REPUBLICAN
Kevin Dorrance
Has not responded yet
• Campaign information:
- email: kadorrance@gmail.com
*did not respond to additional questions
Patricia Fenati
• Where you live: Damascus
• Date of birth: May 10. Declined to give year.
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Retired. Most of my career was in telecommunications, designing network models for large corporations and government agencies. My last employer was ALION Science & Technology.
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): Ran for state delegate in District 14 in 2010, 2014. Have served for 11 years in Montgomery County Republican Central Committee.
• Campaign information:
- email: D14GOP@gmail.com
- website: www.PatFenati.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/patricia.fenati
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaFenati
*did not respond to additional questions
Michael A. Ostroff
• Where you live: Burtonsville
• Date of birth: April 22, 1984
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Attorney with Montero Law Group LLC in Silver Spring.
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): Ran for state delegate in District 14 in 2014.
• Campaign information:
- email: Ostroff4Delegate@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ostroff4Delegate
1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I am running for Delegate to give a voice to the citizens and small businesses of Montgomery County. In our County, every elected official for county- or state-level office is a registered Democrat. Our Delegation acts as an echo-chamber of the Democratic party ideology, out-bidding each other for special interest approval. I will be an independent voice, acting to improve our county and state through rigorous debate and critical analysis of the issues.
2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
I think one of the most important issues of this election is the return to political civility and rejection of the politics of division. But, unfortunately, the politicians here in Montgomery County, while speaking of tolerance, are some of the most politically intolerant. Instead of the the legislature focusing on improving our state, our local politicians make everything “political” to the citizens’ detriment. My focus will be on bring all county residents to the table, to craft policies that look to benefit Montgomery County and Maryland.
3 – What is one major issue the current House has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
I think the current Legislature has utterly failed to promote our democratic principles, and I will look to oppose those the current efforts. Whether it is removing the governor’s control over the attorney general; the rejection of redistricting reform; the opposition to strengthening transparency in government and the public school system; or the opposition to the governor’s appointments, the actions of our elected officials have damaged Marylanders’ democratic rights. The Legislature’s job is not to resist the Democratically-elected governor. I will instead to support the rights and improve the welfare of the citizens of our State.
4 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I believe I have a portfolio of professional and academic experience that has prepared me to represent the citizens of District 14. For over eight years, I have been a practicing attorney, helping individuals, families and small businesses protect their rights and improve their situations. I have helped to craft policy, litigate disputes, negotiate agreements, and, more generally, advocated for people who needed my help. I studied economics and human development, and interned in policy development and law reform. I believe these experiences have given me the skills to advocate for my constituents and put ideas into action.
DEMOCRAT
Anne R. Kaiser (incumbent)
• Where you live: Silver Spring
• Date of birth: Feb. 10, 1968
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Adjunct professor, University of Maryland, College Park. Adjunct professor, Montgomery College.
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): Currently serving fourth four-year term for state delegate. First elected in 2002. Previously served on Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, 1998-2002.
• Campaign information:
- email: delegatekaiser@gmail.com
- website: www.annekaiser.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/delegate.kaiser
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/delegatekaiser
1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
To continue to advocate for an educated workforce, better transportation, improved health care, dignity for all, and an increased quality of life in District 14, Montgomery County and throughout Maryland. I have put the shared values of my constituents into action since day 1, and will continue to do so with Sen. Zucker, Del. Luedtke and Del. Queen. My leadership position in Annapolis affords me greater capacity to advocate for my community.
2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Public education is always the most important issue, whether you have kids in school or not. A strong education system supports our tax base and our quality of life in Maryland. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, I help plot the course of K-12 education policy in the state. I work with my colleagues to guarantee that every child, no matter their zip code or income level, gets a good education. We must increase our investments, so more kids receive high-quality pre-kindergarten, our teachers get the best training possible and struggling learners get the support they need.
3 – What is one major issue the current House has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
Every year, we adjourn after 90 days and during our legislative interim, state and/or world events take an unexpected turn. I would like to see more review and oversight of past legislative actions overall. Do we still need that report, or commission or body? Do we need to make it stronger or redirect resources?
