Katie Clendaniel

Katie Clendaniel earned a high school diploma from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, a bachelor's degree from Massey University in 2004, and a graduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2009.

Her career experience includes working in community development.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a mom to an 11 year old daughter, and a working professional on the Eastern Shore. I have dedicated the last 20 plus years of my career to supporting community and economic development in our region. I have a passion for building sustainable enriching communities that people want to work and raise their families in. I have also worked extensively with local organizations, agencies, and local government on providing rural transportation, senior, housing, and disability services. I have spent many days in Annapolis and working throughout the year with statewide advocacy organizations working to progress funding and legislation that help us improve our local communities. I have a detailed understanding of the disadvantages we navigate in our region, and personally experience them myself.

I am Eastern Shore native with deep family roots in our District. I was raised in our local public school classrooms. Both my parents were educators in Dorchester County for over 30 years. I spent many hours behind the scenes learning about what goes into our education system and how teaching touches the lives of children.

I've spent my life trying to understand our world. I studied Applied Anthropology working on important historic and current social issues like indigenous rights, local cultural heritage, environmental issues including flooding & climate change. As a young student, I didn't just want to study our communities; it was important to take part in making our world better.

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?

1 - Healthcare - we need to fill the gaps existing here in access to healthcare. We need more practicing doctors and especially specialists. We need to incentivize doctors to open up practices to fill the gap. Second, supporting efforts to train rural doctors here via residency programs. If we train rural doctors here, some of them may stay and raise their families.

2 - Economic Development - #1 - supporting state incentives built for the Eastern Shore and other rural regions of Maryland. Many many times businesses do not qualify for state incentives because they don't produce 100+ jobs. Any business setting up here with 25+ jobs is significant to us. We need incentives that work for us here.3 - Investing in local Infrastructure - the tax base in many of our communities is "underwater" and these infrastructure projects are a financial challenge for local government. Our region is experiencing a real crisis in terms of providing basic water and sewer services due to aging infrastructure and demand for growth in municipalities. We have room for growth here with targeted investment. Investment here will also support broader economic development initiatives and needs.4 - Education - Education is a significant economic development as well as a social issue here on the Shore. Huge disparities exist between school districts in Maryland, and our expectations for their performance are significant. Schools are also helping to support our kids through tough social and emotional challenges, but many times their hands are tied.

5 - Environmental Resilience - Our region is one of the most impacted by flooding and storms, which we are seeing increase over time. We are also experiencing weather fluctuations that are leading to drought and damaging rains impacting our ag and seafood industries, & taxing our infrastructure.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about education, environmental resiliency especially related to flooding, storms & water quality, regional housing, and community & economic development on the Eastern Shore. Balancing these areas in our region will define our social and community landscape over the next 50 years. Our economy here on the Shore is changing and we need policies and programming that help us grow while also balancing building sustainable communities.

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

I look up to legislators and elected officials like Barbara Mikulski, State Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Local Councilmen Pete Lesher & Brian Roche. These folks show true passion for our communities and our people.

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

Honesty & integrity. So many people have lost faith in government and elected officials. I also value hard work, due diligence, and authenticity.

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

Core responsibilities include 1) constituent services; 2) legislation - weighing in on, amending, and proposing legislation that specifically impacts our district; 3) voting on the state budget, stewardship of taxpayer funds.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I would like to leave is one where people said - Katie did something good for us. Secondly, I would like my community, my family, my friends, and especially my daughter to be proud of my words, actions, and deeds. I want to leave a legacy of honesty and integrity, always showing people respect, and true community impact leaving our home district better then how I found it.

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

My first job was working our family produce stand in Trappe. The stand was started by my uncle and put many kids through school. I always helped work it with the big kids, helped my grandmother in the kitchen bake bread, and serve meals to the crew. I was the last one to run it on my own at 12 years old. Following that I always worked babysitting and bussing tables at local restaurants.

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

Beyond everyday struggles, I think finding and accepting my purpose has been the toughest. When you find your purpose, success follows. Sometimes we don't have the luxury to follow that purpose, and accepting you can't pursue something you are passionate about is difficult.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Ideally, the Executive Branch and the Legislature are working hand in hand to accomplish top priorities for the state and individual regions. The Governor has / or should have a pulse on the state in its entirety which is important here due to the huge disparities that exist between rural and urban communities. How the Governor executes our state program is important because it reflects on the whole of state representation. In Maryland, because the budget is proposed by the Governor's office - and the legislature cannot ADD funds to the budget, only take away funds - the relationship is especially important. We have seen the breakdown in the relationship between the two breakdown progress.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Many. for the state energy generation is an issue that will require long term and short term investment. Second is Education. Our schools are struggling and the are not getting the attention by legislators they need right now. Third, economic. We need to balance taxes with a climate that supports our business community. The landscape of employers and jobs is changing and we need to be cognizant of what supports business success here in Maryland.

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

I do. Its something we have left behind. I believe that progress is important. We can't always take 10 steps but we can take two or three. Too often we fail to make progress because we make perfection the enemy of the good. Progress also helps build momentum, and can prove success that will generate additional support down the track.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Talbot County Councilman Pete Lesher, Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Candidate for House of Representatives Michele Waxman-Johnson.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

I remember watching the Space shuttle Challenger exploding on TV. I also remember watching Ronald Reagan speaking as President on Television.