Maryland Election 2022: Get to know the candidates for comptroller
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After being elected four times as the state's chief financial officer, Comptroller Peter Franchot's tenure in that office is coming to an end. Marylanders will head to the polls this fall to select the state's next comptroller between County Executive Republican Barry Glassman, R-Harford, and state Del. Brooke Lierman, D-Baltimore City.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, but early voting runs from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3. A request for a mail-in ballot must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 1.
The USA TODAY Network in Maryland, which includes Delmarva Now/The Daily Times in Salisbury and The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown, sent questionnaires to the Republican and Democrat seeking to be the state's chief financial officer. The Comptroller also serves on the state's three-member spending board, the Board of Public Works.
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 that were asked. Responses were limited to 500 characters — the equivalent of more than two tweets.
Both candidates responded and their answers can be found below.
Republican
Barry Glassman
Primary responsibility
What do you see as the primary responsibility of the comptroller?
The Comptroller is the chief fiscal official for Maryland taxpayers. I believe I am uniquely qualified to carry on the tradition of strong independent Maryland Comptrollers. As the leader of one of Maryland’s largest counties, my Administration has earned praise for strong fiscal management and innovation with a fully funded pension obligation and 24 AAA bond ratings, a distinction earned by only 2% of counties nationwide without raising taxes.
Role on the Board of Public Works
What do you see as your role on the Board of Public Works?
The Comptroller’s role on the Board of Public Works is perhaps the most important responsibility of the office. As the taxpayer’s representative, the Comptroller should strive to make sure every dollar is spent wisely. As the only candidate for comptroller who has chaired a similar body, the Harford County Board of Estimates, I worked with my procurement office to save the taxpayers $26.4 million over the past seven years and provide better service.
Statewide equity
How would you ensure your office is equitable in serving those across the state?
I will maintain and increase staffing across Maryland's regional offices. As the President of the MD Association of Counties, I represented counties across the state including from the Eastern Shore. I will represent them and all taxpayers as a moderate balance to potentially one party control in Annapolis which is rarely effective and always expensive.
Background information
Occupation: Harford County Executive
Primary residence: Darlington, Harford County
Age (at the date of election): 60
Campaign website | Twitter account | Campaign Facebook page | Other campaign social media |
Democrat
Brooke Lierman
Primary responsibility
What do you see as the primary responsibility of the comptroller?
The Comptroller is the elected chief financial officer for the state: processing tax returns & refunds, making major state spending decisions on the Board of Public Works, and safeguarding state pensions on the State Retirement & Pension Board. As one of only three statewide independently-elected officials, the Comptroller is a key leader in Maryland who works with state agencies, the General Assembly, and businesses to ensure Maryland’s economy works for everyone.
Role on the Board of Public Works
What do you see as your role on the Board of Public Works?
The BPW determines how the State spends billions of taxpayer dollars every year on services ranging from education to housing to technology to infrastructure. As a member of the BPW, I'll be an independent advocate for Marylanders, fighting wasteful spending and ending single-bid contracts. I'll make the procurement process more transparent, streamlined, and accessible. I'll ensure that our own state businesses get the fairest shot at landing state contracts so we can grow generational wealth.
Statewide equity
How would you ensure your office is equitable in serving those across the state?
I am dedicated to building a more equitable economy — one that invests our money wisely, achieves best value, and removes the barriers that exist to creating economic opportunity. I'll use my vote on the BPW to ensure there's equity in how we award contracts, including bringing people from across the state into to process. We must also end the practice of granting MBE waivers for state contracts. Where the state is unable to find MBE vendors, we must support the in-state growth of the industry.
Background information
Occupation: Civil Rights Attorney, State Delegate
Primary residence: Baltimore City
Age (at the date of election): 43
Campaign website | Twitter account | Campaign Facebook page | Other campaign social media |
@BrookeELierman (Instagram) |
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Maryland Election 2022: Get to know the candidates for comptroller
