My Political Life
By Patricia Fenati Candidate for State Delegate in District 14
It was not typical for a woman to major in math in the 1960s, nor was it typical for a woman to serve president of the student body at a co-ed college. But there I was, the first female Student Government President at Jacksonville University graduating with a BS in Mathematics … And there I was again in New York City, working in the burgeoning computer industry, where I was usually one of only a handful of women in the room. But I loved what I was doing, which throughout my career included programming, consulting, sales, teaching and network simulation for large businesses, military and government agencies.
When we got married, my husband Sam and I decided to buy a small three-unit apartment building instead of a house. During our first year of marriage (while we were both working full time) we painted 19 rooms, renovated three kitchens and replaced a roof, while we battled faucet leaks and squirrels. We lived there until we had our first child, then moved to Damascus where we have been for over 40 years.
We still own a small rental property, but now we have commercial renters. Through this experience I have observed the effects that government pressure can have on small business.
After moving to Damascus, my career changed for more than ten exhilarating years while I was a stay-at-home mom with our three wonderful children. Then, after returning to the computer field, I earned an MS in Telecommunications Management at UMUC where I was asked to serve on the Alumni Association Board as a student representative.
Throughout my life, I have recognized that there are people who need assistance in different areas of their lives. In NYC, I served as a Big Sister in the Catholic Big Sisters of America organization and tutored in the Bronx with the Urban League.
Since retirement, I was elected to the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee where I served as Organization Chair and created a course in precinct organization. I am a member of the Upper Montgomery Republican Woman’s Club and an associate member of the other four Republican Women’s clubs in the county. I have worked in a soup kitchen, tutored English for adults, and tutored teens after school in Damascus. I have also been an active participant in the group known as Keep Damascus Rural.
I am running for State Delegate because I believe we must care for the needs of all the people in this county. I feel a special obligation to taxpayers who should expect their hard-earned dollars to be used wisely. Governor Hogan has avoided new taxes, while using state tax revenues for their allocated purposes instead of putting all money into the general fund. Although the General Assembly has passed state mandates for new spending, I believe that spending should be justified rather than mandated.
I support Governor Hogan’s redistricting plan along with his agenda for continued economic growth, state road repairs and his plans to relieve highway congestion. I also believe we need to reverse the lowered education standards in Montgomery County … We are no longer in first place in education even within this state. I believe we need new voices in Annapolis. I want to be a new voice for Montgomery County.
In 2014, I was the Republican who came closest to winning in this county. More than 11,000 Republicans in my district stayed home during that election. I lost by only 4,000 votes. Please work to get out the vote for me and the other Republican candidates in our county. What can you do? Contributions help get the word out; holding candidate meet-and-greets in your home or business, and invitations to speak give voters an opportunity to know the candidate better. Placing signs in your yard, door knocking and handing out literature increase name recognition. And … please encourage your friends and neighbors to vote Republican this November.