Meet The Candidate: David Trone For 6th Congressional District

POTOMAC, MD — When voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections, they will be asked to select individuals to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Patch asked each candidate to answer questions to help provide voters with information about who they are and their stances on various issues. We are printing their responses in full, unedited except for spelling or punctuation.

Below are the responses from incumbent David Trone. He represents District 6, which includes Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, as well as parts of Frederick and Montgomery counties. Democrats have held the seat for nearly a decade.

Age (as of Election Day)
65

Town/City of Residence
Potomac, MD

Office Sought
U.S. House

If you are a congressional candidate, please indicate for which district (District 1, District 3, etc.)
District 6 (includes Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, as well as parts of Frederick and Montgomery counties)

Party Affiliation
Democrat

Family
Wife June, four Adult children (Michelle, Julia, Natalie, Rob)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
B.A. (Magna cum laude), Furman University
MBA, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania

Occupation
Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Total Wine and More (no longer involved in day-to-day operations)

Campaign website
www.davidtrone.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Elected to serve Maryland's 6th District in Congress since 2018.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The opioid epidemic continues to ravage our communities, especially in Western Maryland, and COVID-19 has only made this problem worse. Fatal overdoses have risen by over 50% in Western Maryland counties. Ending this crisis is why I ran for Congress, and it continues to be my top priority.

In my first term, I formed the Bipartisan Freshman Working Group on Addiction, made up of 65 members from across the country. We've introduced over 50 bills in the House to address this issue. Just recently, the House unanimously passed my Family Support Services for Addiction Act, providing funding for families who are dealing with a loved one who is suffering from the disease of addiction.

Beating this means attacking it from every angle — awareness, education, prevention, and treatment. That's what we've focused on since the group's inception, and that's the work we'll continue to do in the coming months and years.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?
I unequivocally believe that Black lives matter. Black Americans and people of color are consistently subjected to systemic racism in this country, and we need to do more to stop it. You can draw a direct line from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration.

While I condemn violence of any kind in response to the murder of George Floyd, I recognize that the overwhelming majority of people standing up for racial justice are peaceful and perfectly within their rights.

As John Lewis said, "get into good trouble, necessary trouble." Fighting for justice in an unjust system is exactly the type of trouble that Congressman Lewis was referring to.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?
Police reforms need to happen, but "defunding the police" won't solve the problem. We need to ensure that training standards for police officers include deescalation, implicit bias, and non-lethal interventions.

We also need to reform the system that allows for no-knock warrants, qualified immunity, and chokeholds (all of which are covered under the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, passed by the House). And we need to be sure that we're sending social workers, drug counselors, or other specialists to help those who need it.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?
In order to crush the virus and reopen our economy, we should listen to the scientists, not the politicians dragging their feet in Washington and state capitals across the country. For that reason, I support a national mask mandate and limits on gatherings, dining, and other businesses where health experts say it's warranted.

The Trump administration and the federal government haven't done nearly enough to support Americans during this pandemic. Over 200,000 Americans have died because of the lack of response.

The House passed the Heroes Act months ago, which provides real help to those who are out of work, ensures that we have enough PPE for our frontline and essential workers, and bolsters our economy to help us recover. It's well past time for the Senate to pass it and provide the relief that Americans need.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I believe in governing with compassion, civility, and competence. I also know that without a bipartisan mindset, we won't get any work done to move this country forward. I came to Congress to make real progress on issues like opioids, criminal justice, mental health, and education, not become mired in partisan battles.

At the end of the day, I want to improve the lives of the most vulnerable Americans, those who don't have a voice speaking on their behalf in Washington. And I believe that creating a more just and equitable America for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, gender, or political party should be the goal.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
Speaking for those who don't have a lobbyist fighting on their behalf and fighting for the issues that everyday Americans face is my top priority.

In addition to ending the opioid crisis, I'm committed to reforming our unjust criminal justice system, providing a world-class education for every student regardless of their race or socioeconomic background, providing more resources for those who struggle with mental illness, and investing in medical research.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I started my business in 1991 with one small store. With a long-term vision, innovative mindset, and the partnership of all of my team members, we were able to grow Total Wine and More into the nation's largest independent wine retailer, creating over 9,000 jobs across the country and over 800 right here in Maryland.

I bring that mindset into Congress (although I've learned that government tends to work a lot more slowly than business does). I also learned about compassion and the importance of giving back. Total Wine has partnered with countless non-profit organizations across the country to help out communities in need; compassion is something that we need more of in government.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?Excellent constituent service is what truly matters. It's why I've opened four offices across the district — to be present and ready to help when someone needs it. In the last year, my office resolved more than 4,300 problems constituents had with the federal government and saved or returned more than $16 million to Marylanders. Serving the people is my job, and I take it very seriously.

Why should voters trust you?
I'm in Congress to serve the people of the 6th District, not anybody else. I don't take any money from PACs, lobbyists, or corporations. I never have, and I never will. Because they didn't elect me to serve — the voters did, and the wellbeing of my constituents is my number one priority.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
In government, as in business, long-term thinking is what drives success. The spending of taxpayer dollars should not be taken lightly, and those investments should be meaningful and serve a purpose. Investments in education, medical research, or mental health are all going to bring huge returns over a long period of time and will leave our country better off than it was before. That should be the goal.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
None of us accomplishes anything without the help of others.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I'm here to serve you, and I'm willing to do whatever I can to help you when you need it. If my team and I can ever be of assistance, do not hesitate to reach out. You can call 240-907-2392 or email info@davidtrone.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Meet The Candidate: Neil Parrott For 6th Congressional District