HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Election season is near and with mere weeks ahead of Washington County’s primary voting, it’s time to get to know your candidates! LocalNews1.org reached out to each candidate for Maryland’s House of Delegates in districts 2A, 2B and 1C and allowed them an opportunity to share their vision and qualifications.
Those who did not provide a response will have links to reach them through social media or a website.
District 1C
Democratic Candidate
- Seth Funk
Website: http://www.funkfordelegate.com/
Email: [email protected]
Why are you running for House of Delegates?
“I’m running because our leaders aren’t up to the challenges we face. We don’t need a name on the ballot every four years; we need a voice in Annapolis that is always asking ‘Why not Western Maryland?.’ Where we need action, we are getting absence. Where we need solutions, we’re getting silence. Where we need activity, we’re getting apathy. Western Maryland used to power this state with our energy, our farms and our labor. I’m running to make that a reality again and deliver results that are just as much about our children’s future as it is our own.”
What experience do you have/what is your background?
“I graduated with a degree in political science and public policy in 2024. I worked in the Maryland General Assembly on important matters like regulating utilities and energy retailers to lower costs, protect consumers from scams, and bring transparency to the energy market. Since then, I’ve been organizing with local leaders and community groups around various issues in the community: homelessness, drug use, data centers, agricultural protections, healthcare access and better jobs. Currently I live in Williamsport and work in a youth treatment center above Fort Ritchie. I have on-the-ground experience seeing the direct impact of the last 20 years of leadership, and I know we can do better for our people.”
What areas of public policy are you particularly passionate about?
“My passion is policy that prioritizes the wellbeing of local working families. This means lowering costs, increasing their income and making sure our money goes to the folks who need it, not corporations. With the mix of suburban and rural areas in the district, I’m focused on policy that helps both without hurting the other. Development doesn’t need to rip up farmland and push local farmers out of business, and rural protection doesn’t mean we can’t have quality services. When decision makers in these mixed areas bring both communities together they find solutions to lower costs, protect against unchecked development, and build a community that protects everyone against abuses by big corporations and governments alike.”
If elected, what will be your primary focus in office?
“My primary focus is lowering costs and improving services without raising taxes on working families. We’ve been giving breaks to everyone else: corporations, tech companies, date centers, warehouses, utilities. Right now our most pressing issues are electricity costs, personnel shortages in education and healthcare, and big corporations buying beneficial legislation. That said, we can’t address our current issues only. We must ensure that actions we take today are still benefiting us 5, 10, 20 years from now and beyond. We can improve our lives today and build tomorrow for our children, if only our leaders are willing to make that a reality.”
How do you plan to ease the lives of your potential constituents?
“I encourage folks to look at my website or contact me for more details, because this isn’t a one-fix-policy situation. The short version is this: every policy I propose makes sure that our land and our resources benefits our people. We need energy generation to lower electricity bills – county-controlled solar on government buildings adds new generation quickly, protects agricultural land, lowers energy bills for everyone, and adds revenue to county budgets to improve other services like our schools and hospitals, all without raising taxes or sending money to utilities. We need affordable housing that doesn’t destroy agricultural land – community land trusts and local control would make development minimally invasive and in control of our people, not far off real estate developers. Our kids need healthy food, and local farmers are struggling against Big Ag and corporate farms – funding farm-to-table programs in schools and bringing local farmers into classes connects children to our agricultural heritage, adds healthy foods to their diets, and helps local farmers stay local. We have constant medical and education personnel shortages – program that pays tuition for students who promise to serve in our community after they graduate has been proven to work for the Eastern Shore, so let’s do the same here. Every action I take, every plan I present, and every policy I support will always be about lowering costs, helping our community, and building a future for ourselves and our children.”
Republican Candidate
- Terry Baker
Did not respond to requests for comment.
Website: www.citizensforterrybaker.com
Facebook: facebook.com/citizensforterrybaker
District 2A
Democratic Candidates
- Brandon Thompson
Did not respond to requests for comment.
Website: friendsofbrandonthompson.org
- John Leonard
Website: http://www.johndleonardformd.com/
Bluesky: @johndleonard.bsky.social
Why are you running for House of Delegates?
“No Democrat has run in this district in the last 12 years; *someone* had to step up. These days, the Republican Party is morally bankrupt, from top to bottom, and they cannot go unchallenged.”
What experience do you have/what is your background?
“I am a construction estimator. It is remarkably similar to the job of legislating, oddly enough; I have to estimate costs, design budgets, navigate laws and contracts, negotiate with multiple organizations whose wants and needs are often directly opposed, and at the end of the day do my part to make sure our workers, our partners, and our clients can all put dinner on the table.”
What areas of public policy are you particularly passionate about?
“Agriculture, environment, housing & zoning, and rights.”
If elected, what will be your primary focus in office?
“Affordability, supporting local communities, and preserving our legal & human rights.”
How do you plan to ease the lives of your potential constituents?
