Michael Bennett
Candidate for the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2026. Always verify official ballot status with the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Democratic nominee for Calvert County Commissioner, District 3. Dunkirk resident of over a decade, decorated combat veteran with nearly three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard (Bronze Star Medal recipient in Iraq/Afghanistan, Senior Defense Official in Haiti), former intelligence community leader and corporate technology global security executive, and local small business owner. Serves on the Board of Governors at the Calvert Marine Museum and Stallings-Williams American Legion Post 206. Running to restore trusted leadership, transparent and ethical governance, sensible infrastructure growth, and cost-of-living tax relief for Calvert families and seniors.
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Verified Policy Stances & Platform
Public record positions, statements, and campaign positions.
Data Center Impact Transparency, Aquifer Protection & Ratepayer Guardrails
Demands complete public transparency, independent impact studies, and strict moratorium protections to guarantee new data center proposals do not deplete local drinking water aquifers, strain county power grids, or spike electric rates for families.
"Demand transparency and impact studies so new data centers don’t overwhelm our utilities or raise costs for families. Major land-use decisions that affect our aquifer, energy grid, and rural quality of life cannot happen behind closed doors without full citizen oversight."
Local Tax Relief for Working Families and Seniors & Responsible Budgeting
Prioritizes responsible budgeting, targeted county tax credits, rate adjustments, and homeowner relief programs to reduce the cost-of-living burden on residents—especially seniors on fixed incomes—while maintaining essential public services.
"Prioritize responsible budgeting and targeted county tax credits, rate adjustments, and homeowner relief programs to reduce the burden on residents — especially those on fixed incomes — while maintaining essential services."
Tax Credits, Skilled Trades, and Support for Federal Workers in Transition
Proposes small business tax credits and grants, investments in apprenticeships and vocational trades, zoning predictability, and dedicated career transition assistance for federal workers affected by agency downsizing.
"Tax credits and grants for small businesses in Calvert County. Invest in apprenticeships, skilled trades, and job training. Support federal workers in transition due to downsizing. Zoning predictability & Infrastructure alignment."
STEM, Skilled Trades, School Mental Health Counselors & Afterschool Programs
Champions expanded STEM, vocational skilled trades, and college-prep curriculums in Calvert County Public Schools, guaranteeing mental health counselors in every school and expanding afterschool youth opportunities.
"Expand STEM, skilled trades, and college-prep programs in local schools. Ensure mental health counselors in every school. Create stronger afterschool and youth opportunity programs."
Restoring Public Trust: Merit-Based Contracts, Hiring, and Independent Ethics
Promotes open government procedures, robust ethics standards, and independent oversight mechanisms to ensure all county contracts, appointments, and hiring are based strictly on merit and public value rather than insider access.
"Promote open processes, clear ethics standards, and oversight mechanisms. Ensure contracts, hiring, and appointments are based on merit and public value. Strengthen transparency so residents can have confidence that decisions are made in the county's best interest - not personal relationships or insider access."
Fully Staffed Community-Based Policing, Youth Mentorship & Fighting Fentanyl
Supports fully staffed, community-oriented policing with public accountability, youth violence prevention initiatives, and aggressive regional partnerships to combat the opioid and fentanyl epidemics.
"Fully staffed, community-based policing with accountability. Violence prevention and youth mentorship programs. Stronger partnerships to fight opioid and fentanyl crises."
Roads & Bridges, Transit Options, Broadband Expansion & Affordable Housing
Pushes for repairing county roads and bridges, improving transit solutions, expanding broadband connectivity to underserved rural pockets, and incentivizing affordable workforce housing near transit corridors.
"Repair local roads and bridges; push for improved transit options. Expand broadband in underserved communities. Incentivize affordable housing near transit zones."
Clean Baseload Generation, Grid Reliability & Protecting Electric Rates
Supports maintaining Calvert Cliffs as Maryland's premier clean baseload generator, advocating for comprehensive regional energy planning that preserves grid reliability and keeps electricity rates affordable for working families.
"Clean nuclear energy from Calvert Cliffs is essential if Maryland is to meet its carbon goals without destabilizing the electric grid. Our focus must be on grid reliability and keeping utility bills affordable for everyday families."
Official Campaign Priorities
- Jobs & Small Business: County tax credits, small business grants, apprenticeships, and career transition support for federal workers
- Tax Relief & Budgeting: Responsible budgeting, targeted county tax credits, rate adjustments, and homeowner relief for seniors and working families
- Responsible Growth & Utilities: Demanding impact studies and transparency so data centers do not overwhelm power utilities, aquifers, or family electric bills
- Education & Youth: Expanding STEM, skilled trades, ensuring mental health counselors in every school, and robust afterschool programs
- Infrastructure & Housing: Repairing local roads and bridges, improving transit options, expanding broadband, and incentivizing affordable housing
- Ethics & Transparency: Enforcing merit-based hiring/contracting, open processes, clear ethics standards, and eliminating insider favoritism
Other Candidates in This Race:
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HomeIssuesAbout MichaelMichael Bennett Michael Bennett Michael Bennett Michael Bennett For Board of County Commissioners District 3 Calvert CountyFor Board of County Commissioners District 3 Calvert CountyFor Board of County Commissioners District 3 Calvert CountyFor Board of Cou
Democratic nominee Michael Bennett published his official policy platform addressing tax relief, small business support, data center guardrails, public education, community safety, and county government transparency.