Democrat
Linda Foley
What office are you running for? General Assembly: House of Delegates
Political party: Democratic
Where you live: Potomac
Date of birth: March 10, 1955
Current occupation and employer:
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Former chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. Former national president of The News Guild-CWA, the union that represents journalists and other media workers.
Political experience:
Incumbent delegate representing District 15. Elected to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in 2018 representing District 15.
Website: https://foleyfor15.com
Email: info@foleyfor15.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/lindafoley15
Twitter: @Foleyfor15
Instagram: Foleyfor_D15
Why are you running for this office?
I have enjoyed living in Montgomery County and District 15 for decades. I want to make life for residents of my district even better than it already is, and I have the skills and experience to deliver for them. The legislation we pass in Annapolis has a direct and immediate impact on people’s lives.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
The prospect of Roe V. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court is the most important issue facing us in 2023. Although Roe being overturned will not change the right to safe and legal abortion in Maryland, we should pass a bill to put a constitutional amendment enshrining a woman’s right to choose and control her own body to the voters.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
I was criticized by some constituents for my support of a bill expanding access to abortion and reproductive health services. I thanked them for their interest and explained that I strongly believe women should have control over their own bodies and their own health.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
As chair of the local Democratic Party, I gained insight and experience in Montgomery County politics. I have worked on many campaigns over the years, from local state delegate races to presidential campaigns. What I learned in my career as a union negotiator helps me reach consensus with fellow legislators. As a union organizer, I learned how to mobilize and move people to achieve results.
David Fraser-Hidalgo
What office are you running for? General Assembly: House of Delegates
Political party: Democrat
Where you live: Boyds
Date of birth: 1969
Current occupation and employer:
I have been a Maryland state delegate representing District 15 for the last 9 years. I have been a business owner, ran a web site development firm for 11 years and in law enforcement as a Montgomery County police officer.
Political experience:
I ran for the House of Delegates in 2010 and lost. In 2013 I was appointed to House of Delegates and ran successful election campaigns in 2014 and 2018.
Why are you running for this office?
I have served the residents of Montgomery County both as a police officer and as a Maryland state delegate. I do this because my parents instilled a sense of public service within our family, a sense of duty to give back to the community. I have worked hard as a delegate to make Maryland and Montgomery County a better place to work, live, play and raise kids. I have been particularly successful having worked on climate change and women’s reproductive rights related policy and if re-elected plan to continue work on climate change and equality-related issues. I love being a delegate and would like to continue to serve in the capacity of “making the world a better place.”
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
In the General Assembly we have worked hard to ensure Maryland remains and state in which we guarantee a women’s right to choose. This past legislative session we worked hard to strengthen those rights and continually fight for women’s reproductive choices and freedoms. I will continue to work in whatever capacity is needed to strengthen and protect those rights.
I have worked hard in the past nine years to address a wide verity of issues, climate change being one of those issues. I’ve had a good bit of success, securing tax incentives for the purchase of electric cars, policy and programs to transition school buses around the state from diesel to electric school buses and a ban on hydraulic fracturing. I’ve also worked on drunk driving policy having won Legislator of the Year by MADD and Legislator of the Year for the Women’s Caucus for my work on sexual harassment. I plan to continue working on these and other issues.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
I do the best I can to balance my decisions based on the best available information I have at the time a decision or vote must be taken. Furthermore, I and my office do the very best we can to address constituent needs/questions (help people). With all that said, sometimes on certain rare occasions we just can’t make everyone happy, we always do the best we can no matter the issues.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I have been a state delegate for the last nine years, serving on the Environment and Transportation Committee. I was born in Ecuador, am an immigrant and I have run a small business and am a former Montgomery County police officer. As a widower I am raising two children in Montgomery County and they are attending MCPS. I believe this wide diverse set of experiences has prepared me well and has continued to guide me in the decisions I’ve made to help improve the lives of Marylanders.
Lily Qi
What office are you running for? General Assembly: House of Delegates
Political party: Democrat
Where you live: North Potomac
Date of birth: Nov. 4, 1963
Current occupation and employer:
State delegate, Maryland General Assembly
Assistant chief administrative officer, Montgomery County
Vice president, Washington, D.C., Economic Partnership
Political experience:
This is my first term as an elected official. I have been politically active in the local community for many years but my 2018 election was my first campaign.
Website: https://www.lilyqi.com/
Email: info@lilyqi.com
Facebook: /lilyqi.com
Twitter: @lilyqi.com
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for state delegate because Maryland state policies have an oversized impact on Montgomery County as the largest jurisdiction. Whether it’s education and transportation funding, climate solutions, small business support, or women’s rights and voting rights, state legislature’s work affects every aspect of our life. I also believe we need greater representation from the Asian and immigrant communities in policymaking.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
While there are many important issues in this election such as economic growth, gun safety and reproductive health, a fundamental issue is how to elevate our regional and national competitiveness and make sure Maryland wins and leads in this new economic dynamic in attracting talent and investments. I will continue to champion entrepreneurship, innovation economy, and removing barriers for growing business in Maryland so we can have a growing tax base to afford the quality education and quality of life we’ve come to expect.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
I have been criticized for supporting some controversial pieces of legislation such as death with dignity and women’s rights to choose. As with any criticism, I reached out to my constituents to explain my positions and emphasized that even though we disagreed on certain issues, we can respect how our life experiences and value systems have shaped who we are. These issues are inevitably difficult and deeply personal, and I not only respected their positions but also wanted them to know I appreciated their outreach.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
As a first term state delegate, I have passed over a dozen bills on a broad range of issues related to clean energy innovation, growing tech and manufacturing jobs, supporting small business, and advancing the interests of LGBTQ communities and homecare workers. I’ve been a community leader for nearly two decades and got many other immigrants involved in local civic and political life. My life experience from two political systems and professional background in local government and economic development also give me unique insights into many policy issues that affect our diverse communities.