“Supporting local food production to help our economy and our grocery bills. Supporting community infrastructure & third spaces, so home feels like home. Fighting this data center nonsense so our utility bills stop skyrocketing. Making sure that big bridges don’t come at the cost of local roads.”
Republican Candidates
- William Valentine (incumbent)
Did not respond to requests for comment.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/delegatewilliamvalentine
- William Wivell (incumbent)
Did not respond to requests for comment.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/delegatewilliamwivell
- Dianna Palmer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CPoZjJTAz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Why are you running for House of Delegates?
“I am running for House of Delegates because I believe District 2A deserves strong, visible leadership that understands our rural communities, working families, and small-business economy. As someone raising a family here and actively engaged in our local community, I see firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges our region faces. I am running to ensure our district has a clear voice in Annapolis and to help build a stronger, more sustainable future for our residents.”
What experience do you have / what is your background?
“My background combines community leadership, economic development involvement and a real-world understanding of the challenges facing working families and local employers. I currently serve as a Board Member on the Boonsboro Economic Development Commission, where I work to support small businesses, encourage responsible growth and strengthen our local economy. In addition to my public service work, I have been actively engaged in community initiatives, local events, and outreach efforts that connect residents, business owners and organizations across District 2A. Most importantly, I bring the perspective of a working family and a hands-on community advocate who understands the everyday realities our residents face and the practical solutions they are looking for.”
What areas of public policy are you particularly passionate about?
“I am especially passionate about economic development, workforce and trade opportunities, agricultural preservation and public safety. I believe our district’s long-term success depends on protecting our rural character while also creating pathways for good-paying jobs and responsible growth. I am also committed to strengthening infrastructure, supporting first responders, and promoting accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent.”
If elected, what will be your primary focus in office?
“My primary focus will be advancing policies that strengthen our local economy and improve quality of life for District 2A residents. This includes supporting small businesses, expanding workforce training and trade programs, protecting farmland and agricultural industries, and advocating for infrastructure investments that benefit families, farmers and employers alike. I will also prioritize accessibility and transparency, so constituents always know they have a strong and responsive voice in state government.”
How do you plan to ease the lives of your potential constituents?
“I plan to ease the lives of constituents by focusing on practical, common-sense solutions that address everyday challenges. This includes working to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on small businesses, supporting policies that help families manage rising costs and advocating for smart investments in transportation, utilities, and community services. Just as importantly, I will maintain a visible and active presence in the district, so residents know they have a delegate who listens, communicates clearly, and follows through.”
District 2B
Democratic Candidates
- Matthew Schindler (Incumbent)
Website: Schindlerforhagerstown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schindlerforhagerstown
Why are you running for House of Delegates?
“I’m running for the General Assembly to continue the work I’ve started in the two terms I have been honored to be appointed as Delegate for District 2B. I’ve already successfully brought home over 70 million dollars in investment into Hagerstown in my first session. I’ve put hard into work building relationships, and trying to bring a spotlight to Western Maryland for funding, consideration of policy, and our unique perspective for things like transportation, land use, etc. In a Democratic Super Majority, Western MD NEEDS a democratic voice, that can work with Republican Colleagues to deliver results.”
What experience do you have/what is your background?
“I have served the last 2 sessions in the Maryland House of Delegates, being appointed to finish the term of the previous Delegate. I have previously served as a City Councilmember for the City of Hagerstown which serves the same constituents. In addition, I serve on the boards for USMH, Local Management Board, Community Action Council, Senator George Edwards Board, and many other board and committees.”
What areas of public policy are you particularly passionate about?
“I have served on both the Appropriations Committee and now the Government, Labor, and Elections committee. This combined with my professional experience make me particularly passionate in local government policy, IT and Cybersecurity, land use, and of course the state budget.”
If elected, what will be your primary focus in office?
“Simply put, successfully securing fund for our local community and projects, and making sure Hagerstown and Western Maryland have a strong respected voice for our needs.”
How do you plan to ease the lives of your potential constituents?
“I plan to continue to bring money home and advocate for programs that affect working Western Marylanders. I also have the experience with both municipal and State budget to understand the difficulties, and to ensure that needed cuts to funding, don’t fall to our most vulnerable constituents. The largest way I can ease the lives of constituents, is by being a reasonable, respected advocate for causes in Washington County. This job is about relationships, especially in a super-majority. I will continue to make sure Washington County has a voice at the table and doesn’t get left behind.”
- Democrat Ocewana Baker has withdrawn from the race. She didn’t meet the withdrawal deadline, however, so her name will remain on the ballot.
- Republican Sean Flaherty has withdrawn from the race. He didn’t meet the withdrawal deadline, however, so his name will remain on the ballot.
Mark your calendar!
June 11-18 – Early Primary Voting
June 23 – Primary Elections
Oct. 22-29 – Early General Voting
Nov. 3 – General Election
Need to register to vote? Click here! https://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/application.html
