Brian Chisholm

Brian Chisholm is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 31st district. A member of the Republican Party, Chisholm has been active in Maryland politics, previously representing District 31B from 2019 to 2023 before transitioning to his current district. His political career has included various roles and committee memberships, reflecting his engagement with legislative matters in the state.

Early life and career

Brian Chisholm was born on November 7, 1970, in Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, where he completed his high school education at Severna Park High School. During his time at the school, Chisholm participated in athletics, playing as a guard on the football team and as a catcher on the baseball team. Following high school, he pursued higher education at Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing.

Before entering politics, Chisholm was involved in local governance, serving on the Pension Oversight Commission of Anne Arundel County from 2015 to 2018. He held the position of vice-chair of the commission from 2017 to 2018, which provided him with experience in overseeing pension plans and financial matters related to public employees in the county.

Chisholm's initial foray into electoral politics occurred in 2014 when he ran for one of the two available seats in the Republican primary for District 31B in the Maryland House of Delegates. Despite a competitive field of eight candidates, he did not secure a position in the general election. However, he remained active in political circles and announced his candidacy again in 2017. This time, he successfully won a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, being sworn in on January 9, 2019.

Legislative service

Since his election, Chisholm has served on the Health and Government Operations Committee, where he has been involved in discussing and shaping legislation related to health care and government operations in Maryland. His tenure in the House of Delegates has seen him align with the Maryland Freedom Caucus, a group that advocates for limited government and individual liberties.

Chisholm's legislative actions have included a range of topics, from public health to criminal justice and education. He has been an active participant in debates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for transparency regarding outbreaks in elder care facilities and opposing certain restrictions imposed by state authorities. His involvement in the pandemic response included attending a rally to protest COVID-19 restrictions in Maryland.

In addition to his focus on public health, Chisholm has engaged in discussions surrounding criminal justice reform. He organized a "Back the Blue" rally in Annapolis, expressing support for law enforcement during a time of heightened scrutiny of police practices. He has also introduced amendments related to parole processes for inmates serving life sentences, reflecting his stance on criminal justice policies.

Chisholm's legislative efforts have not been without controversy. He faced criticism for remarks made during discussions about a fellow delegate, which were condemned by various caucuses and political leaders within the Maryland legislature. In response to the backlash, he maintained that his comments were not racially motivated and emphasized the importance of accountability in legislative discourse.

Policy focus and district

Chisholm's policy focus encompasses a variety of issues that resonate with his constituents in northern Anne Arundel County. His legislative priorities have included education, energy policy, electoral reform, and public health. In education, he has raised concerns about the Maryland State Department of Education's transparency regarding school performance data, alleging that the department was not forthcoming about the scores of failing schools. However, an investigation into these claims found no evidence to support his allegations.

In the realm of energy policy, Chisholm has been an advocate for reducing electricity costs for Maryland residents. He has introduced multiple bills aimed at addressing utility rates and has been critical of programs such as the Climate Solutions Now Act and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which he has referred to as ineffective. His proposals have included amendments to allow utilities to continue compensating employees with ratepayer funds under certain conditions, reflecting his focus on balancing utility management with consumer interests.

Chisholm has also been active in discussions surrounding electoral reform. He opposed legislation that would simplify the process for voters to obtain absentee ballots and introduced amendments requiring government-issued identification for voting. His stance on these issues reflects a broader concern about election integrity and access.

Throughout his time in the Maryland House of Delegates, Chisholm has maintained a focus on representing the interests of his constituents in District 31. His legislative actions and public statements indicate a commitment to addressing the concerns of residents in his district, particularly in areas such as public safety, economic development, and education. As he continues his service, Chisholm remains a notable figure in Maryland politics, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about governance and policy in the state.