Terri Hill
Candidate in May 14 primary
Democratic
Columbia, Howard County
Age: 65 on day of General Election (Nov. 5)
Occupation: Physician/Surgeon, State Legislator
Education: A.B., Harvard University; M.D. Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons
Previous political experience: State Legislator, MD (elected in 2014)
Why are you running for office?
As the only African American woman in the race, I bring a missing voice to Maryland’s 10-person all male delegation. As a surgeon and small business owner of a clinical practice for more than 30 years, I am sensitive to how economic and health policy impacts families and communities – enhancing or impairing their sense of safety and security. I built my career on listening to patients’ stories and have had the privilege of being their advocate both as a physician and state delegate in the Maryland General Assembly, where I have served since 2015. Vocal advocacy in Congress is critical with reproductive and academic freedom, historic truth, and privacy, LGTBQA+, and immigrant rights at risk. Only 3 of Congress’ 19 physicians are women; none are Black. My experience, skills, perspective, and compassion are needed to help find informed, sustainable answers to problems like climate, addiction, economic insecurity, health care, and gun violence. My voice is additive not redundant.
Do you believe, as President Joe Biden has said, that “democracy is on the ballot” and, if so, in what way?
Yes. Organized attacks on voting, civil, and human rights; activist SCOTUS and lower courts arbitrary in applying novel legal theory, lacking deference for precedent, and inarguably committed to rescinding rights; ascendant MAGA Republicans wielding outsized influence, determined to destroy systems and institutions; an ex-president who should be taken at his word if re-elected – he will rule like a dictator. At a time with candidates refusing to accept election results unless they win, and still not admitting that Joe Biden is the legitimate POTUS, the threat is real and urgent. Calling “alternative facts” out as lies and rebuilding respect for the role of truth and science in public discord and policy are among my priorities. As an elected official, I remain committed to good government and standing up to extremists. With the same skills required to diagnose thoughtfully and execute treatment plans as a physician, I will continue to legislate with intentionality and transparency.
Will you accept the presidential election result once the totals have been certified by the states and any legal challenges adjudicated?
Yes. I am confident that our systems are secure and the public servants handling the voting operations and procedures are doing their duty to uphold their oaths.
The right to vote and to vote in districts that are drawn with fidelity, allowing voters to choose their representative and not the other way around is crucial to our democracy. I support needed democratic reform to ensure restoration of preservation of voting rights and equal access to the ballot, improve election security, end partisan gerrymandering, and reduce the influence of money in our elections. I would take steps in support of re-introduction and passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act.
Do you support additional assistance for Ukraine’s military forces two years into Russia’s invasion?
Yes. I do not believe that Putin will not stop with Ukraine and Eastern European countries should be on high alert. While not a hawk by any means, I do believe that aggression that is rewarded leads to further aggression. I support Ukraine and its people and believe that the U.S. has a legitimate interest in its survival as a sovereign nation.
Should the United States be speaking out more clearly, as Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has suggested, about civilian casualties in Gaza?
Hamas, its leadership, and others involved on October 7 must be held to account. But I do not believe that this current military campaign is the way to do so. The military response in Gaza has tragically taken the lives of many innocent civilians, increasing suffering without creating a path for peace or security. I support the pursuit of a diplomatic strategy to end the war that includes a mutual cessation of hostilities, on all sides, the immediate release and return of all the hostages, and the necessary humanitarian relief to Gaza.
In addition to Sen. Van Hollen’s clarity, I appreciate Sen. Chuck Schumer identifying as obstacles to peace Hamas and the supporters of their tactics, radical right-wing Israelis in government and society, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Should Congress act to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision?
Reproductive services as health care decisions should be between the patient, their provider, and whomever the patient may choose to include not the government. Restoration of the right to abortion and bodily autonomy is a priority. My legislative record on reproductive health is solid, including protecting access to abortion, funding community health clinics, and codifying a constitutional right to abortion. As a woman physician of color, I know the country’s history of controlling the uterus as a tool of oppression and appreciate the significance of coordinated efforts to retreat on reproductive freedom, and its potentially devastating impact on individual, privacy, civil, and human rights writ large. I remember the pre-Roe days and am not surprised at the devastations woman and families have experienced since Dobbs. The stakes are high. I have the experience, skills, standing, and passion to engage and lead on this fight in Congress returning choice to Americans nationwide.
Constituents are increasingly expressing concern about suburban crime. What more can the federal government do to help?
I support President Biden’s Safer America Plan, which focuses on community policing, constitutional policing, hiring, and training police officers for careers and providing them with benefits such as tuition reimbursements and bonuses. The plan also provides funding for prevention strategies such as mental health care and substance abuse treatments. Support of crises intervention resources, justice reform, for research on use of psychedelics and other substances that have shown promise in limited studies for breaking addiction without requiring sustained use, and for long-prohibited research on gun violence. Common sense gun laws must be part of the federal government’s response to help with crime and violence.
During his time in Congress, John Sarbanes was widely seen as a leader in political reform including reducing the influence of big-monied interests. Do you see an obligation to carry on that legacy?
Rep. Sarbanes leaves a legacy of political reform, Chesapeake Bay restoration, student loan forgiveness and strong constituent services. I would carry forward and build on this. As a physician, my priorities include healthcare. I’d work to make prescription drugs affordable, eliminate barriers to quality, affordable health care and advocate for healthcare accessibility across the life span, including mental and behavioral health. In my view, environmental, economic, and criminal justice are heath care issues in the end, because their failings create unhealthy spaces to live in, degrade the quality of life, and increase stress, impacting health. The emergency room is where people land when our societal nets fray. My legislative efforts to create a prospective, data driven, scientific approach to policy mitigates damaging, unintended consequences by helping us anticipate and protect against future harm in developing environmental, economic, and criminal reform policies and programs.
Editor’s note: Baltimore Sun Media received this candidate’s responses on March 16.
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