Cheryl Riley
Party: Republican
Age: 59
City/town of residence: North Bethesda
Education: Montgomery College, University of Maryland
Current/most recent role: Public relations strategist
Previous political experience: Candidate for Montgomery County Council District 4 in 2022
Campaign website: https://www.cheryl4maryland.com/
Why are you running?
I’m running because I want to make things better for my neighbors and the country at large. Montgomery County is where my father and his six siblings grew up. It’s where I grew up. And it’s where I live and work today. However, though I love this community, it’s seen better times. People can’t afford the quality of life their parents enjoyed. They feel unsafe. There’s a sense the world order this country had established is falling apart. That is, I’m running because I don’t want to sit idly by while our country goes to ruin. We can do better.
If elected, what would your priorities be within your first 100 days in Congress?
My biggest priorities for my first 100 days in Congress are supporting legislation that secures the border, strengthens our criminal justice system and reduces inflation.
What district-specific issues are you most passionate about and how would you use your platform to address them?
In the district, people are suffering from crime and struggling with the affordable housing crisis. If elected, I would use my platform to address these issues as often as possible and work with my colleagues at the state and local to level to identify and support legislative and community solutions.
What do you think Congress’ role should be when it comes to public schools? What can you do to best support the schools?
Congress has a responsibility to ensure our public schools serve their purpose: education. So much discussion surrounding the role of public schools at the moment is tied up in discussing culture war pet projects and grievances, when it should rather be focused on how to best impart the education the next generation needs to succeed. We need to fight for public schools that actually teach the basics as well as practical skills. And all the while, we need to fight to make sure the concerns of parents are neither dismissed nor neglected.
How should Congress address crime?
Congress should remember that our criminal justice system is there for the sake of justice and not criminals. We have to enforce the law and to do that we actually have to punish the people who break it. That is, we have to fight crime as aggressively as the IRS collects taxes.
How should Congress address gun violence?
Congress should address gun violence like any other type of violence: by aggressively supporting policies that bring criminals to justice.
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?
Abortion is both a very important and divisive issue. While I don’t personally support it, I believe that its legality is a discussion best had on the state and not federal level. That said, Congress should make sure taxpayer dollars are not being used to fund abortions.
The same Supreme Court decision has raised concerns about marriage rights and gender-affirming care access for LGBTQ+ people. How should Congress address this?
Members of Congress need to communicate clearly with their constituents about these important issues. With regard to marriage, I don’t think Congress needs to make any hasty alterations to the status quo. However, with regard to serious and often irreversible medical interventions, Congress needs to act quickly to protect children. There is a world of difference between recognizing the freedom of adults to make certain choices and allowing people to make those same choices for children.
What should Congress’ role be in addressing a changing climate?
The environment is important, especially in the long run. But if we don’t address many of our legislative problems now there will be no long run. That is, before Congress can have the luxury of addressing concerns about our climate, it has to address the changes happening right now that are endangering our safety, peace, and prosperity.
Is there anything else you want to share with prospective voters?
I’d like to share that though I’m a Republican, I hope to represent everyone: the people who support me, the people who don’t, and even the people who’ve never heard my name. Whenever someone goes to Congress with only some of their constituents in mind, they fail at their job. If I win, whether you’ve voted for me or not, I’m putting you first!