Brian Feldman
What office are you running for? General Assembly: Senate
Political party: Democrat
Where you live: Potomac
Date of birth: Feb. 4, 1961
Current occupation and employer:
Maryland state senator
Adjunct professor, University of Maryland
Attorney
Political experience:
Maryland state senator, September 2013-Present
Maryland state delegate, 2003-September 2013
Website: https://www.BrianJFeldman.com
Email: BrianJFeldman@comcast.net
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BrianJeffreyFeldman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianJFeldman
Why are you running for this office?
To build upon my previous legislative work and successes in the General Assembly in several key subject areas important to improving the quality of life of my constituents and all Marylanders. These include: health care, clean energy, climate change, economic development, and investing in and modernizing our transportation/transit infrastructure.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
Crafting policies to fight climate change which also help build a vibrant, growing economy. With our educated talent pool and strategic assets, Maryland should lead the nation in the creation of high paying green jobs. As lead sponsor of the landmark Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 requiring Maryland to obtain 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 (which will produce 20,000 new in-state solar jobs), I hope to lead the debate in the General Assembly in the next term on how best to build upon that legislation.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
I have been criticized at times for not being more confrontational and/or partisan. In response, my personal engagement style in the General Assembly has allowed me to build strong relationships with legislators from around the state and across the political spectrum, which in turn has made it easier for me to successfully collaborate with them to pass important legislation to improve the lives of my constituents and all Marylanders.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I have served in the General Assembly for five terms, first in the House of Delegates and currently in the state Senate. I have received numerous honors/awards and have held several leadership positions, including my current role as Vice-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Prior to being elected, I served as a U.S. Department of Justice attorney and am currently a Tax Attorney/CPA in private practice. Based on all these experiences, I will be able to successfully build on my legislative successes during the next term if I am honored to be re-elected.
Republican
Jodi Noah (Information not submitted)
Stacey Sauter (Information not submitted)
Matt Wade
What office are you running for? General Assembly: House of Delegates
Political party: Republican
Where you live: Potomac
Date of birth: Sept. 30, 1967
Current occupation and employer:
Business development executive for Fortune 50 Company
Political experience:
In the mid 1970s I was elected president of the Candy Club. It was located in a small white house behind 8319 Haddon Drive. Once a week members crossed cultural and racial lines and successfully performed high intensity negotiations trading valuables such as Alexander the Grape , Fun Dip and Zotz. Even the disinformation regarding Bubble Yum and spider eggs did not impede success. We solved the problems of our world at the time. Fast forward 50 years here we are again – same players, different product, same game, same goals – I am ready to move forward fast for success. Thank you in advance that there have been no unsuccessful campaigns to date and with your partnership that streak will continue.
Website: https://mattwade4moco.com
Email: matt@mattwade4moco.com
Why are you running for this office?
I’ve been a resident of this county for 54 years. I have fond memories and growing up in Takoma Park and living in multiple parts of this county throughout the years. This county has been very good to me and my family. I’m running because I know with our resources we should be achieving better results for our residents. There are many positive elements but we need an extra push to reach the pride and success of years past. Decisions made at the state level trickle down and provide the framework for our county.I plan to represent my district in our state capital to accelerate growth in our county.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
Our children and grandchildren. We must educate them properly. Our children are the future leaders of our county, nation and world.
We are not giving our children and our county the best opportunity for success. MCPS used to rank No. 1 in the country. Now we pride ourselves of being No. 1 in the state where only 15% of children are proficient in math. MCPS acts more like Enron than a taxpayer funded entity. Teachers are overloaded and afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs. Information is hidden from parents. I intend to address this by providing our teachers need more support and tools to do their jobs. Funds received from the State will accompany requirements for true in class student teacher ratios. Parents will also have transparency. We be able to see what our children are being taught.
What is one major issue that has been handled poorly and what would you have done differently?
Growing our economy.
Simply drive across the American Legion Bridge.
Virginia gets Amazon Corporate HQ and we get the warehouse?!
We have one of the highest tax rates in the nation.
Businesses are averse to our cumbersome regulations.
We will model best practices of the fastest growing cities and have less regulations on business.
Demanding proper education will result in higher paying jobs and attract more high-quality employers.
Social programs will be a multi-step process required to educate and empower residents in a way that leads to prosperity.
High quality business will want to be here, we won’t have to chase them or beg them.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I am passionate and driven about the world we leave for our children.
I graduated from Montgomery Blair High School and studied industrial and electrical engineering as an undergraduate.
I completed a graduate executive program at Georgetown University in international business management and marketing.
I have managed hundreds of employees.
I have aided and built businesses creating millions in new revenue and adding new jobs in Maryland.
I have worked directly with billion-dollar development corporations of low income housing and eye to eye with recipients of housing aid.
I am aware of the gaps in the pipeline and know how to address housing issues holistically.
I am ready to work for you.
