Herb McMillan Runs For Anne Arundel County Executive

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — It's primary election season in Maryland. Early voting runs from Thursday, July 7 through Thursday, July 14. Primary election day is Tuesday, July 19. Voters can also return their ballot by mail or place it in a dropbox.

Residents can learn when, where and how to can vote by clicking here. Voters can see which districts they live in by using this tool. Visit this link to see who is running in each district.

Patch asked County Council and county executive candidates to complete a questionnaire outlining their priorities. Anne Arundel County executive candidate Herb McMillan participated in our survey. McMillan's unedited responses are posted below.

Name

Herb McMillan

Campaign website

https://www.herbmcmillan.com

City or town of residence

Annapolis

Office sought

County Executive

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

I graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and earned 2 letters in rugby.

Occupation

My current occupation is Captain of American Airlines (737). I have been with American Airlines for 31 years. Prior to that, I was an active duty Navy Officer/Navy pilot for 11 years.

Family

Father of four (two wonderful sons and two wonderful daughters). The family prefers to stay out of the public spotlight as much as possible, and I rarely involve them in the campaign.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Age

64

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Member of the Annapolis City Council – 4 years.
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates – 12 years.

Why are you seeking this office?

I left politics a few years ago, largely because I felt I had already contributed a lot to the community over the years as a volunteer and elected official, and also because I was tired of political machines, backroom deals, and politicians who put their egos and personal interests over what was best for the public. Not long after leaving politics, I began to recognize there were few elected leaders who would stand up for the people. It became even more apparent when COVID hit. Most local Republican elected officials simply were not out in the community. Voting for resolutions that failed seemed to be the extent of their leadership, and they seemed to believe that was all that was required of them. I became involved in politics again, submitting opinion pieces to local media that were well received, organizing and attending meetings and rallies about local issues, and other activities. People began to ask me to run, because they believe that I could beat Steuart Pittman, and provide the leadership necessary to make Anne Arundel County great again.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue facing my constituents is good fiscal public policy that reestablishes economic stability and security. Voters are paying taxes that are too high, with the incumbent having raised income, property, and rain taxes. Fees, such as trash, were raised in the past few years. And yet when the government has a surplus, it puts too much away for the future instead of returning more to the people in the form of tax breaks. County spending increased 38% under Pittman. We need to reign in spending. We must work to attract more businesses and create jobs, such as those that can tap into the military institutions (Naval Academy and Ft. Meade) and existing defense industry (i.e. bring in more vendors and suppliers to operate locally). We need to train the workforce in key areas like high-tech, and provide incentives for companies to open up here.

Upon getting elected, I intend to scrutinize every area of spending and every opportunity to strengthen our economy, and bring my proven record of cutting taxes (including property taxes) and eliminating wasteful government spending to county government.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I not only have real electability in November, but also the ability to work with a County Council of any make-up to ensure that conservative policies are implemented. I am the only Republican candidate who has run, and won (four times), in districts where Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats. Anne Arundel County has more Democrats than Republicans. No Republican can win this seat in November without the support of Democrats and Independents. One of my opponents is married to the Chairman of the State Republican Party. She will not be able to win over Democrats and Independents, because she’s tied too closely to his political machine, and they won’t buy that that she is less partisan than he is. She does not have electability.
And upon getting elected, I can actually implement the policies I have campaigned on, unlike my opponents. For example, I have a stronger record on economic matters than any of my opponents. All of my Republican primary opponents have either raised taxes or voted against tax cuts (including rain tax and income taxes). I have a consistent record. Even when as a Republican on a Democrat-majority council, I was able to collaborate with colleagues across the aisle to sponsor and successfully pass property tax cuts. One of my opponents campaigned 4 years ago on a 3% property tax cut, but failed to make it happen, and blames the Democrats for not passing it. I have a record of support from people from all parties, and collaboration with colleagues from across the aisle, without compromising my conservative and common sense values.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

