Brenda J. Thiam
Republican | Maryland
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brenda J. Thiam
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
North Carolina Central University, Durham, BS, 1994
University of Maryland, College Park, M.Ed., 2002
Capella University, Minnesota, PhD, 2015
Pennsylvania State University, State College, Post graduate certificate, 2017
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Member, Maryland Federation of Republican Women
Member, Brook Lane, Board member
Black Conservative Federation, Member, Maryland Black Republican Council
Member, Washington County Commission for Women, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Delegate, 2020-2023
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
City Council (Hagerstown), 2000
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021-2022
100%
2019-2022
75%
2021-2022
|100%
2019-2022
|75%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Heath Barnes
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Na
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Hellfire PAC (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
Key votes from Vote Smart
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
If the mother is at risk of losing her life during delivery or the life of the baby is at risk of being lost. Also, in cases involving incest or rape would warrant having an abortion.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
I support the Hyde Amendment, which states federal funds should not be used to have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and the risk of death for the mother or child. Abortion was passed to the States to make this decision and it should remain in the hands of the States.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Expand additional child tax credits to families who have young children and whose income is at or below poverty level. Also, Florida and a few other states don't impose state income taxes on their residents and all states should do the same.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Instead of focusing on reducing student loan debt, more emphasis needs to be placed on saving for college and scholarship usage. Millions of dollars go unused for scholarships year after year because students aren't taking the opportunity to complete scholarship applications.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government cannot impose a religion on its citizens. People are free to worship whatever religion they choose, or no religion at all. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". The government cannot favor one religion over another.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There are no circumstances where the government should require its citizens to have vaccinations. I know several people who have died because of the "required" Covid shot. People should have a choice; especially when a vaccination is considered.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
B--Options are good for people to exercise their freedoms. Medicaid and Medicare should be offered to those who want it, as well as private healthcare options for those who can afford it and want flexibility in their insurance healthcare coverage.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. The US and Israel have strong economic and commercial ties that should remain. The trade value between the US and Israel is nearly $50 billion in goods and services and growing. For more than 40 years, the US has been Israel's most reliable trade partner. The US has had a great relationship with Israel since it was recognized as an independent state in 1948. The US and Israel also share a common interest in fighting terrorism together.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
The military has started to focus on the wrong issue, which is DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). The military's role is to protect us if we should ever need to go to war; to defend the USA and its interests. The political climate has grown so polarized and many people don't have an interest in fighting for a country they perceive to be racist. However, I believe our country has come a long way and is worth fighting for because of the freedoms we have.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
People who are escaping asylum from their home country should be allowed to enter the US, but this decision must be vetted properly and they should remain in a neighboring country until a decision is made. Also, people who are seeking education at a university should be allowed to enter the US but also must be properly vetted.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
I believe marriage is God-ordained and between a man and a woman, but I also believe the government has no place in this decision. It's government overreach.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God as my Heavenly Father and I pray daily for wisdom and guidance. I'm a Christian and believe in the scriptures that are written in the Bible and I live by them daily as best as I can. I believe in the redemption of sin and people can become better people if they choose to change. I don't believe we should judge others when we have challenges we're trying to overcome ourselves. I don't believe in making excuses for what I don't have but seek to obtain. If you want something, you must work hard to achieve it; no excuses. I believe it's fine to help people when they need help, but we must not enable people in that process to help. We must teach people how to fish for themselves and not give them fish to eat every day.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
We use photo identification for many mundane activities in life every day. Using photo identification to participate in such an important civic duty s casting our vote should be just as serious as using photo identification to check into a hotel room or renting a car.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
The Electoral College is a pivotal component in the Constitution when voting for the president of the U.S. If this process were to be removed, candidates who run for president would be motivated to focus their time and energy in much larger states, such as Florida and Texas, This would ignore smaller states in the process to select the president. It involves a more equal process for smaller and larger states.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
Though climate change is most often a man-made problem, I do not see it as an urgent political action.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe it's important to use a mixture of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. We should not completely ban fossil fuels.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The role of the government is to provide rules for law and order and perimeters for citizens to follow. The government is responsible for creating laws concerning foreign affairs, defense, and the economy.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
no
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
no
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We need law enforcement officers and agencies to keep us safe in our communities. Crime happens and citizens must have the resources to contact their law enforcement agency to come resolve the problem. Community programs can operate in their lane and work collaboratively with the police department, but funding should not be redirected from police departments to community programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
If a person has committed an egregious felony act that involves the use of a firearm, their gun ownership rights should be taken away. I agree with background checks to ensure the person has a clean background before owning a firearm. If a person has a mental disability that impacts their decision-making, and judgment or they have been hospitalized due to mental illness, the person should not be permitted to own a gun. If a person steal a gun to commit a crime, gun ownership is not permitted.
