News Flash

Meet the 2021 Election Candidates

News Archive Posted on April 08, 2021

Sent on behalf of the Mount Rainier Board of Elections:

Hello Mount Rainier: 

Reminder: Monday, May 3, 2021 is Election Day! This year the polling place has been moved from City Hall to the Mount Rainier Nature Center: 4701 31st Place, Mt Rainier, MD 20712. Polls will open at 7:00 AM and will close at 8:00 PM.  

Due to COVID, the MRBOE is encouraging residents to Vote Absentee Ballot.  Absentee Ballots requests are due by April 26, 2021 by 5:00 PM.


Candidates for the upcoming election are as follows:  (See Below)

Candidate for Mayor

  

Celina Benitez

I have proudly served as a Councilmember since 2017. During this time, I have accomplished much with your support:

    Strongly advocating for the successful passage of the Blueprint for Maryland and supporting our schools;

    Founding the Mount Rainier Scholarship that has given over $15k to our students;

    Strengthening our Economic Development and City Services;

    Founding and funding the million dollar incentive fund;

    Leading the citywide Census effort and ongoing Pandemic Response by distributing over 500k pounds of food, 52k facemasks, and partnering with health clinics to bring resources; and,

    Writing resolutions that reflect the inclusive and welcoming values of Mount Rainier.

As Mayor, I commit to continue strengthening my efforts in bringing the city into the 21th century by:

    Implementing best practices including green initiatives in the city's operations;

    Leading the efforts in Re-imagining Public Safety;

    Ensuring there is a participatory budget process;

    Improving the accountability between the city and its residents;

    Continuing to create a welcoming and inclusive city;

    Investing in a long term Strategic vision; and

    Advocating for COVID-19 Vaccine accessibility.

We deserve a walkable, bikeable, green city and that is what I want to deliver to you. 

As your mayor, I will proudly continue to advocate and work for Mount Rainier. Together, we will overcome and thrive. 

To learn more about me and my campaign visit CelinaBenitez.com.

Together we are Stronger! 

Celina

 

Candidate for Ward I Councilmember

  

Luke Chesek

Over the past four years, we’ve accomplished a lot together:

    New trash/recycling containers

    New sidewalks

    Community policing

    Arts Commission (produced the mural on Pennyroyal Station)

    Tree box rain gardens

    Food forest/forest path

    Sold the property at Eastern and Rhode Island to a developer

    Funding for downtown streetscapes

    Native Plant Network

    Fund to aid current businesses and attract new ones

But this stuff doesn’t just happen. It takes elected officials who work to build consensus with their colleagues, and time management skills to take these projects from start to finish.

Over the next four years, I plan more of the same – using my time to build consensus and

deliver on projects reflecting our shared interests. These projects underpin a larger strategic

vision focused on investing in our Diversity, creating a Vibrant downtown core, and building a Sustainable city.

That’s believing in our community. Check out the details at lukeformountrainier.org.

Peace,

Luke

 

Candidate for Ward II Councilmember

 

Jarrett Stoltzfus

Jarrett Stoltzfus has been a homeowner in Mount Rainier since 2010 and has worked in the public interest for years, serving in senior federal and local government roles.   Jarrett has worked in clean transportation/energy for his career, currently working for a company that manufactures zero emission transit and school buses.

Jarrett has been active with organizations in the Route 1 corridor, serving on Mount Rainier’s Mixed Use Town Center (MUTC) committee focusing on economic development in the City’s core to the Board of Directors for Gateway Community Development Corporation.  He authored the Mount Rainier Bicycle Plan pro-bono and is an aficionado of Mount Rainier history.

Jarrett is focused on positive and equitable economic development in the City that engages all community members, as well as ensuring that all voices in the city are heard – something he’s keenly aware as an Asian American and the child of immigrants.

Jarrett has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Labor Relations and Master in Public Administration, both from Cornell University.

 

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If you have any questions regarding the upcoming election, please contact your Mount Rainier Board of Elections at Elections@mountrainiermd.org or check out the City's Website: https://www.mountrainiermd.org/government/city-elections

Candidates for the City of Mount Rainier's May 3 Election were certified on March 22, 2021 by the Mount Rainier Board of Election.