Maryland primary again puts Democratic divisions on display

The post-2016 trench warfare between the liberal and establishment wings of the Democratic Party flares up again in Maryland on Tuesday, when voters pick the party’s standard-bearer to take on popular Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican.

Former NAACP leader Ben Jealous, one of the front-runners in recent polls, is campaigning on a Bernard Sanders-style platform of universal health care, free college tuition and marijuana legalization, saying the Democratic base in one of the nation’s most liberal states is ready to embrace “bold ideas” to propel him into the governor’s mansion.

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, who supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, is touting his longtime experience in local and state government and warning Democratic primary voters that “pretty-sounding words” won’t amount to much if a candidate doesn’t follow through with action.

Mr. Jealous and Mr. Baker have separated themselves in polling from the other six candidates vying for the nomination to take on Mr. Hogan, though there are also a good number of voters who were still undecided heading into Tuesday.

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