Bernard Flowers

Bernard Flowers was born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987 to 2008. Flowers earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 1987 and a graduate degree from Golden Gate University in 1991. He graduated from the United States Air Force War College in 2006. His career experience includes working in cybersecurity for the federal government. Flowers has been associated with Disabled American Veterans, the Ft. Meade Rifle and Pistol Club, and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Berney Flowers is a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Maryland’s 3rd District. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, he served nearly 21 years on active duty, including an assignment to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. His career included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, with missions across 22 countries and 43 states. After military service, Berney worked in banking, then returned to the Department of Defense as a civil servant, helping stand up U.S. Cyber Command and later serving as NORAD and U.S. Northern Command’s Senior Technical Advisor to Ft Meade. Before retiring from DoD, he supported refugee resettlement and border defense efforts as a Senior Advisor to DHS. Married for over 38 years, Berney is a father, grandfather, longtime community volunteer, author, and podcast host.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Our Nation's Founding Principles Are Under Attack. I Intend To Protect Freedom, Faith And FamilyAfter 21 Years Of Active Duty Military Service And 13 Years As A Senior Civil Servant, Berney Knows How To Defend America.Berney Intends To Empower Parents and Restore Excellence In Education. Berney Will Protect Parental Rights And Promote Education, Not Indoctrination.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

National Defense, Immigration Reform, Middle Class Affordability, Fiscal Reform, Term Limits, and Infrastructure Renewal.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Veterans For America First

Bernard Flowers did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Flowers' campaign website stated the following:

People Before Politics:

Prioritize people over party, address the economy, amplify voices, tackle immigration, term limits, and fiscal responsibility.

I will always keep People before Politics. I will fight for Term Limits, Fiscal Responsibility and Collaboration for a better future!

Empowerment Through Education:

Depoliticize public schools, empower parents, teachers, and local communities.

I recognize the transformative power of education in shaping the future of our nation. I am committed to supporting parental rights, delivering access to Charter School Vouchers, and expanding Technical Education opportunities while focusing on School Safety.

Prioritizing America’s Security:

End endless wars, and focus on domestic security.

In an ever-changing world, a strong and secure America is paramount. As a veteran and retired Civil Servant, I am dedicated to bolstering our national security. With a constitutional focus on securing our borders, I promise to uphold the principles that make America the land of the free and stop the criminal influence that is overwhelming our neighborhoods.

Building Prosperity:

Encourage home ownership, protect against predatory lending, support small businesses, diversify credit-building methods, and promote domestic manufacturing.

Economic prosperity is a key to America’s future! By eliminating Government Waste, Lowering Taxes, and Promoting US Manufacturing, Small Businesses, and Employment, I will create an economic landscape that benefits all Americans! I will also lead the fight against the growing predatory-style lending that is on the rise as struggling Americans fight Joe Biden’s steep inflation. Together, we can build a nation where everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

Enhance Family-Focused Policies:

Increase childcare tax credits, invest in school repairs, and foster innovation hubs connecting educational institutions with federal R&D.

At the heart of my campaign is a commitment to policies that strengthen American families. I understand the importance of creating an environment where every family can thrive and respecting family values. I will fight for increased Childcare Tax Credits.[2]

—Bernard Flowers' campaign website (2024)[3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Why am I running for Congress? I love America. I owe it greatly and as a retired military officer, I swore to keep it from harm. In January 2022, I was a senior DoD civil servant with over 13 years of high level, successful service. Before that, I served nearly 21 years in the US Air Force, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, S. Korea and even the Ukraine. Today, I am a candidate for Congress because I didn't like the direction in which our country is headed. So, I quit my job to pursue the fight against the incumbent Congressman in District 2, who I believe is no longer working effectively for his constituents, after over 19 years in office.

Very Respectfully/Berney Flowers

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We Believe In Strong Connected FamiliesWe Believe In Freedom Of Individual ChoiceWe Believe Responsible, Limited Government Working For Citizens.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

We Are Passionate About Improving Public Eduction In Maryland.

We Are Passionate About Reducing Crime, Specifically In Great Baltimore.

We Are Passionate About Supporting Legal Immigration And Stopping Illegal Immigration.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Abraham Lincoln freed my ancestors and preserved the union.

MLK was the greatest humanitarian I have known. His non-violent protests were courageous and dignified, and showed the world that American Black people were to be taken seriously.

Fredrick Douglas showed courage and dignity to all Americans, but especially Black Americans.

General Smedley Butler retired as the most decorated soldier of his generation. He reminds me that we should be careful to avoid foreign wars. War should be used only to defend our country and our allies. It should be declared by Congress. It should not be used to line the pockets of big business.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

No.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Calmness, Rational thought, and resoluteness in decision making and responsibility to the taxpayers.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a very extensive background working at some the highest levels of government over the past 34 years. I decided that I personally, should try to make a positive change in the direction of our government. My time in the Federal bureaucracy allows me to know "where the bones are buried" so to speak. I understand the budget process, and how agencies are supposed to work with Congress.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

responsibility to the taxpayers.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was a good man who cared about his country.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the run up to the 1972 Nixon election. I was 6 years old and remember my family discussing its conservative values. They all voted for Nixon.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Cleaning my local church was my Mom's way of bringing in extra money. The whole family cleaned our local church every Saturday in my home town, until I got big enough to do farm work. I have always had a job of some sort.

What is your favorite book? Why?

War Is A Racket, by Gen Smedley Butler

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Whale Song.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have too many struggles in my life to county.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It's the people's house and should represent the citizens point of view. Right now, I don't see that to be true.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that good people do not need to have previous political experience to succeed in politics. It helps to have a working knowledge of government like I have, but I also believe in term limits. POTUS has 50 years in government and his decision-making skills have not helped the American people at all. It's time for new blood in our government, to include the civil service.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We must stop this divisive thinking. It's tearing our country apart. Critical Race Theory and the idea that people should be judged by their respective skin color, ideology or sexual preferences must be stopped. "A House Divided Cannot Stand".

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I will serve where Maryland needs me to serve.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

n/a

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe that 4 years would be a more appropriate term for Congressional Reps. The current 2 year term makes rep have to constantly beg for money, and thus become ineffective.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I totally support them.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

No.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I don't know any jokes.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

It depends on the situation.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would use that power to reign in the bureaucracy in the executive branch.