In the Primary, I am not challenging an incumbent but I am challenging a sitting office holder who failed to keep campaign pledges to cut property taxes 3%, hire 200 police officers, and be an effective Republican leader (for example, she voted to condemn Donald Trump and ban him from ever holding office again, voted against cutting income taxes, and failed to even get a two-month amusement tax reduction passed). In the November General, I will face the incumbent who has been irresponsible to voters. Steuart Pittman unnecessarily shut down businesses and harmed our families economically, he shut schools and harmed our children’s education, he failed to use budget surpluses to roll back his tax hikes, and he didn’t back our law enforcement at critical times.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I intend to lead a government that works for the people, and to that end will heighten transparency, hold government employees accountable, upgrade technology and processes to streamline government services, and hire the most qualified people for county government positions.

Crime and public safety are also key issues. It is critical to work with law enforcement and first responders, ensuring that they receive respect, financial support, and equipment they need. I will reinstate the 287g program and restore collaboration with the federal government to remove violent illegal immigrant felons and gang members who make our streets dangerous. I would work with community and business leaders to create a plan for balanced development, so we can protect our environment while also ensuring reasonable growth. And I would work to improve road safety, improving infrastructure and reducing traffic and congestion.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

On taxes, I served as the President of the Maryland Taxpayers Association, the largest non-profit, non-partisan anti-tax advocacy organization in the state, and am unyielding on the need for lower taxes. My record supports that, with my success in cutting taxes (including property taxes) and in voting more than 100 times against taxes and fees. My strong fiscal record, my ability to get the most legislation passed of any Anne Arundel County delegate during my time in the legislature, and my ability to work with Republican and Democrat colleagues to find common-sense solutions are proven by my record. Furthermore, I am not beholden to special interests and I am independent-minded without compromising my belief in conservative values and Constitutional rights.
Even my opponent’s spouse, Dirk Haire, commended me in the past for being a well-liked elected official and for my success in getting legislation passed. In addition to my success in the political arena, I have broader success in public service, including my U.S. military service as a Navy pilot, and community service as a PTA president, youth football coach, and homeowners’ association board member.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“Never forget how you got there.”

When someone works hard and climbs a ladder to leadership, rung by rung, there are opportunities to learn at every step and from people throughout the process. Likewise, when someone descends from their leadership position in disgrace, they should identify their mistakes that led to their downfall. When I entered the Naval Academy, it was a great honor and moment of pride. But I had long years of very hard and humbling work that helped build my character. One of my favorite parts of a campaign is door-knocking and grassroots activities; rolling up my sleeves to be out in the community, meeting individual voters, hearing their concerns, and learned about their experiences.

From this advice, I always remember that every encounter with someone and experience, good and bad, is an opportunity to learn from others, have an open mind to explore other paths, and be able to say you made a mistake. Part of this is also not being afraid to admit when I am wrong.

Everyone can make mistakes, but leaders often shirk responsibility, make poor excuses, or blame others when something goes wrong. I don’t believe leadership is about perfection. I think it is about recognizing the people and experiences that got you there, and always working for those who gave you the tremendous responsibility and honor of representing them.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My education at the U.S. Naval Academy and my service as a Navy pilot have shaped my values and served as the bedrock for my public service. My service in the community as a PTA president and youth football coach have prepared me for this job of working in and with the community, and listening to their concerns and ideas. My proven ability to win elections in majority-Democrat district has prepared me for this race against an incumbent Democrat. My proven record of accomplishment as a Councilman and State Delegate has prepared me to serve as your County Executive. I have bold ideas and solid plans to help local families, including my Tax Cut ‘N Cap, which would cut income taxes 12% and then cap it, so politicians couldn’t raise it without a voter referendum.

I respectfully ask for your vote. To learn more about my plans for Anne Arundel County, please visit my www.herbmcmillan.com Take a few minutes today to make an informed choice that will impact you and your family for the next four years.