Brian Alan Chisholm (born November 7, 1970) is an American politician who represents northern Anne Arundel County in the Maryland House of Delegates. A member of the Republican Party, he represented District 31B from 2019 to 2023, afterwards representing the 31st district.[1]
Brian Chisholm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2019 Serving with Nic Kipke and Rachel Muñoz | |
| Preceded by | Meagan Simonaire |
| Constituency | District 31B (2019–2023) 31st district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brian Alan Chisholm November 7, 1970 Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kristie |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Severna Park, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Clemson University |
| Occupation | Mortgage Banker |
Early life and education
editChisholm was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from Severna Park High School in Severna Park, Maryland. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Clemson University.[1]
Political career
editChisholm was a member of the Pension Oversight Commission of Anne Arundel County, Maryland from 2015 to 2018. He was vice-chair of the commission from 2017 to 2018.[1]
In 2014, Chisholm ran for election to one of two District 31B seats in the Maryland House of Delegates, but came in fourth in a field of eight candidates in the Republican primary. On October 19, 2017, he announced that he would again run for the House of Delegates,[2] and, together with incumbent and fellow Republican Nic Kipke, won.[3] Chisholm was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates om January 9, 2019, and has served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee during his entire tenure.[1] He is also a member of the Maryland Freedom Caucus.[4]
Personal life
editChisholm currently lives in Severna Park, Maryland and works as a mortgage banker. He is married and has one child.[1]
Chisholm co-owns, with former state delegate Sid Saab, a fitness gym in Severna Park.[5][6] In February 2021, a former employee filed a lawsuit against the two lawmakers, alleging that she was retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment by another co-worker.[7] A federal jury ruled for the employee in September 2023.[8]
Political positions
editCOVID-19 pandemic
editIn April 2020, Chisholm sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Health asking the agency to publicly release more information about COVID-19 outbreaks in elder care facilities.[9]
In May 2020, Chisholm attended a Reopen Maryland rally to protest COVID-19 restrictions put into place through executive orders by Governor Larry Hogan.[10]
Chisholm introduced legislation during the 2021 legislative session that would provide a property tax credit to businesses in Anne Arundel County that were affected by the state's COVID-19 emergency declarations. The bill received a favorable report from the Anne Arundel County Delegation,[11] but stalled in committee.[12]
Criminal justice
editIn July 2020, Chisholm organized a "Back the Blue" rally in Annapolis,[13] which he said was separate from the Black Lives Matter movement.[14]
In 2021, Chisholm opposed legislation that would remove the governor of Maryland from the Maryland Parole Commission, and introduced an amendment that would require inmates serving a life sentence to get "unanimous agreement" from the state's parole board to be released. His amendment was rejected in a 91–41 vote.[15]
Education
editIn April 2023, Chisholm sent a letter to State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury accusing the Maryland State Department of Education of hiding scores from failing scores by altering data files available on the department's website. An investigation conducted by the state inspector general found no evidence of these claims.[16]
Electoral reform
editIn 2021, Chisholm opposed legislation that would allow register voters to opt-in to an absentee ballot list instead of reapplying for mail-in ballots before statewide elections, introducing an amendment that would require voters to have a government-issued ID to vote. His amendment was rejected.[17]
National politics
editIn May 2024, Chisholm signed onto a letter condemning the jury's guilty verdict in the Trump hush money trial, calling the ruling a "political prosecution from a kangaroo court and left-leaning prosecutor" that is turning the U.S. justice system into a "third world parody of law and order".[18]
Taxes
editIn 2021, Chisholm opposed legislation that would allow Maryland counties to set up a progressive income tax, introducing an amendment that would have required counties to lower the tax on lower income brackets if officials opt to increase the tax for higher income brackets. His amendment was rejected.[19]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nicholaus R. Kipke | 3,920 | 31.0 | |
| Republican | Meagan C. Simonaire | 3,075 | 24.3 | |
| Republican | Gus Kurtz | 1,779 | 14.1 | |
| Republican | Brian A. Chisholm | 1,607 | 12.7 | |
| Republican | Faith M. Loudon | 1,017 | 8.1 | |
| Republican | Don Dwyer, Jr. | 890 | 7.0 | |
| Republican | Paul William Drgos, Jr. | 230 | 1.8 | |
| Republican | David Lee Therrien | 111 | 0.9 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nicholaus R. Kipke | 4,579 | 43.2 | |
| Republican | Brian Chisholm | 4,119 | 38.9 | |
| Republican | John R. Leopold | 1,030 | 9.7 | |
| Republican | David Therrien | 863 | 8.1 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian Chisholm | 20,573 | 33.2 | |
| Republican | Nicholaus R. Kipke | 20,434 | 33.0 | |
| Democratic | Karen Patricia Simpson | 11,257 | 18.2 | |
| Democratic | Harry E. Freeman | 9,602 | 15.5 | |
| Write-in | Others | 49 | 0.1 | |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Brian A. Chisholm". Maryland Manual On-Line. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Cook, Chase (October 19, 2017). "Severna Park Republican announces run for District 31B delegate seat". Capital Gazette. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Cook, Chase (June 26, 2018). "Leopold comeback ends as Kipke, Chisholm have majority lead in delegate race". Capital Gazette. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 2, 2024). "House Freedom Caucus could be gaining more firepower in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Seiss, Jane (October 2, 2018). "New RockWell Fitness Owners Plan Improvements At Community Gym". Severna Park Voice. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Hernández, Arelis; Wiggins, Ovetta (January 9, 2019). "Meet the freshman class of the Maryland General Assembly". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ DuBose, Brooks (February 26, 2021). "Two Anne Arundel delegates sued by former gym employee who claims she was fired after reporting sexual harassment". The Baltimore Sun. Capital Gazette. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Miller, Hallie; Willis, Adam; Wood, Pamela (September 9, 2023). "Banner political notes: Verdict goes against 2 politicians; A Tree-Mendous celebration; Forward Party has a candidate". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Gaskill, Hannah (April 26, 2020). "House Republicans Press Hogan Administration for Data on Prisons, Nursing Homes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Gaskill, Hannah (May 15, 2020). "Protesters at Annapolis Reopen Rally Call for an End to 'Tyranny'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Sanchez, Olivia (February 12, 2021). "Anne Arundel state delegation votes to support business property tax credits during state of emergency". The Baltimore Sun. Capital Gazette. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Sanchez, Olivia (March 22, 2021). "General Assembly crossover deadline arrives as Anne Arundel lawmakers work to pass bills". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ "Maryland delegates organize rally to support police in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Carroll County Times. July 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ DuBose, Brooks (July 23, 2020). "Maryland Republicans delegates host Back the Blue rally in Annapolis to support law enforcement". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Leckrone, Bennett (March 3, 2021). "House of Delegates Moves Forward with Reform to De-Politicize Parole Decisions". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Reed, Lillian (May 9, 2023). "Maryland State Department of Education did not cover up test scores from failing schools, inspector finds". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ Leckrone, Bennett (March 4, 2021). "House Rejects Republicans' Amendments to Expanding Absentee Ballot List". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Pittman, Elijah (May 31, 2024). "Maryland Democrats guarded, Republicans angry in wake of Trump conviction". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Maryland Matters Staff (April 8, 2021). "Bills on the Move: Procurement Reform, Local Tax Rates, Transit Funding, Balloons". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.