Candidate Survey: Jaime Brennan for Frederick County Board of Education
TheDuckpin.com Candidate Survey
Name *
Jaime Brennan
Age *
47
Office Sought *
Board of Education
County *
Frederick
District, if applicable *
N/A
Political Party *
Republican
Education *
Bachelors in Business with a Concentration in Accounting from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, ( now Notre Dame of MD University) and currently pursuing a Masters in Forensic Accounting at Stevenson University.
Career/Occupation *
I am a CPA who is currently self- employed as a business consultant.
Political Experience *
None
Public Twitter/X Account
Public Facebook Page
Jaime Brennan for BOE
Public Instagram Account
N/A
Public TikTok Account
N/A
YouTube Page
Other Public Social Media Accounts *
N/A
Website *
Why are you running for office? *
Our schools are failing our children and if we continue to elect the same kind of people to the school board, we are going to continue to see a decline. Our kids suffered during COVID but the silver lining was that it was an eye-opener to what was really happening or not happening in school. A lot of parents, myself included, were not at all happy with what we saw. We need a change. We have many challenges in our system but I think with my career experience as well as with my time on the Board of Trustees of Frederick Classical Charter School, I have the knowledge and skills to make a real difference.
Who do you consider your political role model, and why? *
I am a big fan of Dan Bongino. He frequently says "the DO matters". We can't just talk about things, we have to get out there and do them. That is a large part of what finally motivated me to run. At some point, you can't just talk about the changes you want to make. We can't keep talking about how things should be done. Eventually you have get out there and be the change you want.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why? *
Mark Levin's American Marxism was very good. It documents the history of how Marxists have infiltrated every level of our society. It explains, really, why the battle for our schools is one of the most important battles we can fight.
What will be your top priority in office? *
The top priority will be to improve our academic performance. Proficiency rates for our kids are only around 50% in many grades and in some cases much less. That is completely unacceptable. That goes hand in hand with improving transparency and accountability. Our system is not living up to its potential but no one is held accountable it and our children suffer.
What is the biggest issue facing your area? *
The biggest issue for all districts will be the implementation of the Blueprint. We have unprecedented unfunded mandates and benchmarks to achieve. It is now more important than ever to make sure we are using all our resources as efficiently as possible.
What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland? *
The economy, crime and education.
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide) *
I am pro-life and believe in the dignity of all life.
What is your position on taxes and spending? *
We need less of both. We are spending away our children's future. It is unacceptable. Tackling our bloated budget is a large part of what I would like to eventually accomplish on the Board. But, we can't keep on the way we are in this State.
What is your position on gun rights? *
I support our second amendment rights. My family has always had firearms and hunted or been involved in sport shooting. Legal gun owners should not have their rights restricted because of criminal gun violence.
What is your position on marijuana? *
I think we are finding out more about the dangers of marijuana on the developing brain and also users' mental health since we have finally been able to openly study the impacts on communities that have legalized it years ago. Not only is the modern more potent marijuana having an impact on users mental health but there is a socio-economic impact as well such as increased car accidents. I do also know some people who have been helped by medical marijuana when modern pharmaceuticals have failed them. Given the choice between something natural and something synthetic I can see why people would want to choose the natural option. The reality is, it is not something our kids should have easy access to. I am glad we are finally getting solid research regarding the impacts.
What is your position on transgender issues?
You can not change your sex, period. We should not treat gender identity as if it was the same as natal sex. I have compassion for people who struggle with gender dysphoria. But at the same time, I oppose males in female only spaces and female sports teams. I also oppose instruction on gender identity in schools and "inclusive texts" woven in our regular day to day curriculum designed to condition children towards accepting gender identity ideology.
What is your position on land use, growth, and development? *
I struggle between wanting to preserve or open spaces, farm land and forests and at the same time I strongly support individual property rights. I do absolutely support local control over zoning and restrictions on high density housing in residential areas at the discretion of the local government.
What is your position on crime and public safety? *
We need to reverse course on the soft on crime policies they are causing real damage in our communities.
What is your position on county tax caps? *
I am not exactly what caps referred to in the question. However, I support counties capping the property tax increases and rates.
What is your position on education? *
Our educational system is a mess. Our children are not being educated to their fullest potential.
What is your position on parental involvement in schools?
Parents have the right and the duty to be involved in the schools. They do not co-parent with the Government.
Do you support a ban on biological males from playing girls or women's sports?
Yes
Do you support a ban on political flags (BLM, LBGTQ, Trump, etc) flags public schools
Yes
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