From The Banner · Kristen Griffith · · 1m 40s
Baltimore County School Board Candidates' Political Stances
Baltimore County school board candidates navigate partisan divides despite nonpartisan labels.
In brief
Baltimore County school board candidates navigate partisan divides despite nonpartisan labels. Baltimore County school board candidates face political tensions but emphasize student-focused decisions over party lines. Originally reported by The Banner.
Baltimore County School Board Race
Baltimore County school board elections use nonpartisan labels despite growing political divides among candidates.
“Using the word "nonpartisan" to describe Maryland school board elections is a formality at this point.”
Partisan Shifts in School Board Races
Wearing masks in class during the pandemic created partisan divides, leading to local political groups supporting candidates.
“Voters won’t see a "D" or "R" next to candidates’ names on the ballot, but party affiliation has become more visible in these races since the pandemic, when wearing a mask in class created a partisan divide.”
District 1 Candidates
Candice Logan-Washington and Lisa Mack both registered as Democrats but emphasize bipartisan student-focused governance.
“My democrat values are my values, but i have to work on behalf of all students.”
District 1 Political Views
Mack focuses on board members’ voting records rather than party affiliation, claiming the current board has excessive political interference.
“There might be somebody on a board who is a different party than i am, but as long as the person votes for children, i don’t really care about the rest.”
District 3 Candidates
Maggie Litz Domanowski (Republican) and Kelli Slattery McClelland (Democrat) both prioritize student needs over party politics.
“When i come down and sit at the board table, i don’t bring my politics.”
District 3 Political Views
McClelland states her core values include a school system meeting every student’s needs, while Domanowski rejects party alignment in education decisions.
“Anytime a person is sort of saying that their personal ideology doesn’t influence their decisions and their actions, is a person who’s maybe not super connected with their core values.”
District 6 Candidates
Darren Badillo (Republican) and Christina Pumphrey (Democrat) both focus on student concerns and local engagement over party labels.
“I tend to lean more republican, but voters should focus more on a candidate’s character, judgment, willingness to listen and ability to make decision that improve education outcomes.”
District 6 Political Views
Pumphrey introduced a resolution supporting immigrant students’ rights without party affiliation.
“Pumphrey did not respond to interview requests.”
District 7 Candidates
Rod McMillion (Unaffiliated) and Stacy L. McNish (Democrat) both advocate for nonpartisan school board decisions.
“There’s enough nonsense going on without board members or candidates feeling pressure doing what their party wants them to do.”
District 7 Political Views
McMillion has $0.25 in his campaign bank account and rejects party influence on school board decisions.
“The board member said the school board should be nonpartisan, like it was created to be.”
School Board Political Tensions
School board meetings sometimes split along party lines, as seen in a February vote approving a $2.5 billion budget.
“During a february vote to approve the school system’s $2.5 billion budget, four example, the four who opposed were either registered republicans or not affiliated with a political party, state records show.”
Here's the gist
Baltimore County school board candidates face political tensions but emphasize student-focused decisions over party lines.
