Politics & Government

Baltimore County's Bailey Makes Pitch for District 12 Seat

Brian Bailey may be new to Howard County politics, but he has years of experience in Baltimore County.

By Andrew Metcalf

The newly redistricted District 12 includes two counties, six cities, and no incumbents. The campaign for District 12's three delegate seats is already well underway with five candidates registered.

Brian S. Bailey, a Baltimore County Democrat, hopes his message of good government, healthcare experience and a moving personal story can help him get elected to the state house.

Bailey, 28, is a Landsdowne native with significant Baltimore County roots. He graduated from Landsdowne High, then received his degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He served on the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee from 2006 to 2010, eventually becoming the group's youngest chairman in history. At the same time he worked as a manager for state affairs with the American Urological Association's health policy division during the height of healthcare reform.

In 2010 he ran for Baltimore County Council, but lost.

"I ran a good campaign," said Bailey. "I raised a lot of money, had a lot of endorsements, knocked on thousands and thousands of doors, but it wasn't enough. I was a gracious loser."

Then, in 2011, he left the place he called home his entire life and headed to Arizona. He took a position as the executive director of the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association. In that job he worked with the state to help develop a solution to underground gasoline storage containers. 

"They had tanks around the state that would become old and leak," said Bailey. "I helped the association work with the state of Arizona to deal with the public health issue."

Eventually, the state implemented a one cent tax to raise funds to clean up what Bailey called "orphan sites", where mom and pop gas stations couldn't afford to fix leaky tanks.

At the same time Bailey was diagnosed with cancer. 

"About four months after living in Arizona, I found out I had cancer," said Bailey. "Doctors found a mass the size of a softball residing in my chest."

Bailey was told he had an extremely rare form of testicular cancer that caused tumors in the chest and abdomen. The news brought him back to Baltimore, after he found out the best place to be treated was at Johns Hopkins.

He underwent chemotherapy in 2012, including open chest surgery in October. By January of 2013 he was informed he was in remission.

"Once I beat cancer I was pretty elated," said Bailey. "It was probably the best New Year's present anyone could get. I found, diagnosed, treated and beat cancer all in less than a year."

Bailey said his experience as both a patient and an employee with American Urological Association gave him an insider's view of the American healthcare system. He said this experience will help him guide legislation at the state level as Maryland implements theAffordable Care Act.

"I worked for a medical society for five years," said Bailey, "then flip the coin, I also saw it from a patient level."

He said the issues his campaign will focus on is education, good government and future leadership.

With the retirement of former District 12 delegates Elizabeth Bobo, Steve DeBoy and Jimmy Malone; Bailey said this election will represent a generational shift for the District.

"This is a chance for District 12 to elect new leaders for the future," said Bailey. "Who's going to go down there and share Howard County values?"

He said maintaining the quality of education in Howard County as well as improving school infrastructure in Baltimore County is important to him.

"I want Howard County schools to continue to achieve at the high levels they're capable of, and I want to bring home money to renovate older school buildings in Baltimore County," added Bailey.

As part of his campaign, Bailey is learning about Columbia, the area where he is least known.

"It has been fun," said Bailey. "The history of Columbia is very unique. It's a history that should be cherished and memorialized... Even though I didn't grow up here in Howard County, I'm going to fight for Howard County just as hard as any native Howard Countian would."

In the Democratic primary, Bailey currently faces Columbia residents Dr. Terri HillDr. Clarence Lam as well as Rebecca Dongarra from Catonsville and Eric Ebersole of Baltimore, according to online registration data. 

The newly redistricted District 12 includes Arbutus, Catonsville, Halethorpe and Landsdown in Baltimore County as well as parts of Elkridge, Ellicott City and the Columbia villages of Harper's Choice, Hickory Ridge, Long Reach and Town Center.

Related Articles

Terri Hill Talks District 12 Candidacy

Clarence Lam to Run for District 12 Delegate Seat


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