Four Republicans seeking District 2A delegate jobs expound on priorities in Annapolis
One incumbent is facing three challengers to represent a recently redrawn Western Maryland district in the state House of Delegates.
Maryland District 2A includes parts of Washington and Frederick counties after it was redrawn as part of the state's redistricting done every 10 years. Originally, the district that includes two delegates was entirely in Washington County. The new boundary in the county roughly follows Interstate 81 south and east from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Potomac River, but excludes Halfway, Williamsport and Hagerstown.
In Frederick County, the district extends east across the northern portion of the county to the Carroll County line and includes Thurmont and Emmitsburg.
Three candidates — Bradley Belmont, Seth Edward Wilson and incumbent William Joseph Wivell — live in Washington County. William Valentine lives in Frederick County.
Del. Neil Parrott, R-Washington, is giving up his delegate seat to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The primary is July 19, but early voting runs from July 7 through July 14. Voters will be asked to pick up to two candidates from their party they'd like to see move on to the Nov. 8 General Election. There are no Democrats on the ballot.
The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown sent questionnaires to the candidates. Included were basic biographical questions, as well as opportunities to list websites and social media accounts so voters can learn beyond just answers to the questions we asked. Responses were limited to 500 characters — the equivalent of more than two tweets.
The questionnaire was sent in early June, and follow-ups were made with those who hadn't responded by mid-June. Those who didn't answer by July 5 are listed below as "Did not respond." But since this questionnaire is meant to inform voters, we've included websites and social media accounts if they were included in the candidate's filing listed on the Maryland State Board of Elections website.
Republicans
Bradley Belmont
Home: Hagerstown
Occupation: Nuclear medicine
Age as of July 19: 42
Campaign website: bradleybelmont.com
Other media: https://bit.ly/3QU4Xcs
William Valentine
Home: Emmitsburg
Occupation: State's attorney's office investigator, retired police lieutenant
Age as of July 19: 50
Campaign website: www.valentine4delegate.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WilliamValentine2022
Seth Edward Wilson
Home: Hagerstown
Occupation: Information systems audit and security; Republican Central Committee member; volunteer firefighter/EMT
Age as of July 19: 51
Campaign website: www.sethwilson.us
Twitter: @seth_wilson_us
Facebook: facebook.com/voteforsethwilson
Instagram: @sethwilson.us
William Joseph Wivell
Home: Smithsburg Area
Occupation: Certified public accountant
Age as of July 19: 58
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DelegateWilliamWivell
Redrawn district, similar priorities?
With District 2A extending into Frederick County, how do you plan to be responsive to both Washington and Frederick counties? What do you think the needs are of both counties?
Belmont
I look forward to the opportunity to develop close working relationships with the friends in District 2A that I have met and haven’t met yet, and hearing your concerns and the concerns of your elected municipal officials. Serving as your representative involves being accessible and learning about your lives and the challenges faced in your hometown. I intend to establish an open line of communication and to make my way around District 2A on a rotating basis in order to do just that.
Valentine
I will focus on communication and collaboration with municipal and county officials from both counties. I will work with our governmental partners, both Chambers of Commerce, our local Farm Bureaus and other organizations while gathering the data and information necessary to address the needs throughout the district. Investment in infrastructure, economic development and a sustainable agricultural industry are all needed for the future success of both Washington and Frederick County.
Wilson
I am a lifelong resident of Washington County. I also worked for 20+ years in Frederick County in the information technology field, am a graduate of Leadership Frederick County, and earned my MBA and later my master's degree in Cybersecurity from Hood College. I have family, friends, and associates throughout both counties. I have been in contact with elected officials in both counties. Security, transportation, and balancing agriculture and development are important needs for both counties.
Wivell
The demographics of District 2A in both counties are similar — population densities, rural/agricultural, interspersed with relatively small municipalities. Needs are also similar in regard to jobs & infrastructure (schools, roads, public safety, public utilities). I will continue to listen to constituents while fighting against wasteful government spending and for lower taxes and regulations and support for necessities and critical infrastructure needs.
Voter access, confidence in question
What more do you think should be done to ensure voter access and voter confidence in elections in both urban and rural communities?
Belmont
When it comes to voting, our citizens need to feel confident in our democratic process. Therefore I will lead an effort to author and pass bipartisan legislation aimed at ensuring that voting machines used in Maryland are immune to hacking attempts, and that the vote counting process in every district statewide, including mail-in ballots, is subject to higher standards to ensure that Maryland election results are never called into question. Voter trust must be restored.
Valentine
The State of Maryland provides multiple options to ensure voter access. These include, Mail-in Voting, (8) days of Early Voting and Election Day Voting. In addition, the MD State Board of Elections maintain an informative website with answers to many of the questions a voter may have. Requiring a government issued ID, non-partisan post-election audits and a return to paper ballot elections are all methods that would increase confidence in the integrity of our elections within our communities.
Wilson
Election integrity is very important to me. I asked about voting system security before the 2020 election, visited polling places on Election Day, and attended the hand recount after. I support voter ID, signature verification, and local precinct voting on Election Day. I petitioned courts for judicial review of unconstitutional legislative districts and unfair early voting center locations. I believe rigorous efforts like these are necessary to ensure confidence in the electoral process.
Wivell
I believe that, with absentee voting, early voting, and various precinct locations throughout the district, voter access is reasonably assured. Early voting centers should be equally dispersed throughout the Counties. In regard to voter confidence in elections, use of paper ballots (to substantiate votes in the event of vote validation/recounts), use of voting machines NOT connected to the internet, and a requirement for voter identification would reinforce voter confidence in elections.
Top three issues for the State House
What are three local issues you intend to bring to the General Assembly in the next session?
Belmont
Simply put, Maryland must act quickly to provide much needed support to the police departments of Frederick and Washington Counties and to reinstate the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights; fix our public schools by improving their safety and enhancing the learning process; and support struggling small businesses, those fortuitous enough to start and grow a successful small business in Maryland should be able to pay their employees a fair wage and earn a decent living themselves.
Valentine
This year’s legislative session proved local issue legislation will no longer be given the same courtesy as it has in previous years. As a result, bi-partisan support will be more important than ever, when introducing legislation pertaining to local issues. I support local legislation such as the continuation of distributing highway user revenue, municipal infrastructure initiatives and salary alterations for local elected officials as recommended by the appropriate Salary Study Commission.
Wilson
The "Police Reform and Accountability Act" needs changed. Governor Hogan rightly noted in his veto letter that the repeal of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights was "done in a haphazard fashion with little collaboration." The "Time to Care Act," which the Governor described as "an irresponsibly crafted, rushed piece of legislation," will need fixed. I also want to empower individuals to make informed health care decisions and put parents back in control of their children's education.
Wivell
Capital & Oper. Budgets. Support local projects/priorities and bond initiatives while maintaining fiscal responsibility/opposition to unnecessary mandated spending.Education. Support flexibility in education, including support for BOOST pgm, k-12 ESA’s, charter schools, and initiatives which promote high achievement.Geographic location. Due to close proximity to other states, remind our colleagues in the Legislature of the exponential adverse impact of legislation on jobs/local economy.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Redrawn Maryland delegate district has four candidates for two seats
