By Adam Pagnucco.
All parts of the United States have needs, and the federal government is the only layer of government in the country that can literally print money to meet them. (I bet our state local officials would love to have that power!) So let’s find out what these candidates would do for their district.
What is the most pressing need your district has from the federal government and how would you obtain it?
Jason “Mr. J” Johnson (Unaffiliated): The most pressing needs the federal government can address for my district are on the topics of: Education, Infrastructure, and Inflation. I am committed to collaborating with bipartisan leaders in Congress to craft and introduce legislation that secures essential funding for our district’s education and infrastructure needs. Moreover, I will advocate for swift action on a spending bill aimed at alleviating inflationary pressures on consumers. It is imperative that we address these critical issues to ensure the well-being and prosperity of our community.
Peter Choharis (Democrat): The Sixth District is large and diverse, but voters across the District tell me that economic growth is a top priority.
I will work to continue Rep. Trone’s success at ensuring that the MD-6 gets its fair share of federal funding, such as FY24’s $16 million in Community Project Funding in the District—making him one of the top 10 Democrats in securing such funding.
Beyond the federal government, I want to bring Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) to all five counties in the MD-6. There are 15 CDFIs in Maryland, none of them are in the Sixth District. These can provide concessionary loans, investment capital, and financial services to benefit small businesses and low-income housing. I’m the only candidate proposing this.
I support a “Right to Start” for business startups—from high tech to florists to restaurants—that would include streamlining government forms and applications and offering tax and fee holidays for businesses younger than five years old. I’m the only candidate supporting this.
I will bring my knowledge of fostering U.S. startups to work with MD-6 communities to attract private investment capital. I want to be the first “Incubator Member of Congress.”
George Gluck (Democrat): Jobs – recovering more than 70,000 Maryland jobs lost to NAFTA, and bringing jobs using new technologies to CD6, like hydroponic farming.
Ashwani Jain (Democrat): I spend every day of the week canvassing across this district and from Montgomery County to Garrett our residents are concerned about cost of living. That is why I’m fighting for Medicare For All, Canceled Student Debt, Free Public College and a $26 minimum wage by 2030. This brings up every worker’s salary up to the national average of $55K a year, helps our economy, reduces poverty and crime rates, expands our tax base and helps businesses find, hire and retain workers.
Lesley Lopez (Democrat): Western Maryland is seeing huge growth and in order to ensure that this is sustainable, we need investments, including federal money, to build new schools and transportation options. Frederick County is seeing enough population growth to require a new school every year, and we need federal support to ensure that we have the infrastructure for our growing population. This money is vital for supporting our short- and long-term transportation and infrastructure needs.
Tekesha Martinez (Democrat): The most pressing need that Maryland’s 6th district has from the federal government is investment in connecting and uplifting our communities through education and transportation. With state funding shortfalls, they need federal attention. As Congresswoman, I would advocate for additional school funding to build desperately needed new locations and retain teachers. I believe that Pre-K through 12 education should be freely and justly available to all, and we must ensure that federal funding can close the gap to ensure that every student, regardless of zip code, has access to a high quality education. In addition, we must pay teachers more to ensure that our educators can afford to live in the communities they serve.
As for transportation and connecting the communities in Maryland’s 6th district, aging infrastructure must be repaired to serve our fast-growing region. Expanding public transportation with new federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is key. We cannot pass up the opportunity to leverage these investments and guarantee things like all-day MARC access from Brunswick to DC and the expansion of the MARC train to more communities in the 6th district, including to Cumberland County.
April McClain Delaney (Democrat): Maryland’s 6th District needs more broad based economic development, it needs better transportation solutions, it needs help tackling the mental health and addiction crisis plaguing families and communities, it needs access to more affordable healthcare and housing, it needs relief from inflation and it’s amazing natural beauty needs to be protected from the impacts of climate change. As a former senior level Biden appointee, a seasoned advocate with a track record of getting things done on Capitol Hill and deep relationships in Congress, I will hit the ground running day one ready to serve to (i) bring transportation and mental health resources to the 6th through the appropriation process, (ii) work with the private sector and my former colleagues in the Biden Administration to ensure key programs like CHIPS and the IRA reach the District and create jobs, and (iii) I will work with Congressional colleagues like Nancy Pelosi who endorsed me to be a leader and pass laws to tackle tech addiction, privacy, lower drug costs, expand affordable housing and take climate action. I will also, of course, defend a woman’s right to choose that is under attack.
Laurie-Anne Sayles (Democrat): After speaking with Maryland residents, I have identified three major concerns that are of utmost importance to them. These issues are the opioid epidemic and its impact on safe communities, especially in rural areas, the lack of quality jobs and investments in transportation infrastructure, and the struggling education system.
