Dawn D. Gile

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

As a military spouse, I am acutely aware of the risks taken by those in uniform while serving and protecting our communities, and our police and first responders have my support. I will work to get the resources that our police, fire, and emergency services need while ensuring that accountability and transparency measures are in place to build greater trust in law enforcement from our communities. Learn more

Defense / Veterans

Finally, we need to keep military retirees in Maryland, and I support military retirement tax relief and other measures to keep military retirees from moving out of Maryland. Learn more

We should implement better programs and policies, such as resource centers and improved incentives for veteran-owned businesses, to support service members transitioning out of our Armed Forces and to encourage them to establish roots in Maryland post-military service. We must also develop a better plan to address veteran mental health issues and the toll that the unseen wounds of war can have. I would also advocate for military children in our public schools. Military life and the burdens of frequent moving and separation already make life difficult for military kids. Schools should provide appropriate services to military children to meet their unique needs. Learn more

Economy

We must also consider the disparate impact that economic inequality and other workforce barriers have had on certain populations in achieving their full potential. I support innovative policies and programs that would encourage and assist businesses owned by women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans. Learn more

Local businesses are the foundation of our community. We must ensure that policies are in place to support business development and to create jobs. Many local businesses were hard hit by the recent pandemic and economic downturn. I will advocate for small businesses by supporting policies, such as tax incentives, that promote economic growth. Learn more

Education

I fully support giving our schools and teachers the funding they need. We also need to fairly compensate our teachers and bring our school facilities and educational technology into the 21st century. I will address overcrowding so that our teachers are not spread so thin that they cannot meet the needs of each student. In addition, I believe it is imperative that we better support our educators by immediately addressing teacher burnout and severe recruitment issues. Learn more

Quality childcare continues to be difficult to find and is often far too expensive for working families. Women, in particular, are disproportionately impacted by unreliable or inadequate childcare. I support the expansion of programs, such as funding for community-based programs as well as subsidies or vouchers, so that working families do not have to worry about who will care for their children when they are working. Learn more

Studies also show that attending a high-quality pre-kindergarten program has a meaningful impact on childhood development. However, many families cannot afford preschool. I support a statewide pre-kindergarten program so that all children have access to preschool during this critical time period in child development. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay as well as our other waterways is one of my top concerns. We need to ensure that we’re investing in restoring oyster habitats, stemming harmful stormwater runoff, and holding polluters accountable. Cleaner waterways lead to cleaner habitats for Bay creatures, including blue crabs. Supporting Bay restoration efforts in effect helps support Maryland’s watermen and seafood industry. Learn more

Any sound environmental policy must also consider how low-income communities and communities of color have been made especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of climate change and pollution. These communities are central in the discussion of environmental issues, and Maryland should ensure that environmental policies give all communities a healthy environment where they can thrive. I support the expansion of the urban tree canopy as well as other initiatives to protect communities facing greater environmental and health risks. Learn more

Guns

I am also alarmed by the rise of gun violence, and I support commonsense gun legislation that would keep our communities safe. Learn more

Healthcare

Health care is a fundamental right that every Marylander deserves. However, there are tremendous inequities in access to affordable, quality health care, and prescription drug prices are more than what many Marylanders can afford. As your state Senator, I will fight for more affordable prescription drugs to ensure every Marylander gets the medicine they need at a reasonable price. Learn more

I will also advocate for improved mental health care access. Prior to attending law school, I worked for several years on an inpatient hospital psychiatric unit and saw firsthand the impact that bed shortages and lack of mental health care access can cause to vulnerable individuals in crisis. I will work to destigmatize mental illness and to expand access to behavioral and mental health care services that many Marylanders desperately ne. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I also support paid family leave. Our country is far behind the rest of the world in enacting paid family leave, and now is the time to provide this much-needed support for families. Quality, affordable childcare for infants is especially difficult to find, and paid family leave would give parents an opportunity to care for infants during a crucial stage in development. Learn more