Christian Benford

Taxes / Budget Christian fully supports the County Executive’s priority to levy a business personal property tax on data centers and will push this tax to be invested in green energy projects and residential services, such as transportation infrastructure, school construction, and affordable housing. Infrastructure / Transportation Besides the immense costs of environmental mitigation, data centers lack delivery to constituents in economic opportunities, and are a strain on natural resources. When Frederick residents are struggling to afford the basics, like home costs, groceries, and childcare, the county is prioritizing business interests over its citizens. Developers must be held accountable and must be transparent with the community. Detailed studies on pre-and post utility usage numbers will be top priority to measure future projects. Wages / Job Benefits Christian will lead the fight to pass a county wage-theft ordinance, creating a local labor council to proactively investigate complaints, hold predatory employers accountable, and ensure workers receive every dollar they have earned. Arts / Culture He will work to expand public garden programs and partner with local farmers to create community gardening clubs, making our county more self-sufficient and reconnecting residents with our agricultural heritage. Christian wants individuals to have the opportunity to be able to produce their own goods in exchange for supporting our incredible farmer community by providing volunteer work. Education Christian will advocate to expand access to school-based mental health services, strengthen programs that address student food insecurity, and invest in after-school and enrichment opportunities to ensure every student, regardless of background, has the support they need to succeed. Wages / Job Benefits He will champion a new program to specifically support worker-owned cooperatives, providing them with the technical assistance and incentives to get off the ground. This creates local, resilient businesses that keep wealth in the community. Infrastructure / Transportation Christian will partner with the state to advance the Route 40 multimodal plan while focusing locally on creating safe, "complete streets" that safely accommodate walkers, cyclists, and drivers. Infrastructure / Transportation Through regular town halls and nonprofit roundtables, he will create a direct line for community feedback to shape policy priorities and ensure equitable disbursement of partnership grants. Economy Christian will fund and expand County programs that provide job and career-change skills training for low-income and working-class individuals for critical job programs, as well as expanding internship and part-time opportunities for students, creating clear pathways to stable, well-paying careers and county employment. Environment / Energy He will champion a county-wide initiative to build rain gardens and bioswales, which naturally filter water, reduce erosion, and mitigate flooding in vulnerable areas, all while creating green jobs. Education Christian will pursue a comprehensive funding strategy that includes exploring a high earners tax, implementing a business personal property tax, and re-evaluating the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to ensure growth pays for growth, creating a stable and equitable revenue stream that fully meets the needs of Frederick County Public Schools. Education Christian will fight to ensure every school employee earns a living wage that reflects the true cost of living in Frederick County, while supporting collective bargaining, improving working conditions, and investing in retention strategies so educators can build sustainable careers in the communities they serve. Wages / Job Benefits From enforcing safety standards through rental licensing to creating green jobs in environmental maintenance, Christian will ensure county policy allows workers to collectively bargain without retaliation, have adequate safety and health protections, and shield them from exploitation. Infrastructure / Transportation Christian will be a relentless advocate to finally build the Westside Regional Park and West Frederick Library, providing transparent updates to move these vital assets from plan to reality.