Candidate Survey: Harold Maldonado for Montgomery County Council, District 7

TheDuckpin.com Candidate Survey

Name*

Harold Maldonado

Age*

48

Office Sought*

County Council

County*

Montgomery

District, if applicable*

District 7

Political Party*

Republican

Education*

BA Economics, MA Economic Development

Career/Occupation*

Economist

Political Experience*

Political analyst for 10 years.

Social Media Accounts*

www.facebook.com/HaroldM4Council Twitter = @HaroldM4Council

Website*

www.haroldmaldonado.com

Why are you running for office?*

I’m running because I’m tired, disgusted, and upset at the type of policies the council has supported during and after the pandemic that have severely damaged our children, our businesses, and our public safety. The council lacks accountability as it ignores all residents, specially; parents, business owners, and concerned residents in District 7. With over 25 of professional experience in public, private sectors, I’m ready to work for you! Let’s get our county back!

Who do you consider your political role model, and why?*

Congressman Jim Jordan. I admire Mr. Jordan because he defends the values that I hold with tenacity, truth, and passion. He's a family man like me who works hard to defend the sanctity of family and patriotic values with decorum and an utmost respect for the opposition.

What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why?*

I like books written by former government officials who have worked as Fed Chairmen and Secretary of the Treasury, for example. I like these because they provide good and interesting insights into the political climate during economic and financial crises that are actually interesting. Unlike other books written by seasoned politicians, these books more or less show the reality of the dynamics between politics and policy-making processes.

What will be your top priority in office?*

To say there’s one overarching issue in our county is to be shortsighted. I would say we have three main issues; economy, education, and public safety, which are interdependent of one another. For the economy, I plan to focus on improving the investment environment to foster growth and establishment of small- and medium-sized businesses. For education, I plan to make the BOE and teachers independent from teacher unions. For security, I plan to increase the budget for the police department and increase the ratio of a police officer per 1K population to at least 5 (current national average is 2.4).

What is the biggest issue facing your area?*

Rising crime.

What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland?*

Declining in the quality of education, rising crime, and a stagnant economy.

What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide)*

I'm a family man that charises and respects God's creations. We have a dychotomy in these issues; the legal aspect and the moral values side. Legally, these issues are currently being debated and are used to divide the public, which I'm opposed to; the one side suppoting abortion saying "my body, my choice" but not saying the same thing when it comes mandated vaccinations, and the other side that is moral that centers its baseline argument on basic human values, on safeguarding humanity, on protecting babies, children, and the next generations. For me, the argument does not follow this two-sided "divide-and-conquer" strategy, but rather a humane reasoning.

What is your position on taxes and spending?*

The Council has done a poor job in taxes and spending. Taxes are high in the county because the council's handling of the economy has not created the investment environment conducive to capturing the necessary tax revenue to cover the budget and thus it needs to raise property, income, and corporate taxes. The Council has also misspent millions without prudent cost-benefit review and analysis. I seek to change this, spending should be prudent and based on sound and full cost-benefit review. I plan to bring back accountability to county spending.

What is your position on gun rights?*

The republic was founded on its citizens having the liberty to own guns because the founding fathers were wise to see that the new republic could be a target for internal and/or external foes. The country, the states, and our local communities, and our counties are being weakened by calls to defund the police and this is the major impetus for the rising crime and regular citizens, as we stand, have the right to protect their families and their communities. Without the respect and protection of the 2nd amendment to the constitution, county residents do not have the legal protection to protect their families or communities.

What is your position on the legalization of marijuana?*

I'm against all illegal drugs. Illegal drugs destroy people, destroy families, destroy communities, and destroy lifes.

What is your position on the current three-tiered system for the sale and distribution of alcohol?*

It's an old system and it should be revised. There's a monopoly on the distribution of alcohol and this needs to be udpated.

What is your position on land use, growth, and development?*

I'm for safeguarding green and agricultural areas as a priority. The growth and development in our demographics should mirror economic, educational, and socio-economic development. Urbanization for the sake of urbanization is wrong. We should protect our green and agricultural areas as this safeguards our food security and the environment.

What is your position on crime and public safety?*

I back the blue 100%. If elected, I plan to support providing the police department with all the budget necessary to have a ratio of police offers per 1000 residents to at least 5 (national average is 2.4 per 1000 people). Safe communities produce less crime.

What is your position on county tax caps?*

I plan to revise the tax code in the county, so, I support tax caps.

Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election?*

No

Do you pledge to accept the results of your election?*

Yes