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Lee O. Sanderlin

Lee O.

Lee O. Sanderlin is an enterprise reporter with a focus on power — political and otherwise. Before The Banner, he worked at The Baltimore Sun and newspapers in Mississippi and his native North Carolina.

The latest from Lee O. Sanderlin

Did Baltimore’s development arm green-light new Harborplace tax breaks in secret? What to know.
The city is considering two kinds of tax breaks for three development projects, including a $900 million redevelopment of Harborplace.
Harborplace is seen on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor just before sunrise.
Wes Moore’s campaign is spending millions to cement Democrats’ hold on Maryland
Given the lopsided nature of Moore's race against Republican Dan Cox, why is Moore raising and spending so much money? It's nuanced.
Given the lopsided nature of Moore's race against Republican Dan Cox, why is Moore raising and spending so much money? It's nuanced.
Chris Van Hollen says the Democratic Party needs change. Is he the one to lead it?
Maryland U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen has been positioning himself for a starring role in the future of the Democratic party.
Maryland U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen has been positioning himself for a starring role in the future of the Democratic party.
Maryland labor leader Patrick Moran elected president of public employees union AFSCME
Patrick Moran, an influential and longtime Maryland labor leader, was elected Thursday as president of AFSCME International, one of the largest labor unions in the country.
July 21, 2026 - Patrick Moran speaks at a AFSCME press conference regarding the officer shortage in DPSCS.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has spent 1 in 5 days of his term in other states
Gov. Wes Moore has spent at least a portion of one in every five days out of state since he took office in 2023 — and that pace of travel has accelerated as his national profile has grown, according to a Banner analysis.
Wes Moore on stage, reaching out to shake hands with people on the floor.
Maryland Democrats settle for less after bitter redistricting fight
Lawmakers are holding a special session on redistricting, but it’s too late to affect Trump’s agenda.
From left, Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Gov. Wes Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson all took different views of congressional redistricting over the past year, but they all ultimately ended up at the same place: revising the state constitution to make map-drawing easier going forward.
Maryland wrongly paid SNAP benefits to $2M lottery winner, incarcerated people
Most eye-popping among the findings was the state’s failure to terminate SNAP benefits for a person who won a $2 million lottery prize in July 2023.
FILE - SNAP EBT information sign is displayed at a gas station in Riverwoods, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file)
Sinclair’s David Smith threatens to sue Wes Moore as feud intensifies
An attorney for Smith sent Moore and his communications staff a letter on June 29 demanding that Moore retract a statement and apologize.
David Smith, owner of the Baltimore Sun, is interviewed by Sun photographer Amy Davis on his way to eat at the Atlas Quarter in Baltimore, Md. on Friday, December 20, 2024. Members of the Baltimore Sun’s unionized workforce were there to hand out informational flyers about Smith and his plans for the newspaper.
Downtown Baltimore’s big pit could finally get filled in
The Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development recently issued a code violation to the owner of the former site of the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in downtown Baltimore.
Artificial grass covers the site at 1 W. Baltimore St., where the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre once stood. It’s been a pit for 12 years.
Justice Department sues Maryland over immigration policies
The lawsuit, one of several President Donald Trump’s administration has brought against Democratic-led states and cities, takes issue with the newly passed Community Trust Act.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is named in a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit challenging the state’s Community Trust Act, an immigration law that took effect this year.
Bill Ferguson says he’s learned from his close call. Now comes the hard part.
Bill Ferguson held off Bobby LaPin, but not without a scare. The Maryland Senate president says the race humbled him and exposed weaknesses in how he connected with constituents.
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson door knocks in South Baltimore earlier this month. Ferguson says a primary challenge taught him he needed to reconnect with his district.
What we learned from Maryland’s 2026 primary election results
Tuesday’s elections were — mostly — decisive, with winners declared for governor, Congress, county executive and contested House of Delegates races.
Bill Ferguson is interviewed by reporters following his victory speech at his primary election night watch party at the Firefighters Union Hall in Baltimore on Tuesday evening.
Bill Ferguson beats Bobby LaPin in Baltimore state Senate primary
Should Ferguson lose, which polling from both camps shows is unlikely, it would set off a scramble within the General Assembly to fill his role running the state Senate.
Bobby LaPin, left, and Senate President Bill Ferguson.
An insider’s guide to watching Maryland’s 2026 primary results
Maryland’s 2026 primaries feature key battles in Baltimore, major congressional races, and decisive moments for Democrats and Republicans.
A voter leans into their booth  while filling out a ballot on Election Day at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, MD on November 5th, 2024.
Maryland will own Preakness brand after matching Churchill Downs’ $85 million offer
Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement that his administration has made “historic investments” to ensure the future of Maryland’s racing industry and the $85 million decision will secure a “vital asset for our state.”
Fans watch the Preakness Stakes from the apron at Laurel Park in May.
Case dismissed against great-aunt who hid missing Baltimore child Tristan King
Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said he considered Denise Day’s humanity in the decision.
Denise Day, the great-aunt of 9-year-old Tristan King, had been the only person facing accountability for Tristan’s case.
Wes Moore’s military service is not in doubt. His storytelling is.
Wes Moore’s Army service is central to his political identity. Questions about the Maryland governor’s stories have opened a new fight over facts and credibility.
Wes Moore gives a farewell address to the corps of cadets after serving as regimental commander.
An influencer has Bill Ferguson stressing. Should he be?
Bill Ferguson, long seen as unbeatable, confronts challenger Bobby LaPin in a closely watched Baltimore Democratic primary.
Bobby LaPin, left, speaks with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson following a 46th District candidate forum in Baltimore earlier this month.
Who is Nasire Best? Alleged White House shooter killed by Secret Service was Dundalk HS grad.
The man Secret Service officers shot and killed Saturday near the White House was a Baltimore County resident who struggled with mental health and had shut out those closest to him in recent months, according to friends and court records.
A photo of Nasire Best, shared by a former teammate, shows Best in 2024.
Maryland moves closer to special session on congressional redistricting
Maryland Democrats are in discussions to hold a special legislative session this summer to address legal roadblocks to redrawing the state’s congressional districts.
Senate President Bill Ferguson says he’s having “active conversations” about bringing lawmakers back to Annapolis to take up redistricting.
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