4 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I have been in office since 2003, and it’s all I’ve wanted to do since the age of 5. My passion for public service isn’t a product of Annapolis, or of consultants, or slogans — it’s real. As real as my lifelong residency in Montgomery County, as real as my graduation from Rockville High School, and my return after college to give back to my community; something I do now not only as an elected official, but also as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and at Montgomery College, as a neighbor, a daughter and a wife.
Eric Luedtke (incumbent)
• Where you live: Burtonsville
• Date of birth: Nov. 13, 1981
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Adjunct lecturer, University of Maryland, College Park; former middle school teacher, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): I have served in the Legislature representing District 14 since 2011
• Campaign information:
- email: ericformaryland@gmail.com
- website: www.ericluedtke.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ericformaryland
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericluedtke
1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I ran for the House in 2010 because, as a school teacher, I saw too many kids whose families were struggling. Those kids and those families need more from government, to ensure all kids have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, and a high quality school to attend. While I believe we have made progress, there is still much work to do.
2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
When the Kirwan Commission makes its recommendations later this year, Maryland will have a once in a generation opportunity to transform our schools. I plan to strongly support efforts to provide pre-k for all kids, to ramp up career and technical education programs, and to train, recruit, and retain the best teachers.
3 – What is one major issue the current House has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
I believe that we should aggressively reform our state alcohol laws, particularly those laws that limit the growth of breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Laws that worked post-prohibition no longer make sense today, and are hampering economic growth in the state. For example, there is absolutely no reason to maintain production limits on breweries — in no other industry that I know of do we limit the amount of product a manufacturer is allowed to create.
4 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I have had the honor of representing my district for 8 years, and for the last two, as Chair of the Education Subcommittee. But my experience in the legislature is not what best prepares me for continued service. Rather it is the decade I spent as a classroom teacher that has guided and will continue to guide my work.
Pamela Queen (incumbent)
• Where you live: Olney
• Date of birth: December 1958
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Professor at Morgan State University
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): Maryland state delegate (2016-present); Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (2010-2016)
• Campaign information:
- email: pam@pamelaqueen.com
- website: www.pamelaqueen.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/delpamqueen
1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I am running for State Delegate to continue my efforts to champion challenging issues like affordable childcare, summer meals for needy children, environmental injustice, violence against women, mental illness, and criminal justice reform; work collaboratively with my colleagues to push progressive legislation forward; and listen to all viewpoints to better understand the complexities of each issue. As always, I contemplate the impact of legislation on you — my family, friends, neighbors, and greater community.
2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Voter engagement is an important issue for this election. As with other non-Presidential elections, low voter turnout can change election outcomes. Voter turnout is critical this election year, especially with more candidates, at all levels of our county and state government on the ballot, that are representative of the rich diversity of our county in age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Therefore, to elect candidates that champion concerns important to you, more efforts are needed to engage voters through greater education about issues; face-to-face forums to get to know candidates; and partnerships to energize community groups to “get out the vote.”
3 – What is one major issue the current House has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
The House of Delegates must balance many complex issues with many different perspectives. Despite these challenges, the HOD more times than not implements good policy that improves the lives of many Marylanders. To improve our policy-making, we must act to address the root-cause of social issues with focus on the impact of substance-abuse and mental illness on criminal activity. A key issue that I highlight is the growing pockets of poverty in Montgomery County and its impact on food insecurity, child development, and student achievement. I will continue to champion legislation to address pervasive issues ensuing from poverty.
4 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
My preparation for office in the House of Delegates results from community ties, demonstrated teamwork, personal life experiences, and campaign training. My longstanding residence and community involvement in Montgomery County enables me to understand pertinent community issues. With a working class family of civil servants, skilled laborers, military, and law enforcement, I grasp the complexities of legislation that directly impacts my family, friends, and neighbors. As a graduate of public schools, I know firsthand how college education leads to upward mobility and economic security. With Emerge, Wellstone, and other candidate training, I’ve prepared for elected office.
Paul Ransom
• Where you live: Fairland
• Date of birth: December 13, 1977
• Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two other jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Program officer for the Office of Naval Research
• Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years): I have no previous political experience and have held no office.
• Campaign information:
- email: paulransom77@gmail.com
*did not respond to additional questions