Brenda J. Thiam

Brenda J. Thiam (born September 9, 1969)[2] is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Republican Party. She was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 2B, which covers parts of Washington County, from 2020 to 2023. Her appointment to the seat was announced on September 23, 2020, filling the vacancy created when Paul D. Corderman was appointed to the Maryland Senate.[3] She was sworn in on October 6, 2020.[1]

Brenda J. Thiam
Thiam in 2021
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 2B district
In office
October 6, 2020 – January 11, 2023
Appointed byLarry Hogan
Preceded byPaul D. Corderman
Succeeded byBrooke Grossman
Personal details
Born (1969-09-09) September 9, 1969
Raeford, North Carolina
Political partyRepublican
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (until 2012)
SpouseMarried
Children1
Alma materNorth Carolina Central University, B.S. (physical education), 1994; University of Maryland, College Park, M.Ed. (special education), 2002; Capella University, Ph.D. (special education leadership), 2015. Pennsylvania State University, graduate certificate (applied behavior management), 2017[1]
ProfessionBehavioral health specialist
WebsiteOfficial website

Career

Thiam was a successful candidate for Hagerstown city council in the nonpartisan 2020 primary.[4] Thiam announced her withdrawal from the race, but she remained on the ballot for the 2020 general election.[5][6]

Thiam is a behavioral health specialist.[3] She has a post-doctorate certificate in applied behavior analysis from Penn State; a doctorate in special education leadership from Capella University; a master's degree in education/special education from the University of Maryland; and a bachelor's degree in physical education from North Carolina Central University.[7]

In the legislature

Thiam was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on October 6, 2020.[3] She is the first Black Republican woman to serve in the Maryland General Assembly[3] and the first Black Republican to serve in the legislature in nearly three decades after Aris T. Allen died in office in 1991.[8]

Thiam ran for election in 2022, seeking a full term in the Maryland House of Delegates. She won the Republican primary election on July 19, 2022,[9] but was defeated by Democratic challenger Brooke Grossman in the general election on November 8.[10][11]

Personal life

Thiam is married and has a daughter.[12] She says she changed her voter registration from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 2012.[13]

Election results
  • 2020 Hagerstown City Council primary[4]
Non-Partisan Candidates - Vote for up to 5
NameTotalPercentageOutcome
Kristin B. Aleshire3,76213.20%Won
Shelley McIntire3,05210.70%Won
Bob Bruchey2,517  8.80%Won
Tiara Burnett2,513  8.80%Won
Penny May Nigh2,451  8.60%Won
Brenda J. Thiam2,420  8.50%Won
Peter E. Perini, Sr.2,021  7.10%Won
Austin Heffernan1,990  7.00%Won
Tekesha A. Martinez1,972  6.90%Won
Brooke Grossman1,907  6.70%Won
Chip Snyder1,825  6.40%
Matthew J. Schindler1,586  5.50%
Travis Aaron Sites   585  2.00%

References
  1. "Brenda J. Thiam, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  2. Miner, Ryan (February 21, 2016). "A brief summary of who applied for the vacant Washington County commissioner seat". A Miner Detail. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  3. "Governor Hogan Announces Appointment of Dr. Brenda J. Thiam to the Maryland House of Delegates". Official Website for the Governor of Maryland (Press release). September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  4. "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 2, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  5. Nowell, Joyce F. (September 23, 2020). "Now appointed, Thiam anxious to get to work in Annapolis". The Herald-Mail. Hagerstown, Maryland. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  6. "Washington County 2020 Presidential General Election Local Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  7. Shea, Tim (September 22, 2020). "Thiam 'very excited' to be nominated to fill Md. House delegate seat". The Herald-Mail. Hagerstown, Maryland. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  8. Kurtz, Josh (September 24, 2020). "Legislative Black Caucus Welcomes Republican Into the Fold". Maryland Matters. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  9. "Live updates: Holsinger overtakes Albert for sheriff". The Herald-Mail. July 19, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  10. Greene, Julie E. (November 10, 2022). "Republican incumbent concedes Maryland House of Delegates seat after more ballots counted". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  11. Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh (November 11, 2022). "Counting continues: Democratic legislators in tight races and Rep. David Trone claim victory". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  12. Kinnally, Kevin (September 22, 2020). "Central Committee Nominates Brenda Thiam to Replace Corderman in House of Delegates". Conduit Street. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  13. Waldman, Tyler (October 7, 2020). "Thiam, first Black Republican woman to serve as state delegate, 'excited' for new role". WBAL (AM). Retrieved October 8, 2020.
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