in december 2007, gladden was chosen by the obama for president campaign to appear on the ballot, in the maryland democratic presidential primary, as a female delegate for obama from maryland's 7th congressional district. gladden campaigned in ohio, south carolina, pennsylvania and maryland for obama during the primary campaign. she finished first among the female delegates in the maryland democratic election and went to the 2008 democratic national convention, in denver colorado, as a delegate committed to barack obama. along with maryland delegate curt anderson, gladden served as co-chair of the baltimore for obama campaign in both the 2008 primary and general elections.