Editor’s note: More than a dozen Democrats and Republicans are running in the May 14 primary election to be their party’s nominee in the race for the 6th Congressional District seat now held by Rep. David Trone (D), who is running for the U.S. Senate. MoCo360 is running profiles of the candidates based on questionnaire answers submitted for our voters guide. Beginning with the Republican candidates, a profile will be published every weekday until the May 2 start of early voting.
Today’s profile features Republican candidate Mariela Roca.
Mariela Roca
Party: Republican
Age: 39
Residence: Frederick
Education: Doctor of business administration, University of Maryland Global Campus; master of business administration, Mount Saint Mary’s University; bachelor of science in information technology, University of Maryland University College; associate in applied science/logistics, Community College of the Air Force
Current/most recent role: Air Force veteran, former federal employee working for U.S. Army at Fort Detrick
Previous political experience: Not applicable
Campaign website: https://rocaforcongress.com/
Why are you running?
I’m running for Congress because I am frustrated with the dysfunction in Congress. There’s too much fighting and not enough things getting done. As a mother, my kids’ future and the future of our country keeps me up at night. Why choose me to represent you in Congress? Because I’ve seen the dysfunction from every angle. I understand how government operates, and I’m ready to hit the ground running on day one.
If elected, what would your priorities be within your first 100 days in Congress?
My priorities within my first 100 days in Congress will be to hold the Biden administration accountable for our open borders and out of control spending. I will work with my colleagues to strengthen our economy, and work towards unleashing U.S. energy here at home, especially with our untapped resources here in western Maryland. I will also work to bring policies that will defend our public safety and national security and will support parents with parental rights, school choice, and women’s rights in sports.
What district-specific issues are you most passionate about and how would you use your platform to address them?
In addition to the priorities mentioned above, I am passionate about veterans’ resources and healthcare. Our VA healthcare system has so many unaddressed systemic issues and fails to provide adequate and timely care to our veterans. As a veteran myself, I get my care 100% through the VA and understand firsthand these issues. Additionally, my experience in medical supply chain logistics is unique in that we need people in Congress that understand how a supply chain is supposed to work, and how we need to fix our crumbling U.S. supply chain and end our dependencies on countries like China.
What do you think Congress’ role should be when it comes to public schools? What can you do to best support the schools?
Safeguarding parental rights, keeping federal interference out of our schools, and advocating for women’s rights are vital components of ensuring a balanced and transparent education system here in the United States. Additionally, parents should not have to co-parent with the government, and we need to keep the government out of our children’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and classrooms.
How should Congress address crime?
First and foremost, Congress should support our law enforcement officers who have been increasingly demoralized in recent years. I would support a nationwide Police Officer Bill of rights. Secondly, our country needs to stop releasing dangerous criminals into our communities. Congress needs to secure our southern border to stop the increase of criminals entering our communities. Additionally, prosecutors should be held accountable for not prosecuting violent crimes and their soft on crime policies.
How should Congress address gun violence?
I am a firm supporter of Americans’ constitutional Second Amendment right to bear arms. Law abiding citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms should not be infringed. Gun violence in America is more about the mental health crisis in this country more than anything else. Congress should work towards how we can turn around the mental health crisis in this country.
The Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade has changed the face of reproductive care access across the country. What should Congress’ role be in the abortion conversation?
I wholeheartedly support the overturning of Roe v. Wade ruling. The decision to regulate abortion should indeed rest with the individual states. This aligns with the principle enshrined in the 10th Amendment: if a matter is not explicitly addressed in the Constitution, it falls within the purview of the states.
The same Supreme Court decision has raised concerns about marriage rights and gender-affirming care access for LGBTQ+ people. How should Congress address this?
The overturning of Roe v. Wade has nothing to do with this issue.
What should Congress’ role be in addressing a changing climate?
Congress should not pass or implement any radical climate policies. American energy production is one of the cleanest in the world, and we need to support American families by lowering energy, electric, and gas prices by producing more energy here at home. America needs to become energy independent. Energy is a critical element of productivity and allows America to compete on an international scale with the rest of the world. If we really care about clean energy, America should take a closer look at the cleanest energy source possible which is nuclear energy.
Is there anything else you want to share with prospective voters?
I fully stand with and support Israel – and will always support Israel as the only democracy and our greatest ally in the Middle East. The state of Israel unequivocally upholds the rights of all its citizens, including those of Israeli Arabs. Within Israel, Israeli Arabs share and have the same legal rights as Jewish Israelis, and not only possess the freedom to hold office but also stand eligible for election, reinforcing Israel’s steadfast dedication to fairness and equal opportunity for all its citizens within its democracy.
This is the second in a series of candidate profiles. Check out the first profile here.
