Maryland State Senate District 32

A: During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, the state made significant decisions in revenues and the operating budget formulas to address the structural deficit into future years. I have and will continue to support reforming our tax structure so that high-income earners and corporations pay their fair share into our state’s revenues. Additional revenues from the rich and corporate profits will help the structural balance for future years. In serving the needs of Marylanders, our state’s operating budget has been adjusted to efficiently and equitably serve residents in all the diverse jurisdictions.

A: With the adverse effects of the Trump administration on Maryland, healthcare, affordability and cost-of-living, and infrastructure investments are the most pressing issues facing Maryland. During other federal administrations, we had a trusted partner in serving the priorities of Marylanders. Unfortunately, due to the thousands of federal workers residing in Maryland who lost their public service careers by the Trump administration, our state’s budget and economy have also been negatively affected. In addition, critical investments have been halted by the federal government which has put more pressure on Maryland to backfill the immensely important needs.

A: During the 2026 legislative session, I voted to make monthly electric bills more affordable, to strengthen oversight of utility companies, and to hold large energy users responsible for infrastructure needed to support increased demand. In addition, for groceries and in putting food on the table for our families, I voted for legislation that prohibits grocers and third-party delivery services from using dynamic pricing or an individual’s personal data to set higher prices at the register.

A: Throughout my time in the Maryland General Assembly, I voted for our state’s budget to prioritize our commitment to education through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. In schools across my district and Anne Arundel County, positive outcomes are realized through the state’s investments. During the 2025 legislative session, I voted to increase revenues on the super-rich to support the education of our children, while reducing the tax rate on working families. In that same policy and fiscal spirit, I support closing corporate loopholes that would bring additional revenues to support a world-class education system in Maryland.

A: Throughout my public service in the Maryland General Assembly, I have prioritized the needs of residents in Maryland’s 32nd Legislative District in Anne Arundel County. From my partnership with constituents, we have made significant investments in education, healthcare, public safety, transportation and the environment. In the spirit of grace and compassion, I strive to serve Maryland’s 32nd Legislative District, Anne Arundel County and Maryland with honor and diligence. With a dedication to constituent service, I humbly and kindly ask constituents for their continued trust and confidence in serving them in the Maryland Senate.

A: According to the Maryland Center on Economic Policy: “A tiny fraction of Maryland families hold a staggering amount of the state’s wealth, according to a new 50-state report by the D.C.-based research organization the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). The wealth inequality highlighted by the holdings of these extremely wealthy families limits economic opportunities for everyday Marylanders, and both reflects and exacerbates (socioeconomic -- “class” and) racial inequality. Tax policy is a critical way that policymakers can start addressing this inequality.” This would allow for minimum service cuts to the government services people need the most while raising more income from those who have benefited excessively from tax policies crafted to their advantage.

According to ITEP, “A nationwide tax of 2 percent on wealth over $30 million could have raised nearly $415 billion if it were in effect in 2022, while a similar tax applying only to wealth in excess of $1 billion could have raised $62 billion. This tax would affect just 1 in 400 households nationwide, or 0.25 percent of the population. No state would see more than 0.5 percent of its population affected by such a tax.”The Moore Administration has the right idea, but should not increase the burden on the poor, many of whom already work multiple jobs.

A: We must prioritize equipping families to move beyond poverty and build secure, thriving lives. That means expanding access to affordable healthcare, strengthening safety net programs, and creating real economic mobility—not just temporary relief.

We must also honor our commitments to those who have served and those who built our communities. Protecting veterans and seniors means ensuring access to healthcare, housing, and the dignity they deserve.Finally, Maryland must continue advancing justice reform while upholding human and civil rights for all. A fair and just society is foundational to long-term prosperity.Together, these priorities will help us build a Maryland that is more inclusive, more resilient, and prepared for the future.

A: We must prioritize building affordable, resilient communities—expanding access to quality housing while strengthening infrastructure to withstand economic and environmental challenges.

There should also be limits on the percentage residential energy rates can increase in a calendar year. Second, absent a crisis, utility companies should not be allowed to raise prices in consecutive years. Finally, the new data centers should have to pay utility bills commensurate with the use (and strain) they create for the grid. No “ordinary” homeowner should see increases in their utility bills due to the power demands of new data centers.The current level of housing stock will not suffice. Local zoning laws that accelerate the pace of approvals for building projects is essential. That process must become more user-friendly and less costly. It is also necessary to diversify our supply of homes. McMansions satisfy a small portion of the market but make housing unattainable for many others who desire to buy homes, especially the “essential workers” (teachers, fire fighters, law enforcement, health care providers, etc.) Identifying tracts of land throughout the county where “Cottage Homes” (aka “Tiny Homes”) can be built will allow county residents to move out of apartments or their parent’s homes into homes of their own. As their equity grows, they can use the equity to purchase a larger home that meets their needs.

A: The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a promise to our children and an investment in the future through what we spend today. If we must raise new revenue to honor our commitment to our children, so be it. We might also consider reducing corporate tax breaks as a way to increase revenue to support education, while not raising taxes on the entire population.

