Republicans (pick one)

 

 

Gregory Thomas Coll

Where you live: Rockville

Date of birth: 11/18/81

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Systems engineer team manager; Science Applications International Corporation; senior principal systems engineer; Orbital ATK; senior propulsion engineer, Orbital Sciences Corporation

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): N/A

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I, Gregory Coll, am very happy to announce my run for U.S. Congress Maryland District 8 to represent the people. Work in Washington is at a standstill, I, Gregory Coll, want to stop the distractions and keep focus on the key issues impacting Americans including: employment, budget, healthcare, education, climate and our environment, military and defense, gun violence, and the national space policy. Please check out the campaign website at www.gregorycoll.com for more information.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
The most important issue is terrorism and national security. I, Gregory Coll, believe the U.S. needs a strong military with an emphasis on defense to combat growing threats domestically and abroad. Staying ahead in military technology is critical to maintaining U.S. global leadership and keeping our communities safe at home. Maryland is a leader in the field and has one of the largest defense contractors in District 8. I, Gregory Coll, want to develop the high technology systems that are required for the U.S. military and the defense of the nation.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
Endless, unfair attacks to obstruct President Trump’s administration from getting things done for America is a major issue with the current Congress. Some radical House Democrats have been attempting to block/obstruct rather than act in good faith ever since Trump’s election. As your representative in Congress, I, Gregory Coll, will focus efforts in specific areas on issues that are important to you, my constituents. This will be done in the United States Congressional Committees (20 of them in the House of Representatives, plus numerous sub-committees). Please check out the campaign website at www.gregorycoll.com for more information.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
I, Gregory Coll, believe patients should come first in the U.S. healthcare system. Healthcare systems run by governments are inefficient, reduce standards of care, and diminish patient and physician relationships. A healthcare system based in free market principals, promotes competition, drives down costs and gives the power to the patients and physicians caring for them. I, Gregory Coll, believe Flexible Spending Accounts unspent money should roll over with no restrictions. Please check out the campaign website at www.gregorycoll.com for more information.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
Reasons I, Gregory Coll, am qualified: problem solver and systematic thinker that understands the big picture, with the skills to manage large problems on a global scale, with firsthand knowledge of working with other countries and members of Congress on national issues; proven leader, who has foresight to get ahead of problems, delegate effectively with direct experience in building coalitions with other leaders, including serving on the Liquid Propulsion Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics since 2013; an experienced manager with skills of modern technological tools for scheduling, costing, staffing, and risk management.

 

 

Bridgette L. Cooper

Where you live: Silver Spring

Date of birth: 1/2/68

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Classical singer, producer, podcast and TV host. Music education advocate. Director of operations for a small business located in downtown Silver Spring,

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Ran in Republican primary for 8th District in Congress in 2018

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I am running for U.S. Congress because it is my civic responsibility as an active and engaged member of society. I am running for office to be of service to all mankind. I want to challenge the concept of what it means to be a conservative woman of color in today’s political climate. It is no longer about “us” or “them.” It is about all of us.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
The most critical issue in this race has to do with the ability to Restore the American Dream by addressing a few main components: education, community, health care, immigration reform, sustainable agriculture and environment, veteran rights, and free enterprise.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
One major issue the current Congress has handled poorly is the inability to work together to resolve conflict on the issues that affect constituents. We have to be “all in” on issues that affect us on a local and national level, including the economy, health care, protecting 2nd Amendment rights with common sense gun control legislation, and more.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
I would do away with predatory insurance companies that do not provide enough information and services regarding treatment and the cost of covering catastrophic illnesses. Eradicate companies utilizing extorted pharmaceutical prices that prevent those living on a fixed income from getting the medications necessary to treat chronic diseases, and the impact that low or no-cost insurance has on small businesses. Increase funding for medical research and preventative care.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
My combined personal, academic, and professional experience have prepared me for this monumental task of being a public servant and efficiently representing District 8. I am committed to Restoring the American Dream by eradicating the ongoing education achievement gap, lack of quality health insurance for individuals, easing regulations that impact small businesses, lowering the cost of prescription medications, banning the overuse of toxic chemicals, which affects climate change. I am sensitive to the challenges faced by our veterans, teachers, small-business owners, and creative artists. I am dedicated to working towards solutions to keep our county moving forward.

 

 

Nicholas Gladden

Where you live: Harford County

Date of birth: 7/13/88

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: federal project manager

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Worked on other campaigns, but this is the first time running for me.

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
For a multitude of reasons, but in District 8, we have real problems and we have elected officials who refuse to see or listen to their constituents. …

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Our constitutional rights. Every day, we wake up to something new that the radical left wants to take away. Our rights are taken away, but the illegals that are coming in are getting treated better than the citizens. Ask yourself this: Have you been waiting on a list to get Section 8 housing? Has it been 1 to 3 years? Well, that’s because illegals get to jump the list to the top. We need to focus on us right now before we can help anyone else.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
USMCA trade agreement. The House took out intellectual property protections. They force other countries to enforce laws, so no one can steal your inventions if they are patented. For example, the agreement was to protect intellectual property of drug companies for 15 years. Once we invented a new drug, that drug had to be bought from the company here who makes it. That lets the company lower pricing here in the USA and reinvest money into making new drugs. But the House took that out, so other countries can rip us off and the U.S. people are eating the bill.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
As of right now, nothing. I believe the ACA is working and I’m glad we got rid of the fine for those who don’t need it. But I do believe we need to make it more affordable and keep the protections for pre-existing conditions.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
As of right now, I do a lot of federal work. I work with a number of different agencies and once I get elected, the job will fit just like a glove.

