After three terms and nearly 15 years in the Maryland State Senate, Sen. James Brochin (D-42nd) says he’s ready for a change.

A Baltimore County native, Brochin will announce on Oct. 19 that he is running for Baltimore County executive. If elected, he will replace current Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who announced in September he is running for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Brochin, 53, prides himself on being a liberal on social issues and a fiscal conservative. An insurance broker who attended Pikesville schools, Brochin lives with his daughter, Katherine, in Cockeysville.

Jmore recently spoke with Brochin about his plans, if elected.

Jmore: If you become county executive, what will be your most important priorities?

Brochin: In the State Senate, I’ve found that almost every problem comes back to education: hate, anti-Semitism, gun violence, protecting the environment, so much more. So clearly, education is my top priority. We need to work harder so public schools help our kids go to college. For example, through the AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination] program, students develop skills they need to be successful in college. So we must identify children in middle school with college potential. Then, when they’re in the ninth grade, begin bringing them together during first period every day through senior year to improve study and organization skills, go on field trips and more.

We also need to hook up with students who don’t want to go to college, giving them a clear path to trade schools and apprenticeships, for those interested in, for example, HVAC systems, auto repair and other trades.

Then, there’s a third, younger group. We need to invest early in children so that when one is in conflict with another, they sit down and learn to work things out. Beginning as young as possible, we need to get kids to have empathy for one another.

Other priorities?

We must protect the environment and conserve open space. We need more parks, more ballfields, more recreation centers, more green space. I believe Baltimore County is becoming overdeveloped. I’ve spent part of the last five years working with neighborhoods to stop mega-churches from getting built and recently a Royal Farms gas station from going up across from a residential area.

We need to put the following language in a bill: “If you’re a developer seeking a variance to the master plan, you may not make any political contributions.” Pay-to-play is a huge problem in Baltimore County. We need to take money out of the system when it comes to zoning decisions, so I’m going to put an end to pay to play.

On the other hand, I would have made a play to get Amazon’s second national headquarters on our east side, where we need more jobs. I would not have done what the current county executive, Kevin Kamenetz, did. He endorsed the Port Covington area of Baltimore City for this potential site of 50,000 jobs.

What about public safety?

Baltimore County Police should be sure to prosecute to the full extent of the law any crime that has a gun attached to it. We also need maybe half-a-dozen more police for neighborhood patrols and to prevent breaking into cars while people are enjoying themselves in parks.

On the other side, we need to expand health services, especially more mental health on the front end with a payoff on back end. For example, we need more psychologists across Baltimore County schools. Mental health is the preventive piece. In my first budget, the education budget will have more funds for school psychologists. Some kids do not come from stable homes, so we must deal with this.

Your reaction to the possibility that Baltimore County schools might be open next year during the High Holidays?



Governor [Larry] Hogan’s decision to begin the school year after Labor Day and end mid-June has complicated things. Why shouldn’t the school system be operating on the same calendar next year as now? I think the current calendar is fiscally responsible. At the end of the day, the disruption and cost for hiring substitute teachers to temporarily replace Jewish teachers is not fiscally prudent. I also remember when I was in school and classes were held during the High Holy days, my non-Jewish friends would later tell me they didn’t learn anything.

What role do Jewish values play in your life?

The Jewish values that play the biggest role in my life are social justice, giving back to my community and trying to make the world a better place. I am a fiscal conservative, but I also believe in social responsibility. For example, I believe strongly in equality, so I was one of the deciding votes in the State Senate in favor of same sex marriage.

How does your experience prepare you to address the county’s problems?



In the State Senate, I learned how to get along with 46 other people. You have to establish good relations with others and work with them, bringing people in, forming alliances to find consensus and common ground. I believe I’ve been the least partisan person in the State Senate.

I’m a proud Democrat, but I’ve always put public policy ahead of party. There’s too much divisiveness, so we must ensure that Baltimore County continues to be a place where all people feel included.

Peter Arnold is an Olney, Md.-based freelance writer.

Also see: What Jewish Political Leaders Have In Mind For 2017