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TELL US: What Do You Really Want From Next Elected Leaders?

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In a week, voters will head to the polls in Maryland's primary. This election, there's a lot of talk and a lot of promises--but will anything get done?

WJZ's Mary Bubala with a special Campaign 2016 report.

We will soon elect a new president and senator, and WJZ asks--what do people really want from their next leaders?

Bubala: "What is the one thing that frustrates you the most about the direction of our country right now?"

"I think that many of the politicians who are in office right now are very self-serving, and I think that there are many agendas that don't benefit us, that do not benefit the general public," responded Ryan Turner, executive director, Akoben Foundation.

"The inability to compromise anymore is just changing the whole dynamic. They're just fighting each other and it's like two people in an alley fighting--who knows who wins--it's not going to be who has the better idea, it's going to be who's the loudest or the strongest," added Mike Davis, attorney.

Bubala: "What do you worry about the most? What keeps you up at night?"

"It's the future--what do my children and my grandchildren--what does their future look like? With all of these issues that are happening, just in terms of education and in terms of employment—what is being put in place so that they are going to enjoy a successful life," responded Sandy Monck, United Way.

"For me, I think what keeps me up at night because it's my niche is that safety issue, the social justice and criminal justice, and specifically, the police reform," added Ray Kelly, No Boundaries Coalition.

Bubala: "This is your chance, this is your moment to address the candidates--get their attention--what do you want them to do, to change, to improve or to implement?"

"I'd recommend once they get elected to office that they govern and spend time governing. We have this system now where it's campaign year-round for the entire term. Govern, and you said it before, compromise is not a dirty word. That's how we get things done in our country," said Kirby Fowler, president, Downtown Partnership.

"I would say to be transparent--that is my word. To be true and to be genuine and to do what they were elected to do," added Turner.

A recent Washington Post and University of Maryland poll shows the race for Senate is very close. Donna Edwards led Chris Van Hollen by four-points.

This election, WJZ wants to know what you think. We want to hear from you! Special campaign coverage continues all this week on WJZ.

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