Brenda Thiam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brenda Thiam
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 2B district
In office October 6, 2020 – January 11, 2023
Appointed by	Larry Hogan
Preceded by	Paul D. Corderman
Succeeded by	Brooke Grossman
Personal details
Born	(1969-09-09) September 9, 1969 (age 55) Raeford, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (before 2012) Republican (since 2012)
Spouse	Mam Thiam
Children	1
Education	North Carolina Central University (BS) University of Maryland, College Park (MEd) Capella University (PhD) Pennsylvania State University (GradCert)
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Brenda Jeanette Thiam (born September 9, 1969) is an American politician. She was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2020 to 2023. This is like being a representative for a part of Maryland. She is a member of the Republican Party. Brenda Thiam was the first African-American Republican woman to serve in the Maryland General Assembly, which is Maryland's state lawmaking group. In 2024, she tried to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives but did not win.

Early Life and Education

Brenda Jeanette Thiam was born in Raeford, North Carolina, on September 9, 1969. She grew up there with her mother and three siblings.

She finished high school in 1987. Later, she went to North Carolina Central University and earned a degree in physical education in 1994. She continued her studies, getting a master's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002. She also earned a PhD in special education leadership in 2015 and a special certificate in behavior management in 2017.

Political Career Highlights

Starting in Public Service

After college, Brenda Thiam worked as a special education teacher. She helped students with learning differences. She also worked for groups that help people, called nonprofits. While teaching, she helped get a grant of $100,000 to train teachers who work with students with intellectual disabilities.

Brenda Thiam got involved in politics when she was in school, as part of student government. She was first a member of the Democratic Party until 2012. Then, she decided to join the Republican Party. From 2016 to 2018, she was a leader in a local Republican group. In 2020, she ran for the Hagerstown City Council. She later left that race when she was chosen for a bigger role.

Serving in the Maryland House of Delegates

In September 2020, Brenda Thiam was chosen to fill an open spot in the Maryland House of Delegates. This is a group of lawmakers in Maryland. Governor Larry Hogan officially appointed her to the position.

She started her work in the House of Delegates on October 6, 2020. She worked on laws related to justice and was part of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. It was a big moment because she was the first African-American Republican woman to serve in the Maryland General Assembly. In 2022, she was given a leadership role as deputy minority whip.

Brenda Thiam ran for re-election in 2022 but was not successful. She lost to Brooke Grossman. After the election, she suggested that the Republican Party should use mail-in voting more to win future elections.

Running for Congress

In 2023, Brenda Thiam announced she would run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is a national lawmaking group in Washington, D.C. She ran to represent Maryland's 6th congressional district. In the election in May 2024, she did not win the Republican primary election.

What Brenda Thiam Believes In

Thiam with Governor Larry Hogan, 2022

Brenda Thiam has shared her ideas on many topics. In 2021, she suggested a bill that would require high school students to pass a civics test to graduate. She also proposed a law to help families with costs for online schooling, like child care or internet. These bills did not become law.

She voted for a law that changed how police officers are held accountable. She voted against a bill that would ban plastic bags in stores. She also supported requiring benefits to go only to taxpayers who are legally in the United States.

In 2021, she was one of a few lawmakers who asked about the idea of some parts of Maryland joining West Virginia. However, these letters were later taken back.

In 2022, she said she supported requiring people to show ID to vote. She also supported automatically registering voters and regularly checking voter lists.

In 2023, she supported a bill to let cities stop people from driving dirt bikes on public roads. In September 2023, she said she supported building a wall at the border. She also disagreed with rules about wearing masks and getting vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also disagreed with a judge's decision about parents being able to opt their children out of classroom lessons on LGBTQ+ topics.

In October 2023, during a conflict, Brenda Thiam showed her support for Israel. She also supported efforts to help people in Palestine.

Personal Life

Brenda Thiam is married to Mam Malick Thiam. He came to the United States from Guinea in 2000. They have one daughter. The family moved to Hagerstown in 2006.

In 2022, Brenda Thiam and her daughter were in a car accident. They had minor injuries and were released from the hospital the same day.

Election Results