U.S. Congress, District 6, Democrats

Democrats (pick one)

 

 

Maxwell A. Bero

Where you live: Clarksburg

Date of birth: 2/12/90

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Teacher; Montgomery County Public Schools

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): None

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I’m running for this office because I believe that now is the time for bold, progressive change in our country, and I’m tired of seeing Congress fail to deliver. I believe that addressing climate change, providing universal health care for all Americans, improving public education, and other progressive plans are both possible and necessary in our time, and I want to fight to make them a reality for my district.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. Human action has accelerated the change in our climate, and we are seeing the consequences of that change, from shifting weather patterns across the world and humanitarian crises in equatorial countries. The United States needs to be a global leader on this issue by passing the Green New Deal here at home, and rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and working with other countries to develop solutions for climate change. Doing nothing will only continue to fuel climate change, and soon the consequences will be irreversible.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
I have been especially dissatisfied with the way Congress has handled large internet corporations and internet regulation. Net Neutrality is a vital policy in the 21st century, as it protects the rights of citizens and small businesses in the face of multi-billion-dollar companies. Congress also has not gone far enough to protect citizens’ data privacy, and has allowed companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Google to monetize citizens’ data, as well as monopolize cloud services across the entire economy. Congress needs to put regulations on these companies to preserve economic competition and protect citizens’ privacy.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
I would like to see a universal, single-payer health care system in this country. Currently, health care spending in the United States is higher than in any other country in the world, and not everyone has access to it. There is no reason, in the richest country in human history, for any citizen to go without health care. Single-payer health care would also separate health care from employment, meaning that people wouldn’t have to base employment decisions on their health coverage, and Americans of all income levels would be able to receive the care they, and their families, need.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
For the past 8 years, I’ve taught U.S. History and American Government to students of all levels in some of the most struggling areas of Montgomery County. I’ve seen firsthand how their lives have been affected by government policy of all levels, and I know progressive policies like universal health care and improved public transportation, among others, can completely change Americans’ lives. As a teacher and coach, I’m used to figuring out ways to motivate and inspire others, and develop creative solutions to problems, and I’m prepared to do the same in Washington.

 

 

David J. Trone

Where you live: Potomac

Date of birth: 9/21/55

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Co-founder and co-owner, Total Wine and More

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Member of Congress, Maryland District 6, 2019-present. Candidate for Congress, Maryland District 8, 2016.

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
Since taking office, I’ve fought for those without a voice, by writing and passing legislation aimed at improving education, reforming the criminal justice system, and ending the opioid epidemic that is crippling our communities. But there is still more work to be done, and that’s why I remain committed to this fight.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
In 2018, the last year we have statistics, nearly 70,000 Americans died from a drug-related overdose. Thousands more struggle every day with substance use disorder. That’s why my number-one priority in Congress is fighting this epidemic. In my first year in office, I formed the bipartisan Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, bringing together members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to collaborate with experts to find real solutions. In December, the House passed a bill I authored, the State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act, which would secure $7.5 billion for states to respond to this crisis.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
The House of Representatives has passed more than 400 bills that are currently sitting on Mitch McConnell’s desk. Of these bills, more than 275 enjoy broad bipartisan support. It is unconscionable that Sen. McConnell refuses to act to make progress for the American people. I remain committed to working on impactful, bipartisan legislation rather than resorting to partisan fighting.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped millions of people access care, and it has played a crucial role as a step toward universal coverage. While we work to stop the administration from sabotaging the ACA, we also need to work to build a health care system that lives up to our values and guarantees health care as a human right. I support allowing every American to buy into Medicare, creating a public health insurance option, expanding Medicaid in every state, cracking down on price gouging by Big Pharma, and allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I watched as my family’s farm went bankrupt and we had to make some tough decisions about our future. While attending graduate school, I started a small business with just one store to help support my struggling family. Using innovative solutions and with the help of my team members, I took that store and grew it into a national brand with over 6,000 associates. I bring the same mindset and determination to solving issues like opioids, criminal justice reform, and education. Building a team and a business taught me the lesson that long-term thinking is crucial to meaningful progress.