education policy agenda.QUESTION 3: How will you improve Maryland's economy and grow jobs?Keeping Maryland competitive and fostering economic growth have always been priorities for both Rushern and Nancy. As county executive, Rushern created the Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF) where he invested in attracting businesses to the county with great success. As governor, he would take that same model and apply it to the state, doubling the $100 million state fund to $200 million.That said, any policy to improve our economy must first consider those communities who have been left out of the growth our state has seen in recent years. That is why we have created the Roadmap for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, a comprehensive plan that will ensure that Black families are given the opportunities for economic advancement that they have sorely missed. Our plan includes:Establishing a Baker/Navarro Black Business Agenda to increase business opportunities in MarylandCreating jobs, increase access to homeownership and reduce the racial wealth gapCreating more equity in higher academic achievementCreating healthier communities for Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC)Improving public safety through investing in communities, legalizing adult-use cannabis, and assisting returning citizensQUESTION 4: What do you believe would help address the issues of crime, disinvestment and poverty in Baltimore City? Do you believe the state has a role?What is happening today in Baltimore is nothing short of a tragedy. We are losing an entire generation of Black men to gun violence, and it is clear the current solutions are not cutting it. That is why we will be declaring a state of emergency in the city, so we can use state resources to help solve this crisis.Our plan for solving this crisis is threefold. First, we need to acknowledge that these problems stem from the inequality of treatment and opportunity for young Black men in Baltimore, and address those inequalities by spurring economic development, and creating jobs for those in the community who are ready to work. Second, we need to invest in our health care services in these communities who have lost so much. Nearly half of all the Health Professional Shortage Areas are in Baltimore City. This inequity alone has left generations of Black families without adequate mental and physical health care, leading to tremendous loss of life. This is a direct result of the systemic racism that persists in the health care industry, and it is going to take an executive branch without the burden of corporate campaign donations to bring real, tangible justice to these communities.Finally, we need to expand recreation programs to reduce over exposure to social media. Studies have shown social media to be more harmful to young children than anything we have experienced before.QUESTION 5: Why are you the right person for the job?Rushern and Nancy are change-makers. Both are experienced leaders who have shown time and again that they are ready to make the tough decisions necessary to foster a more just world. As county executive, Rushern took a once stagnant and corrupt government and created a vibrant, successful, nationally recognized model for how focus, thoughtful and collaborative leadership can transform communities, governments and lives.As a member of the Montgomery County Council, Nancy ensured working families were always a top priority. She passed a $15 minimum wage, increased pay equity and earned sick leave and cracked down on wage violations. She authored the Early Care and Education Initiative to expand the availability of quality and affordable child care. She also led efforts to bring economic development to traditionally underserved communities in her district, transforming communities like Wheaton with over $400 million in projects. As chair of the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee, she positioned the county to retain its AAA bond rating, something the county has had since 1973.As lifelong public servants and elected officials, Rushern and Nancy know better than anyone the outsized influence that money has on our elections, and as a result, our government. During their time in office, Rushern and Nancy have fought hard for the issues they knew would make a difference in the lives of their constituents. More often than not though, special interests would interfere at the expense of the people who Rushern and Nancy were working to help. That is why they made the decision to fund their campaign using the Public Financing System. Under this system, the Baker-Navarro campaign will not be taking any money from PACs or corporations, and will instead be working to activate communities of voters, raising small donations rather than seeking out wealthy donors to fund the campaign. That is why the a Baker-Navarro administration is in the best position to make the changes that Marylanders want, and that they have fought for for decades.