This afternoon, Mark M. Spradley officially became a candidate for the office of Comptroller of Maryland. According to Mr. Spradley, “I am running for state Comptroller because I believe that Marylanders want a Comptroller who stands for traditional Republican principles – fiscal responsibility and personal freedom – and who will be an inclusive, unifying voice for the people of Maryland.”

As the Comptroller, Mark Spradley would be fiscally conservative. Because of his background in the financial services industry, he would be guided by solid principles of financial management and oversight, prudent investment strategies, and economic development. In addition, Mark Spradley is a consensus builder. He respects individuals – male and female, people of all races and backgrounds, people living in all parts of Maryland, and people from all political parties. He would be a voice of unity; drawing people together, not driving them apart.

The following are some of the issues that are important to Mark Spradley:

• ensuring fairness in tax assessment and collection - sound tax and fiscal policies will improve the business climate and make Maryland a better place for both employers and workers;
• exhibiting strong oversight of State contracts through the Board of Public Works, allowing State revenues to catch up with existing spending commitments by exercising fiscal discipline and containing spending;
• applying appropriate investment management policies to the State’s pension systems to safeguard the future for teachers, government employees, state police and judges;
• leveraging the state’s stellar AAA bond rating to help all counties achieve the highest possible ratings from the three principal rating agencies ( S & P, Moody’s and Fitch);
• ensuring that our investments in education, transportation and the environment continue to pay dividends to future generations;
• supporting primary, secondary and higher education and promoting financial literacy for people of all ages;
• helping working families trying to finance a college education by promoting the Maryland College Savings Plan;
• assisting people aspiring to become homeowners through mechanisms such as incentives for first time home buyers; and
• building consensus; engaging in the democratic processes of debate and civil discourse, which allows for respecting diverse opinions, while working together towards making Maryland better for everyone.

A lifelong Republican activist, Mark Spradley is seeking the party’s nomination for Comptroller of Maryland, and looking forward to the general election, during which he would bring his vision for Maryland to a wider audience. Mark Spradley says that he “is eager to begin campaigning throughout the State – getting to know people in all of Maryland’s counties, and understanding the diversity that is vital to the continued growth and prosperity of Maryland.”