Yes, I support special elections to fill these vacancies. Furthermore, requiring a special election when a vacancy in the General Assembly occurs any time within the first three years of a term, will guarantee that an appointee would not serve longer than a year before the voters have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. Our democracy is strongest when people participate and elect their leaders. A fully transparent, public process increases peoples’ confidence in government.
Some criterias that I consider when choosing a person to fill a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly include, the length of residency in that specific legislative district, their experience, professional background, understanding of local issues, any meaningful contributions to serve their community, their understanding of the general assembly, their preparedness to serve and represent the residents of their district and what diversity they might represent.
As a member of the MD Dist 18 Caucus, I have a track record of leadership, commitment and service. As former Chair of the Caucus and Montgomery County Precinct Organization, I engaged, trained and mobilized hundreds of voters to strengthen our party from the ground up, led voter registration and protection efforts and helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot. I am committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Democratic party and expanding our grassroots power to help elect Democrats.
When filling vacant positions, engaging the voters from that specific district in the appointment process can help to ensure that the appointment decision serves the best interest of the community. Voter perspective can be included in the decision making process by informing voters in the district when a vacancy occurs, sharing candidate information, hosting candidate forums and accepting input and letters of support from voters for the candidate they support.
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I believe voters should have the final say. I do not support a system that has us appointing legislators who then run as incumbents slating with others. My first choice would be a constitutional change limiting appointees to being placeholders, not eligible to run in the next primary. Special elections are low info, low turnout votes. However, I have testified in favor of the current special elections bill, which would force appointees to run on their own in the midterm primary. Big improvement.
One of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do. To be honest, I relied on different criteria in each of 7 votes. My first instinct is to find the most progressive and/or perhaps the smartest in the field. I want to find the best future legislator, one with a policy vision that I think will lift up Marylanders. Experience matters, and I’m especially inclined to applicants who have won elections before. I am cautious about substituting my own preferences for that of voters in the district.
I got involved in local politics as an organizer in 2017 and saw that our leadership in Montgomery County and Annapolis isn’t as good or as forward-thinking as the people. I felt I had twin missions: to lift up the best progressive candidates, but I still maintained a focus I had in two decades of election protection work, to protect our now 250-yr old representative democracy from internal and external threats. At MCDCC, I work to make the Democratic Party a more democratic and stronger party.
MCDCC does so much more than just make appointments, but I understand why people focus on that. I did too, when I first decided to run. I take it seriously.
Our public forums are useful to compare candidates, but I don’t think I hear enough from any of the candidates that way. I make a point of meeting with them individually before our public meeting, to feel them out. I try to get a sense of their values, the usefulness of their experience, and even try to assess their potential for the job.
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I support exploring special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly, so residents have the opportunity to directly choose their leaders. I believe voters deserve a strong voice in selecting their representatives. If appointments are necessary, the process should be transparent, done in a timely manner, and focused on the needs and interests of the community.
The criteria that I will use to choose a person to fill a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly is to look for candidates with values and integrity, a strong record of community service, and a commitment to Democratic values. It is also important that appointees understand the needs of District 18 and reflect the diversity, experiences, and perspectives of the residents and communities they serve.
As a first-generation Latina professional with a PhD, I understand firsthand how important representation and access to opportunities are. I am committed to strengthening community engagement, supporting diverse Democratic leaders, and helping ensure that our party reflects and serves all residents of District 18. Serving on the Central Committee will allow me to advocate for transparency while working to ensure that our party reflects the values and diversity of our communities.
The way that I can ensure that my appointment decisions serve the best interest of the community when filing vacant positions is to first prioritize transparency, community input, and fairness when considering potential candidates. It is important to listen to the needs of the residents, evaluate carefully the candidate’s qualifications, and consider the district’s diversity. I will ensure appointments serve the best interests of District 18.
