Candidate Survey: Del Lamiman for Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, District 15
TheDuckpin.com Candidate Survey
Name*
Del Lamiman
Age*
77
County*
Montgomery County
District, if Applicable
Legislative District 15
Education*
BS Economics (Public Finance), University of Wisconsin and University of Maryland; plus 15 credits in creative writing
Career/Occupation*
25 years in computer systems development (Programmer, Division Director, Vice President), then 30 years as a farmer (breeding and training Morgan horses)
Political Experience*
Currently the First Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Central Committee, and for the previous six years, the Chair of the Legislative District 15 Organization Won a competitive primary for the House of Delegates (1974) Legislative Assistant in the Maryland Senate Member of the Montgomery County Council Redistricting Commission Mayor, Montgomery County Municipal League Board, and Legislative Coordinator of the Maryland Municipal League President, Montgomery County Young Republicans Chair, University of Maryland College Republicans and the Maryland State College Republicans President, Boyds Civic Association Delegate, Montgomery County Civic Association
Website*
None
Social Media Accounts*
Why are you running for office?*
Maryland in general and Montgomery County in particular, are suffering under the dominance of Democratic Party and the ideology of its leadership. Our State and County are in desperate need of a Republican Party strong enough to re-educate our citizens about the ideals that created our nation and made it the most desirable place in the world to live. As governments (Federal, State and County) become more controlling and oppressive, Independents , and non-leftists Democrats will respond to the most basic Conservative principle of freedom for citizens and business. I am running to strengthen the Republican Party Organization, elect Republicans, and get our message out.
Who do you consider your political role model, and why?*
For his organization of the Party and political acumen, if not always his position on issues -- Gilbert Gude. He gave up a seat in the House of Delegates to run for the Central Committee, became Chairman and built the County organization which enabled ten years of Republican dominance in Montgomery County, and a long career for himself in the Maryland Senate and the US Congress.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why?*
I did read book length treatises on politics and policy in my youth (a long time ago), but in recent decades my political reading has been short form and I am hard pressed to name anyone who has regularly been able to meld true conservatism with practical politics. As a matter of fact, there is hardly anyone even expounding a consistently true conservative position -- maximum practical individual freedom and limited Government control over individuals. Traditionalism is not philosophical conservatism.
What do you see as the role of the Central Committee?*
1 -- Build the Party Organization, 2 -- recruit and support candidates, 3 -- Get our message out (the messages that reasonable Independents and Democrats might agree with).
What are the three biggest issues facing your county party?*
Minimal precinct organization in much of the county, undermining factionalism, difficulty in recruiting impressive candidates. ( Note: finances is no longer on this list due to impressive recent fundraising.)
What are the three biggest issues facing your state party?*
There are some good people trying to do positive things, but in the end, the State Party has not been able to do anything that has helped elect Republicans. Strategies like the "Drive for Five" did not work and had a depressing impact on all other candicies then and in the future. Too many people treat the State Central Committee as a debating society pushing issues that handicap our candidates or constricting internal governance policies.
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide)*
I hold the true conservative position of maximum individual freedom -- I do not want government control over a family's reproductive decisions. As much as I would like to see better end of life options, I can not see my way to Government sanctioned suicide.
What is your position on taxes, spending, and the federal deficit?*
Less, less, less.
What is your position on gun rights?*
I celebrate the Supreme Court's decision upholding the Second Amendment as an individual right.
Do you believe that Maryland primary elections should be open to independent voters?*
No
Do you believe that the state party and the county parties should be allowed to endorse in primary elections?*
No
Do you believe that Maryland Republican Party auxiliary organizations should have a vote on the Maryland Republican Party executive committee?*
No
Would you support limiting the terms of Maryland Republican Party officers to eight consecutive years in the same office?*
No
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election?*
Yes
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election?*
Yes