A: The single most important thing a Maryland state legislator can do right now is to truly listen—and then turn that listening into action through genuine partnership with the community.

First, we must remain deeply engaged with our constituents, beyond the election season. The people we serve are closest to the challenges they face, and many of the most effective, forward-thinking policy ideas come directly from their lived experiences. Listening is not passive—it should actively shape our advocacy, our priorities, and the legislation we introduce.Second, representation must be a two-way partnership. I am running to be “their voice in the room,” but that voice is strongest when it is backed by an engaged and empowered community. When critical issues are being debated in Annapolis, we need residents who are willing to show up, share their stories, and make their voices heard.My job performance should be assessed against this rubric.

A: Maryland cannot tax its way out of a structural deficit. The state needs to start by separating core obligations from politically popular spending, then require every agency and major program to justify results, not just prior-year funding levels.

My approach would be to begin with a full performance audit of state agencies, procurement contracts, grants, vacant positions, overlapping programs, and administrative spending. I would look for savings in duplicative services, outside contracts, underperforming programs, excessive consulting costs, and programs that have grown faster than taxpayers’ ability to support them. I would not support broad-based tax increases on working families, retirees or small businesses. Maryland already struggles with affordability and competitiveness, and raising taxes without reforming spending would only push more residents and employers out of the state. Revenue growth should come primarily from economic growth: making Maryland more attractive for private-sector jobs, energy investment, small businesses and housing development. If any revenue increases are considered, they should be narrow, transparent, and tied to measurable reforms. The goal should be a leaner, more accountable government that protects essential services while respecting taxpayers.

A: First, Maryland’s energy policy has become too ideological and not practical enough. We have pushed aggressive green mandates while reliable generation has been taken offline too quickly, leaving families with higher bills and a less-secure grid. Maryland needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, renewables where they make sense, and serious investment in small modular reactors. If data centers are going to place major new demand on the grid, they should help fund the reliable generation needed to support that growth, not shift those costs onto ratepayers.

Second, Maryland has a real housing crisis. We need to make homeownership attainable again by addressing supply, permitting delays, development costs, and policies that make it harder for working families to buy their first home.

Third, human trafficking must be treated as a public safety and human dignity crisis. Maryland needs stronger enforcement, better coordination across jurisdictions, more victim services, and a serious focus on protecting children and vulnerable people from exploitation. These issues all come back to whether Maryland is affordable, safe, and accountable to its citizens.

A: Lowering the cost of living starts with admitting that Maryland families are being squeezed from every direction: energy bills, housing, insurance, healthcare, groceries, transportation, and taxes.

First, we need to lower energy costs by restoring reliable generation, stopping policies that prematurely shut down affordable power, and investing in nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, and other dependable sources. Energy costs ripple through everything. Second, we need to address housing affordability by increasing supply, speeding up permitting, reducing unnecessary regulatory costs, and making it easier for working families to afford a first home. Third, Maryland needs to confront skyrocketing insurance and medical costs. It is not enough to blame Medicare or federal policy. We need more transparency in pricing, stronger review of rate increases, more competition, and accountability for insurers, hospital systems, and middlemen driving up costs. I’d also support targeted transportation solutions, including better bus routes where they are actually needed, ride-share partnerships for seniors, workers, and underserved areas, and policies that reduce the need for families to own multiple vehicles. Finally, I oppose broad tax increases on working families. Maryland needs disciplined spending, economic growth, and a government that treats affordability as a core responsibility.

A: I would not support simply raising taxes to cover every projected blueprint cost without first asking whether the programs are working, whether the mandates are realistic, and whether local school systems have the flexibility they need.

Education is one of the most important investments Maryland makes, but spending more money does not automatically mean better outcomes for students. Before asking families and businesses to pay more, the state should conduct a serious review of blueprint implementation, administrative costs, unfunded mandates, staffing requirements, and student performance outcomes. Programs that are directly improving literacy, math, career readiness, teacher recruitment and classroom instruction should be protected. Programs that are duplicative, overly bureaucratic, or not producing results should be delayed, restructured, or rolled back. I also believe local school systems need more flexibility. What works in one county may not work in another, and Annapolis should not force expensive one-size-fits-all mandates without regard to local budgets. So my answer is: reform first, prioritize classrooms, protect what works, and roll back or restructure what does not work before raising new revenue. Maryland taxpayers deserve accountability before another tax increase.

A: I want constituents to review my job performance by whether I am accessible, honest, responsive, and willing to serve everyone, not just the people who agree with me politically.

My faith teaches me to love like Jesus and to see people beyond labels. Republican or Democrat, Black or white, new American or fifth-generation Marylander, every person deserves to be heard, respected, and represented. I believe too much of politics has become about fundraising, favors, influence, and building power for the next election. Look at some of these coffers - they’re outrageous. That is not why I am running. I want people to judge me by whether I show up, tell the truth, answer hard questions, follow through on constituent concerns, and fight for policies that make life better and more affordable. I also welcome public accountability through town halls, community meetings, constituent services, public voting records, regular updates, and direct communication with residents. Elections matter, but accountability should not only happen every four years. It should happen every day.