Democrat
David Trone
Where you live: Potomac
Date of birth: Sept. 21, 1955
Current occupation and employer:
U.S. representative for Maryland’s 6th District since January 2019
Founder and CEO of Total Wine and More (Retired in January 2019)
Political experience:
U.S. representative for Maryland’s 6th District since January 2019.
Previously ran for U.S. Representative in Maryland’s 8th District in 2016.
Website: http://www.davidtrone.com
Email: david@davidtrone.com
Facebook: facebook.com/davidjtrone
Twitter: twitter.com/davidjtrone
Instagram: n/a
Why are you running for this office?
I believe that many of the serious issues facing our community can be solved with hard work, bipartisanship, and a long-term vision for our future. Whether it’s working to end the opioid crisis, improving access to mental health resources, or responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve proven time after time what we’re capable of. We’ve achieved so much over the last few years — but there’s much more to be done. That’s why I’m running.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
Over 100,000 Americans died of an overdose last year. That’s 100,000 families who suffered the pain of losing a loved one to a totally preventable disease. They deserve better. This epidemic is more than just a public health crisis — it’s a threat to our economy and our national security, too. I’ve formed bipartisan working groups to come up with solutions to this problem. And we’ve passed several pieces of legislation (and introduced hundreds more) to stop the flow of drugs into and across our country and provide resources to those who are struggling. But we’re only getting started.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
Some people think that bipartisanship is a nasty word. I think it’s the only way we’re going to get things done in Washington. Substance use, mental health, and other challenges don’t discriminate based on political party. Neither should our response to them. I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to form the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, co-chair a commission to address synthetic opioid trafficking, and even lead the bipartisan effort to induct Curt Flood into the Baseball Hall of Fame. No matter this issue, I certainly won’t turn away anyone willing to work with me.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
From growing up on my family’s farm, to starting a business, and now having served in Congress for a little over three years, one thing has become clear: Competence, compassion, and civility are the keys to success. With this vision, we’ve passed legislation to curb substance use, improve mental health for those who are struggling, and invest in the next generation of Americans. But in Congress, as in business, I learned that constituent service is key. That’s why I opened four offices across the district and each year my team and I answer tens of thousands of requests for help.
Republican
Neil Parrott
Where you live: Hagerstown
Date of birth: July 30, 1970
Current occupation and employer:
Small business owner of Traffic Solutions Inc., transportation engineer, founder and coach at Hagerstown Area Summer Swimming, and Maryland state delegate.
Political experience:
Husband, father, small business owner, and long-time swim team coach. Served on the Board of the Hamptons at Brightwood Homeowners Association. Founder of the Friends of Frederick Committee Inc. that defended the 10 Commandments Monument in Frederick. Founder of the Hagerstown Tea Party, which worked to maintain and expand our freedoms. Founder of MDPetitions.com that brought three bills to referendum, the first successful referendum effort in Maryland in over 20 years. Currently serving in my third term as a state Delegate for legislative District 2A.
Website: https://neilparrott.org
Email: contact@neilparrott.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parrottforcongress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/neilparrott
Instagram: https://wwwinstagram.com/parrottforcongress
Why are you running for this office?
People matter, and right now, American families are hurting – high inflation, struggling businesses, and battles over what children are taught in schools. During my 12 years in the Maryland General Assembly, I have a record of working for families, for faith, and for freedom. You don’t have to guess how I would vote in Congress. Our country is in trouble, and I plan to work for positive change.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
The population in Western Maryland literally decreased over the last 10 years as young people are moving away for other locations where jobs are plentiful. This shouldn’t be. We need to create an environment where new businesses want to relocate to Western Maryland and where younger families and can live and thrive in the area.
I will continue to support legislation that incentives people to work so that they will have increased self-worth and reduce substance abuse. I will also support policies that can bring manufacturing and other good-paying jobs back to our area.
What is one major issue that has been handled poorly and what would you have done differently?
The price of gasoline and diesel are at an all-time high. In the state legislature, I voted to remove the automatic increase in the gas tax which will rise to over $0.40/gallon starting on July 1. Unfortunately, Democrat legislators stopped the tax relief.
We had energy independence before President Joe Biden took office, but because of Biden’s policies, we now rely on others for our energy needs. This costs more and is hurting lower-class and middle-class families every day.
Compounding the problem, David Trone voted to borrow trillions from China for excessive government spending that resulted in high prices on almost everything.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
Now serving my third term as a member of the House of Delegates, I listen to people and have been privileged to regularly help constituents. I was born in Bethesda, grew up in Maryland, became an Eagle Scout, a professional engineer, an MBA, and a small-business owner. As a husband and father of three, I care about people and work for practical, common-sense solutions.