Brooke Lierman elected as Maryland’s first woman comptroller – Maryland Matters

Baltimore Del. Brooke Lierman made historical past Tuesday evening, changing into the primary lady elected as state comptroller and to an impartial state authorities workplace in Maryland.

“It’s been 20 years because the one and solely time Democrats nominated a girl for one in all our three statewide workplaces and I’d like to offer a shout out to that lady, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend — in addition to all the ladies who’ve run and whose shoulders I stand on: from Eleanor Carey to Valerie Ervin to Heather Mizeur and Kelly Schulz,” Lierman mentioned to a packed resort ballroom in Baltimore. “We characterize greater than 51% of the inhabitants right here on this state and tonight I’m humbled that for the primary time in our state’s 200-plus yr historical past, now we have lastly elected a girl to one in all our high three workplaces.”

She famous that it had been 36 years since Barbara Mikulski “smashed a glass ceiling” within the state and within the nation, changing into the primary lady U.S. senator who was not elected as a alternative for his or her partner.

“To each woman and lady on the market: let’s hold shattering glass,” Lierman advised the assembled crowd. “I will be the first, however I’ll do my greatest to make sure I’m not the final.”

With about 96% of Election Day precincts reporting, Lierman appeared to safe victory within the race Tuesday evening, main the Republican nominee, term-limited Harford County Government Barry Glassman, with 56% of the vote.

Glassman, who was endorsed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and distanced himself from Trump-endorsed GOP candidates within the state, conceded the race round 11:30 p.m. in a telephone name to Lierman.

He issued a brief assertion later within the night.

“Particular because of the entire Marylanders who supported my bid for comptroller. Though it was unsuccessful, I’m pleased with our marketing campaign and the optimistic message we offered,” he mentioned. “Congratulations to Delegate Lierman. I want her a lot success. Lastly, to my beloved Harford County, thanks for permitting me to serve you for 30 years. It has been an honor.”

Hours earlier, Lierman, 43, danced on stage in celebration together with her husband, siblings, kids and different relations.

She mirrored on her success as a gaggle effort, from her mom convincing every of her neighbors at an assisted dwelling facility to vote for her to the various occasions her father, former state social gathering chair Terry Lierman, attended in her stead, to the parades that her kids marched in, whilst she missed a few of their occasions for ones on the marketing campaign path.

“You’re the pleasure of my life and I’m doing this for you and for the entire kids of Maryland so we will construct a state that’s worthy of our children,” Lierman mentioned.

Amongst different priorities as soon as in workplace, Lierman needs to advertise participation within the state’s Earned Earnings Tax Credit score, a program she voted to broaden throughout the 2021 legislative session.

On the marketing campaign path, she has additionally pitched the tax collectors’ workplace as a solution to information extra equitable and climate-conscious statewide insurance policies. Lierman has pledged to make use of the comptroller’s seat on Maryland’s highly effective Board of Public Works to extra strictly implement guidelines to encourage state contracts with companies owned by girls and folks of coloration, and to make state procurement extra aggressive by reducing again on single-bid contracts.

Lierman spoke about uniting Marylanders throughout pursuits and geographies — and made the case for funding within the metropolis she’s represented for eight years.

“Maryland can by no means be a very nice state till our largest metropolis, Baltimore, reaches its full potential,” Lierman mentioned to wild applause.

On Tuesday evening, Lierman’s victory was celebrated by Home Speaker Adrienne Jones, who was readily available for the crowded victory celebration.

Jones, who was elected in 2019 by her Home colleagues as the primary lady and first Black legislator to function speaker, advised the assembled crowd that the street to greater workplace comes by means of the Home of Delegates, pointing to the success of different Democratic victors on Tuesday evening: U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Legal professional Basic-elect Anthony Brown,

Jones endorsed Lierman early within the election season, as did a number of of her legislative colleagues, and state Democratic leaders.

The comptroller’s seat was open this yr after Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot determined to hunt the Democratic gubernatorial nomination after 15 years because the state’s tax collector.

Tuesday evening’s election outcomes aren’t closing. There are greater than 239,000 mail-in ballots in Maryland that had been despatched to voters however had not been returned by Monday night; native election boards will proceed to canvass these votes on Thursday morning.