As a member of Congress, I plan to address the opioid epidemic by increasing funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, improving prescription drug monitoring, supporting law enforcement agencies, and investing in research for pain management and natural alternatives. Additionally, I will advocate for increased investments in rural infrastructure to attract quality jobs and transportation infrastructure to encourage businesses to locate in rural areas, provide training and education programs for workers, and support small businesses and entrepreneurship. To improve our struggling education systems, we must increase school funding, support teacher training and professional development, invest in technology and digital resources, and encourage partnerships between rural schools and local businesses.
By addressing these issues comprehensively and bipartisanally, Congress can help ensure the well-being and safety of all communities, especially rural areas, and promote economic growth and opportunity for all.
Joe Vogel (Democrat): Too many Americans lack a clear path to a good-paying job. We need to change that. The first pillar of my approach is education; we need to increase K-12 budgets to attract and retain talent in public schools, and invest in free community college, apprenticeships, and certification programs for young Americans. Second: forward-looking investment. We need to support the creation of jobs in the industries of tomorrow: clean energy, electric vehicles, software design. Third: organized labor. We need to empower unions so the jobs we create give Americans the benefits they need to look after themselves and their families. The federal government will play a critical role in this work. Congress alone can mobilize the resources required to make community college free and fund job-training pipelines across the country. Federal investments and trade policies like the Chips and Science Act are the key to developing the industries of the future and creating good-paying jobs at home. Congress must also pass legislation like the PRO Act, giving unions a greater ability to advocate for their members and codify worker and union protections into law. I am determined to take these steps to promote American interests as District 06’s representative in Congress.
Chris Hyser (Republican): In District 6, our most pressing need is to enhance the economy and infrastructure while securing the southern border to promote job growth. To address this, I propose a comprehensive approach. Firstly, I would advocate for federal funding directed towards infrastructure projects, focusing on the widening of I-270, I-70, and I-81, as well as bridges and broadband expansion to bolster connectivity and attract investment. Simultaneously, securing our southern border is crucial for national security, economic stability, and preventing illegal drug incursion. I would collaborate with federal agencies to implement effective border security measures while ensuring humane treatment of migrants. Additionally, I would promote policies incentivizing job creation through tax incentives for small businesses investing in our district, alongside workforce development programs to equip residents with skills needed for emerging industries. By prioritizing these initiatives and fostering collaboration between local, state, and federal entities, we can address our district’s most pressing needs and pave the way for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
Neil Parrott (Republican): As a traffic engineer, I’m particularly passionate about improving north/south roadways. These north/south roadways in the district need to be widened to improve safety and to increase capacity in the region. I-81, US 219, and I-270 all need to be widened. I would push for federal funds for these needed transportation improvements. Doing this will improve transportation of goods to and through the area, and will bring more investment and business to western Maryland.
Recent polls showed crime to be voters’ number one issue in Montgomery County and in Maryland as a whole. Congress can block radical pro-crime legislation that keeps repeat offenders on the streets, prevents police from doing their jobs, and discourages new hires.
Congress must mandate the enforcement of our existing immigration laws and secure the open border. The number of illegal aliens entering our country since Biden took office exceeds the entire Maryland population. The uncontrolled border results in fentanyl deaths, human trafficking, increased violent crime, and unsustainable social program costs.
Mariela Roca (Republican): The most pressing need for our district from the federal government is job creation in Western Maryland. Despite national economic growth, our region has struggled to attract sufficient employment opportunities, impacting families’ livelihoods. To address this, I propose a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, advocating for targeted federal investment in infrastructure projects tailored to our region’s needs can stimulate job growth. Secondly, incentivizing businesses through tax breaks and grants to establish operations in Western Maryland can diversify our economy and create employment opportunities. Additionally, supporting vocational training programs and partnerships with local industries can equip our workforce with the skills needed to fill these new jobs. Lastly, fostering entrepreneurship by providing resources and mentorship to local startups can cultivate a vibrant business ecosystem. By actively engaging with federal agencies, lobbying for funding, and collaborating with local stakeholders, we can effectively address this pressing need and ensure that Maryland families have access to good-paying jobs for a sustainable future.
Brenda Thiam (Republican): The furthest west of District Six needs better jobs that bring a decent income to enable people to take care of their families. Manufacturing jobs seem to be the topic of conversation with many of the voters I have talked to while out on the campaign trail. I will be a representative who will seek out those partnerships and relationships to bring better jobs to mainly Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties.
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These candidates did not respond.
Stephen McDow (D)
Mohammed Mozumder (D)
Adrian Petrus (D)
Destiny Drake West (D)
Kiambo “Bo” White (D)
Altimont Wilks (D)
Dan Cox (R)
Todd Puglisi (R)
Tom Royals (R)
Moshe Landman (Green)
Next: unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.