The Issues That Matter Most
to Our Community

Putting People First. Delivering Real Solutions.
Policies shaped by listening, collaboration, and the real needs of St. Mary’s County residents.

St. Mary’s County faces many important issues, and the priorities below reflect where I believe the greatest attention is currently needed.

This does not mean other issues are being overlooked; I will continue to monitor all areas of county government, such as the States Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s office, our first responders, our local libraries, and our senior centers, and ensure they are properly addressed. Some issues may simply require less immediate attention because they are currently being adequately addressed or funded.

Major Priorities

I support strengthening mental health services through coordinated crisis response that connects people to help quickly and effectively. My work with veterans has shown how early, professional intervention can prevent crises from escalating.

Pairing mental health professionals with first responders improves public safety in several ways: it diverts people from jail or emergency rooms, reduces repeat emergencies, and ultimately saves the county money. Just as important, mental health resources must be available where people actually need them: embedded within our communities, accessible, and easy to reach.

Ignoring mental health strains law enforcement, hospitals, and families. As County Commissioner, I will work with community partners to attract and expand accessible mental health services here in St. Mary’s County.

I believe workforce housing is essential to a strong, stable local economy. When teachers, nurses, deputies, and other essential workers can afford to live in the communities they serve, businesses stay staffed and our public services remain reliable.

Workforce housing reduces turnover, shortens commutes, and helps retain experienced workers. That starts with clearly defining what workforce housing means for St. Mary’s County, taking into account local wages, the cost of living, and the needs of our workforce rather than relying on one-size-fits-all labels.

This is not about expanding government. It is about removing a barrier that weakens our economy and threatens our long-term stability. As County Commissioner, I will work with community partners to develop practical, locally grounded solutions that make it possible for the people who keep St. Mary’s County running to live and work here.

I believe public education is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce poverty, strengthen our workforce, and support families. Yet education funding has not kept pace with inflation, unfunded mandates, or the true cost of educating today’s students: transportation, pre-K, special education, multilingual learners, and students living in poverty.

We should continue to examine state mandates and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly, but supporting public education must remain a priority. Through my experience serving our country and seeing communities around the world, I have learned that education is one of the strongest investments we can make in our future.

For many children, school is more than a place to learn. It provides safety, stability, trusted adults, and, for some, their most reliable source of meals. As County Commissioner, I will advocate for honest, responsible investment in our schools while working to ensure every dollar is used effectively to support students, families, and our community.

I believe in responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, identifying waste, setting clear priorities, and ensuring every dollar works for the people of St. Mary’s County. Smart, disciplined budgeting isn’t just good policy; it is a matter of respect for the people who earn and pay those dollars.

Our spending priorities should reflect what residents consistently tell us they need most, not political agendas or pressure from special interests. I am firmly committed to fiscal responsibility, and I will not waver under political pressure.

Before asking taxpayers to pay more—something my opponent campaigned against and has voted for every year—we must first address waste, examine existing spending, and prioritize essential services. Affordability matters. If families cannot afford to live here, the programs and services we choose to fund will not benefit them.

My focus is straightforward: protect taxpayers, spend responsibly, and keep St. Mary’s County a place where families can afford to stay, work, and thrive.

Specific Priorities

After spending the past year traveling throughout St. Mary’s County, listening to residents, meeting with community leaders, and learning firsthand about the challenges facing our communities, I have identified specific issues that deserve action. These are not vague campaign promises: they are concrete priorities I will begin addressing on day one in office.

Repeal the Excise Tax imposed on the Town of Leonardtown.

Revisit the County’s Excise Tax and ensure it is structured fairly, supports responsible growth, and makes sense for St. Mary’s County taxpayers and businesses.

Support Shannon Farms Park by approving the Department of Recreation and Parks’ request to apply for available grant funding.

Limit rental application fees to help reduce unnecessary barriers for working families.

Simplify regulations for small businesses so entrepreneurs can spend less time navigating bureaucracy and more time creating jobs and serving our community.

Hold regular public office hours so residents have meaningful opportunities to meet with their elected representatives.

Host regular town halls throughout the county to hear directly from residents and provide greater transparency about county decisions.

Simplify voting processes for registered independent voters by advocating to make participation in our elections more straightforward.

Explore options for Lexington Park, including potential incorporation or establishing a full-time county employee dedicated to serving the community’s needs.

Hire a full-time grant writer for St. Mary’s County Government to pursue outside funding and reduce the burden on local taxpayers.

Establish a County Veterans Court to connect eligible veterans with accountability, treatment, and the specialized resources they need.

Create an open public comment period at the end of every County Commissioner meeting so residents have a consistent opportunity to address their elected officials.

Lift minimum parking requirements where appropriate to encourage flexibility, redevelopment, and more efficient use of land through the ordinance process.

Address unmanaged and neglected properties throughout St. Mary’s County to protect neighborhoods, property values, and community quality of life.

Establish regular meetings with the Housing Authority to strengthen communication, address concerns, and pursue additional state and federal funding opportunities.