Maryland House of Delegates District 9A

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: Chao Wu

Age: 49

Personal: Married with two children.

Education: Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree, National University of Singapore; bachelor’s degree, University of Science and Technology of China.

Experience: Senior AI data scientist; Maryland State Delegate, District 9A; Howard County Board of Education; Columbia Association Board Member.

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?

Name: Natalie Ziegler

Age: 71

Personal: Married with two grown children and one grandson.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, psychology, Oberlin College; master’s degree, international relations, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Experience: Member, House of Delegates, District 9A; Volunteer positions, including Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with Voices for Children, adult literacy tutor at the South Baltimore Learning Center and with Moms Demand Action, in the school system, and for several Democratic campaigns; farmer; business owner.

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: Fitzgerald Mofor

Age: 31

Personal: Small business owner, a legal professional, and a longtime community advocate focused on fiscal responsibility and restoring opportunity for Maryland families.

Education: Master’s in Law, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law; bachelor’s degree, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Experience: Small business owner of a construction labor services firm; secretary of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League; elected as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee.

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?

Name: Spencer Rhoda

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.