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: Brent Mulrooney

Brent Mulrooney.
Brent Mulrooney. (Courtesy of Brent Mulrooney)

Age: 36

Education: Associate’s degree, Arabic; bachelor’s degree, Arabic Defense Language Institute; bachelor’s degree, cybersecurity, California University of Pennsylvania; MBA, Western Governors University.

Experience: National security analyst, CACI; cyberwarfare operator, U.S. Air Force Reserve; cyber operations planner, Leidos Arabic linguist, CWU.

Questionnaire

A: The best way to address a deficit issue is to attack it from multiple angles. We can identify where cuts are reasonable but at the same time we need to increase revenue. Revenue increase can come in multiple forms as well. This can be from growing business and enabling small businesses to succeed by simplifying permit processes or by increasing taxes on those having the most success from our society. I think all avenues to get after a problem are reasonable and should be explored.

A: As someone who grew up in a household that lived week to week, I understand that people being able to afford their lives is paramount to having a fulfilled life. My goal is to reduce costs of essential things like electricity while also enabling business to succeed that can promote higher wages for the people of Maryland.

A: The biggest increase in cost of living in the state of Maryland in recent years is electricity costs. We all feel it. We need experienced long-term planners like myself to bring the plans and ideas to reduce the electricity costs before we focus on anything else. If elected, I will put in my full effort to plan for the future to stop these increases and reduce these KW/h rates for the people in Maryland.

A: Education is paramount to a successful society and a successful democracy. I am an absolute advocate for funding to improve the education for the next generation and ensure their success for our kids, whether they start a robotics business here in Maryland through that education or become the next top innovator of something I cannot think of. Our forefathers created the public university system because they knew then the importance of education to be successful. The reason America is where we are today is because of the research and development and innovation that happens here in our university systems. I would advocate for finding the funds needed to ensure the future of Maryland and support Maryland’s education plan.

A: If I do win my election, I would want regular feedback from all constituents. As an elected official it is my duty to be a servant to the public. In order to be that servant, I need feedback. I need to know about emerging issues. The goal is to rise up everyone in our society to be able to live a happy and fulfilled life.

Republican

Name: Del. Nicholaus Kipke

Delegate Nicholaus Kipke speaks in favor of bill HB535 in the Annapolis State House on March 9, 2023.
Del. Nicholaus Kipke. (Kaitlin Newman/The Banner)

Age: 47

Personal: Married with four children.

Education: Attended Anne Arundel Community College.

Experience: Member, Maryland House of Delegates, District 31 (2006-present).

Questionnaire

A: The spending problem can be solved by reducing increases in spending across the board, hold the line and allow revenue to catch up.

A: Unaffordable energy bills, unaffordable taxes, and unaffordable fees.

A: Reduce taxes and fees.

A: The Blueprint never had a funding source and needs to be rolled back. Maryland cannot afford the price tag of the blueprint and raising taxes is out of the question.

A: For the last 20 years, my passion as an elected official has been in helping people in our community with constituent services. I believe I have built a reputation as the “go-to guy” for solving problems. #kipkecares