 

 

Patricia Rogers

Where you live: Wheaton

Date of birth: 11/26/82

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

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Worked on other campaigns, but this is the first time running for me.

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I enjoy and am committed to service. In 1996, I participated in activities that sought to make my school drug free. This led to a Character Counts award from the city of Gaithersburg’s mayor, Ed, Bohrer and vouncil. And in 2001, I was awarded the city of Gaithersburg’s W. Edward Bohrer Jr. Memorial Character Counts Scholarship for exhibiting the character of caring. Our country needs leaders that have character and care now more than ever.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Immigration reform is important to me. I do not want to see sanctuary cities in Maryland that violate federal laws and protect criminals and drug dealers instead of protecting local residents. I want to see comprehensive immigration reform that is fair to all immigrants applying to come to our country. I would like to see the immigration bill (S.874) that Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced in 2019 to become law.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
Immigration has been handled poorly by Congress. I would work to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
I would vote to continue the Affordable Care Act. We cannot throw the baby out with the bath water. I will vote to continue the ACA, but work on how and what states do with federal funds to make health care more affordable on the exchanges in regards to Medicaid subsidy and Medicare and private insurance premiums.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I was displaced from my home at age 7. I was raised by my American stepmother of Caribbean descent and African father. I immigrated to the United States in 1994, with my siblings following 10 years later. Me and my family had to start completely over again in our new community in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. I’m a local. I attended Montgomery County Public Schools and got an Associate’s Degree from Montgomery College, a BA in political science from The American University School of Public Affairs, and a certificate in Women, Policy and Political Leadership from the Women and Politics Institute.

 

 

Shelly Skolnick

Where you live: Chevy Chase

Date of birth: 5/6/43

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Attorney, Skolnick Law Firm, P.C.

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): Prior (unsuccessful) campaigns for Montgomery County Council at large and U.S. House of Representatives

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I want to end gridlock in Congress by being a moderate to encourage affordable solutions.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
My campaign motto is “Make American Fair To All (MAFTA).” One area of fairness is my proposal to make Social Security tax-free at age 70.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
Congress has failed to raise the minimum wage. For minors and workers at companies with less than $1 million of annual revenue, I would increase the minimum wage to $8/hour. For workers at companies with annual revenue between $1 million and $1 billion, I would increase the minimum wage to $15/hour. For workers at company with annual revenue over $1 billion, I would increase the minimum wage to $20/hour.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
I would offer two public purchase options for U.S. citizens to purchase Medicaid or Medicare insurance.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
As a resident at seven locations of Montgomery County for over 40 years, I am aware of the many problems that need to be solved by Congress.

 

 

Michael Yadeta

Where you live: Silver Spring

Date of birth: 4/4/87

Current occupation and employer (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Delta Engineering Group LLC

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions): First time

Campaign information:

1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
I was born from Ethiopian home in Silver Spring. I am civil engineer and construction trainer for booming economy of communities. Since 2012, I am Republican, not only because it’s the party of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Abraham Lincoln, and more, but because I came from conservative family with rich African heritage. I am running for Congress to legislate laws that put family first and build trust between communities and law enforcement.

2 – What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words max)
Liberal government took away American values, fake promises after promises, bureaucratic government made their chain to block President Donald Trump, treated him as outsider. Just because the president didn’t do intern with their establishment or not agreed to endless Middle East war that took millions of American soldiers and billions of dollars loss. The fake news attack the president on daily basis.

3 – What is one major issue the current Congress has handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words max)
The have the majority house and repeatedly drag the president with baseless shameful equations, hate. They are treating a visionary president who has recovered America that have morally broken from the glory of founding fathers. That is why I promise that day one of my election in office, I will legislate opportunities for business and training for all Marylanders.

4 – What changes, if any, would you make to the U.S. health care system? (100 words max)
When I think of the abundant opportunities, “the sky is the limit,” but we took it for granted. Instead of moving forward for prosperous economy in our counties and our states, we blame and choose to stigmatize Hollywood movie. Our race, color, where we came from should have been our beauty and diversity. Corporate Hollywood movies are reminding us what happened 300 years just to create controversy and revenge prepared by liberal ideologies leading millions of minorities not to have today’s opportunity at hand and change to power and economy, but past grievances that only adds nothing to our communities.

5 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I have working experience in more than 20 African countries, earned vast experience to represent this communities for the safety of all communities, knowledge of almost all memories residing in Montgomery County. I speak Kiswahili, Ethiopian, and Zambian, helps to communicate, reach any voters to win for conservative core values. Imagining what one must go through to be part of this great nation on Earth. After all, it puzzles me why someone must be homeless or hangry or put under worst circumstances at the same time.