As an independent, unaffiliated candidate running for a nonpartisan position (the Board of Education), I consider it a duty to attend both Democratic and Republican Party events.
Yesterday, the District 17 Democratic Club held their annual picnic at Griffith Park, a park where my own children played when we lived in Old Town Gaithersburg. I attended despite #MCDCC's anti-endorsement based on complete falsehoods about who I am, the values I will bring, and the plans I have for our schools as a future Board of Education member. Nevertheless, I signed in, placed my spinach and pesto pasta salad on the picnic table, grabbed a bottle of water, and proceeded to find a friendly face amidst that crowd.
I headed towards Yamil Hernandez, a City of Gaithersburg Councilmember, and asked if I could join him. With a smile and with zero hesitation, he said yes. To my welcome surprise, I sat next to Sidney Katz, former mayor of Gaithersburg and retiring County Councilmember. He shared his family's history in Gaithersburg, a story I can always appreciate as a History teacher. I very much appreciated their kindness.
Then the speeches by the District 17's President Andrew Lin, City of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, State Delegates Julie Palakovich Carr and Ryan Spiegel, and City of Rockville Monique Ashton began.
I hoped to hear their plans for Gaithersburg, Rockville, Montgomery County, and the State of Maryland. What were their goals for residents? How were they going to address the rising cost of living in our county? What were they going to do to close the achievement gap in #MCPS? How were they going to address the major infrastructure issues in MCPS?
Unfortunately, they mapped out very little to the audience. I have attended many political meetings across the spectrum over the years and have come to appreciate when speakers walk through specific, local plans — the kind that leave you with a clear sense of what will actually change. Yesterday afternoon, Democrats skipped that part of the menu. Instead, they focused on national issues and Trump (with the exception of Sidney Katz who focused on his decades-long service in Montgomery County). Both parties use very similar language at their meetings as both tout their focus on the people. However, congratulations on presumptive future wins -- early celebrations, was the central theme.
I would have loved hearing rallying cries centered on their plans, starting with: "We will..," "We will..," "We will..," and seeing excitement from the crowd as they ran off their lists. Political rallies, in that way, can be fun. That wasn't in the works, though, and, as a result, I left feeling a bit empty-handed. What will Democrats actually do for me as an independent, unaffiliated Montgomery County voter?
It reminded me of Adam Pagnucco's article last October entitled, "It’s Not All About Trump." He wrote,
"... judging from the campaign emails and social media I see, it would be reasonable to conclude that he is also on the ballot for statewide office, General Assembly, county executive, county council and, well, just about everything else. Who knew? It’s because the huge majority of Democratic candidates for state and local office are talking a LOT about Trump."
As a future Board of Education member, I will prioritize focusing on improving the quality of education for our students by listening to parents, taxpayers, and community watchdog organizations. Whenever you meet with me, I will listen to you and shape my plans on evidence-based, best practices. I will find ways to reach our goals together, no matter the party you belong to.
Local politics shapes the future of our nation, one block at a time, one school at a time, one district at a time. I look forward to serving you to the best of my abilities starting this fall.
Vote Brenda Diaz for Board of Education!
Visit DiazForBOE.com to learn more about my platform.
