2022 Voter Guide: Chris Tomlinson, candidate for Maryland House District 5

Why are you running for office?

I'm running for office because I have been helping good conservatives get elected across the State for over a decade. As a bi-weekly opinion columnist for the newspaper, I fought for the community, defended conservative values, and used my platform to inspire change and action. However, with two outstanding members of our delegation retiring, I could no longer sit on the sidelines and write about politics or help from behind the scenes. I am running because as a longtime conservative activist and a dedicated community volunteer, I have the energy and experience required to hit the ground running and get to work on day one. In addition, I am honored to have the support of our current delegation, including Senator Justin Ready and Delegates Susan Krebs, April Rose, and Haven Shoemaker who know that I am a fighter who will stand up for my constituents in Annapolis and deliver results.

What is the most pressing issue in your district?

Keeping Carroll County — Carroll. Our County is surrounded by Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Frederick Counties — which we've seen change significantly over the last 50 years. Despite our close proximity to these other counties, Carroll has managed to protect our agricultural heritage, ensure that taxes remain low, and keep crime down. And this is not by accident. For decades Carroll County has had strong conservatives in the General Assembly and in leadership at the local & County levels. Carroll will not continue to look like Carroll if we do not continue to fight for the values that truly represent this great County. Unfortunately, we see individuals moving up to Carroll who want to leave their old counties (i.e. Montgomery) because of overgrowth, high taxes, and increased crime, yet they want to push their ideologies and beliefs here. I will fight without end to see that Carroll County's values never change!

How will you help your constituents deal with inflation?

Tax relief — tax relief — tax relief. The General Assembly passed some legislation to provide tax relief to Marylanders but they did not do enough. Governor Hogan and Republican legislators pushed for more but the Democrats voted against additional tax breaks despite the State having a record $2.5 billion surplus. Most importantly, it is shameful that the Democrats voted against extending the gas tax holiday as we see inflation continue to rise.

What do you see as the top transportation priority in your district, and how would you address it?

As a delegate, I would fight to see that Carroll County receives more funding to expand our roads and complete feasibility studies. We need more funding to expand Rt. 32 in the south & Rt. 97 in the north and to complete streetscape projects in Sykesville and New Windsor that have been on the books for years. We also need to look at the possibility of constructing bypasses for Manchester and Taneytown.

What should schools do differently during the next pandemic to help students, families and teachers?

If there is another pandemic, students need to stay in school. I think everyone can agree that virtual learning was an epic failure. Teachers tried to adapt and do the best they could but remote learning was a disaster for the most part. Studies are showing that children are now 1 to 2 years behind. Carroll County was the first County to get kids back in the classroom and Carroll County's Board of Education led the fight in getting the mask mandate dropped in schools. I am proud to have worked hard in 2016, 2018, and 2020 to make sure Carroll's school board is represented by solid conservatives who continue to fight for our children and families.

How equitably do police officers treat people of color?

Across the country, we have witnessed a few rogue police officers commit terrible acts. However, that is not a fair representation of law enforcement in the United States, and especially not in Carroll County. I am proud to have worked alongside Sheriff Jim DeWees for the last seven years. Our Sheriff runs a tight ship and we have never had a problem in Carroll with police officers treating people of color unfairly under his watch. Over the last couple years, we have watched the General Assembly do everything they could to neuter law enforcement and destroy their profession. As a delegate, I will fight for our brave men & women in law enforcement and fight back against those who still want to push the incredibly unpopular and ineffective "defund the police" agenda.

What would you do to make sure Maryland's voting system is secure and accurate?

As a Republican Central Committee member, I am proud to have supported and nominated conservative members to the County Board of Elections. As a columnist, I wrote many times about the need to make sure that our elections are conducted securely & fairly to prevent voter fraud from taking place. As a poll watcher in the City of Westminster's 2021 municipal election, I personally identified a major discrepancy with the voting machines that was allowing voters to vote for all three candidates for Common Council despite there only being seats available. Carroll County has an amazing Board of Elections and Election Director. Unfortunately, the rest cannot be said for the rest of the State where we see problems every election in jurisdictions such as Baltimore City and PG County. As a delegate, I will fight tirelessly for election integrity.

What are the right goals and deadlines for Maryland to reduce carbon emissions and develop renewable energy sources?

I certainly know what the wrong goals and deadlines are — and those are the ones set in the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 passed by the Democrats this past legislative session. Governor Hogan called it a "reckless and controversial energy tax bill" and I agree with him. Under this legislation, the State must now cut its greenhouse gas emissions 60% below 2006 levels by 2031 and basically eliminate the State's carbon footprint by 2045. This will have close to zero impact slowing down climate change across the globe due to Maryland's size. Instead, Maryland residents and businesses are going to feel the impact as we are forced to modernize our energy systems hoping that this will save the world.

What's Maryland's best use of federal COVID relief money?

It is in the best interest of Maryland to pass the COVID relief money down to the counties and municipalities because local leaders have a better understanding of how COVID has negatively affected their communities. In Carroll, we've seen our County Government launch relief programs such as Carroll Rebound, the County Restaurant Relief program, the County Hotel Relief Grant Program, and the County Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Fund. All of these programs have helped local residents and business owners. One group that I believe has been villainized and abandoned are landlords. Commercial and residential landlords have been hit hard by COVID and have been left high & dry. I would like to see that landlords are given a chance to claim some of this COVID relief money.