He held a kickoff rally Saturday in front of Winchester Hall.
Frederick, Md (KM) A former Frederick County Board of Education member is running for County Executive in 2022.. With a crowd of supporters looking on, Daryl Boffman launched his campaign on Saturday in front of Winchester Hall. “Our campaign slogan is ‘One Frederick united and pursuing prosperity for all,” he said.
Next year, the County Executive’s race is wide open as incumbent County Executive Jan Gardner, who has served in the position since 2014, cannot seek a third consecutive term in office, according to the County Charter. During his campaign rally, Boffman gave praise to County Executive Gardner for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “She has demonstrated strong yet compassionate leadership over many years,” he said. “And I will build upon the solid foundation she has established under the charter form of government.”
Boffman also said the pandemic has made the problem of inequity more evident across the country, and that includes Frederick County. “We discovered inequities in health care, education housing, broadband, jobs and benefits,” he said. “We must truly become one Frederick, united.”
If he’s elected, Boffman says he will pursue post-pandemic funding for education. “The pandemic has caused some of students to struggle academically, menially and socially,” he says. “We cannot address their need to recover, reset and rise by allocating a maintenance of effort funding which is the minimum required by the state.”
He also said small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and he says action needs to be taken. “We must develop incentives for more entrepreneurs to start and build small businesses. And they are the backbone of our economy,” he says. “We can begin by working with our community business organizations to start and support business incubator programs.”
Another way, he said, is to introduce a program to provide equal opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women and military veterans to obtain contracts with county government.
Boffman discussed his business experiences during his campaign speech. His background also includes a seat on the Board of Education from 2000–2010, including one year as President. He’s currently the Executive Director of Public Affairs for Frederick County Public Schools.
Boffman is the third candidate to announce a run for County Executive. The other two are Councilmembers Kai Hagen and Jessica Fitzwater.
The Primary Election is June 28th, 2022. The General Election is scheduled for November 8th, 2022.
By Kevin McManus