Maryland Senate District 9

What’s the job: One of 188 members of Maryland’s General Assembly, split between the House of Delegates and the Senate. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving state spending and providing oversight of Maryland government operations. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Katie Fry Hester

Age: 51

Personal: Married with two children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, agricultural and biological engineering, Cornell University.

Experience: Maryland State Senator; senior associate, The Partnering Initiative.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Republican

Name: Ben Hightower

Age: 44

Personal: Married, one child.

Education: Enlisted in the United States Navy, completed basic training before going on to graduate from multiple service schools and military academies including Field Medicine Specialist, Special Warfare Technician, Casualty Care Instructor, Recruiter, and three warfare specialties in Surface Warfare, Fleet Marine Force, and Navy Expeditionary Combat.

Bachelor’s degree, health administration, Southern Illinois University; MBA, John Brown University.

Experience: I work at a local hospital organization; I completed a twenty-year career in the United States Navy.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?