Brenda Diaz

[Anonymous]

I have seen lots of online commentary on her being crazy and MAGA during the pandemic. I did not have kids in schools then so don't know all the background. But her responses on the various candidate questionnaires I have seen for this election all seem reasonable, relatively measured, and most importantly (to me) much more specific on actual changes that would increase the rigor and accountability of MCPS. She also cites evidence more than the other candidates. I disagree with her on Mahmoud vs. Taylor but even her responses on that topic don't seem particularly extreme.

I really don't like the idea of voting for a MAGA candidate but also feel like ultimately I should be voting based on the candidates' stated views, and hers seem pretty good and at least very clear whereas all the other candidates seem to respond entirely in vague platitudes, which makes me think they'll just roll with whatever the superintendent and MCEA want rather than providing actual oversight and differing views. What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen lots of online commentary on her being crazy and MAGA during the pandemic. I did not have kids in schools then so don't know all the background. But her responses on the various candidate questionnaires I have seen for this election all seem reasonable, relatively measured, and most importantly (to me) much more specific on actual changes that would increase the rigor and accountability of MCPS. She also cites evidence more than the other candidates. I disagree with her on Mahmoud vs. Taylor but even her responses on that topic don't seem particularly extreme.

I really don't like the idea of voting for a MAGA candidate but also feel like ultimately I should be voting based on the candidates' stated views, and hers seem pretty good and at least very clear whereas all the other candidates seem to respond entirely in vague platitudes, which makes me think they'll just roll with whatever the superintendent and MCEA want rather than providing actual oversight and differing views. What am I missing?

Nothing.
Apple Ballot union will now trash her, but you got the facts.
Apple Ballot union trash anyone that is not sworn to Apple Ballot.
Evidence of Apple Ballot control of MCPS is clear.

[Anonymous]

You are missing what she said and did during the pandemic and during her previous run for school board. She learned that she cannot win running on a Moms for Liberty platform so she stopped saying those things. But most people remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are missing what she said and did during the pandemic and during her previous run for school board. She learned that she cannot win running on a Moms for Liberty platform so she stopped saying those things. But most people remember.

Bingo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen lots of online commentary on her being crazy and MAGA during the pandemic. I did not have kids in schools then so don't know all the background. But her responses on the various candidate questionnaires I have seen for this election all seem reasonable, relatively measured, and most importantly (to me) much more specific on actual changes that would increase the rigor and accountability of MCPS. She also cites evidence more than the other candidates. I disagree with her on Mahmoud vs. Taylor but even her responses on that topic don't seem particularly extreme.

I really don't like the idea of voting for a MAGA candidate but also feel like ultimately I should be voting based on the candidates' stated views, and hers seem pretty good and at least very clear whereas all the other candidates seem to respond entirely in vague platitudes, which makes me think they'll just roll with whatever the superintendent and MCEA want rather than providing actual oversight and differing views. What am I missing?

I'll caveat that I am voting for her, but I think people's issues with her are two-fold:

1) She was fired from MCPS for refusing to wear a mask
2) She supported the opt out from the LGBT curriculum and talked about making schools more accepting of people who don't accept the sort of liberal consensus view on LGBT issues (and things like BLM) in ways that suggest, probably correctly, that she holds those views herself

To me, neither of these are dealbreakers compared to what seem like good policies on actual education. If anything, I think the fact that MCPS lost the Supreme Court case on the opt out vindicates her position there. Whatever you think of the decision, it was in no way a surprise. A more moderate approach there would have been preferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen lots of online commentary on her being crazy and MAGA during the pandemic. I did not have kids in schools then so don't know all the background. But her responses on the various candidate questionnaires I have seen for this election all seem reasonable, relatively measured, and most importantly (to me) much more specific on actual changes that would increase the rigor and accountability of MCPS. She also cites evidence more than the other candidates. I disagree with her on Mahmoud vs. Taylor but even her responses on that topic don't seem particularly extreme.

I really don't like the idea of voting for a MAGA candidate but also feel like ultimately I should be voting based on the candidates' stated views, and hers seem pretty good and at least very clear whereas all the other candidates seem to respond entirely in vague platitudes, which makes me think they'll just roll with whatever the superintendent and MCEA want rather than providing actual oversight and differing views. What am I missing?

You are not missing anything. These days it is easy to discredit a candidate by simply giving them MAGA label. Smart voters should form their opinion based on their research, as you are doing.

Political ads around here are a complete parody. Just say that the other candidate was in the same building with Trump once and that is considered a solid dirt worth being a video ad.

[Anonymous]

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/10/22/brenda-diaz-left-mcps/

[Anonymous]

I’m voting for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/10/22/brenda-diaz-left-mcps/

This article includes a lot of direct quotes from Diaz regarding her issues with wearing a mask for the safety of the children she worked with (unwilling) and her beliefs about religious liberty, freedom, and bodily autonomy being more important than collective action in service of public health during a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Below are Brenda Diaz's own words from her substack:

Currently, leftist ideologies are deeply embedded within our school system, limiting freedom of thought and expression. BLM and LGBTQ+ flags adorn classrooms and hallways. Critical race theory is at the center of Social Studies education, from elementary to high school. These ideas are presented as the only course of righteous action for the rising political activists our schools aim to create. We risk entrenching our children in unnecessary future turmoil when we frame the trends of our time as the only just causes. When “all the things” that are good can only come from the Left, what happens to anyone who believes differently? Where do those children and their families fit in our schools and our communities?

https://brilliantresilience.substack.com/p/protecting-our-childrens-innocence

I don't agree with the above and won't be voting for her. She sounds extremely partisan and is essentially defending the "right" to hate others without repurcussions.

Here is some reporting on her opposition to vaccine mandates. You can disagree with the mandates (I don't think they were a good idea) and also disagree with her equating them with Jim Crow, which I find deeply disrespectful.

Diaz said in the testimony that a resolution to create vaccine requirements to enter establishments such as bars and recreation centers would “impose the unlawful and immoral segregation” between vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.

“It is, indeed, the modern-day Jim Crow. As such, the harm that this measure will cause to our county if you choose as a body to act beyond your bounds is immeasurable,” Diaz’s testimony said. “You will divide families and communities by pitting the vaccinated and the unvaccinated against each other.”

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/10/22/brenda-diaz-left-mcps/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are missing what she said and did during the pandemic and during her previous run for school board. She learned that she cannot win running on a Moms for Liberty platform so she stopped saying those things. But most people remember.

Exactly this. She is not a good candidate.

[Anonymous]

The problem with Brenda is that you can't really trust that she's not just saying what she thinks she needs to say to get elected and will then do a hard-right pivot once she's on the board.

You're right that many of statements and criticisms of MCPS are reasonable and sound. The problem is whether she's genuine in actually wanting to solve problems or is it her goal to just stir up trouble and get a seat on the board to make it more conservative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Brenda is that you can't really trust that she's not just saying what she thinks she needs to say to get elected and will then do a hard-right pivot once she's on the board.

You're right that many of statements and criticisms of MCPS are reasonable and sound. The problem is whether she's genuine in actually wanting to solve problems or is it her goal to just stir up trouble and get a seat on the board to make it more conservative.

+1
She clearly has a partisan right-wing agenda. I may agree with some things she says but I think she will do more harm than good. Maybe I am being naive or too optimistic but I don't think she will be able to further her right wing agenda much as a BOE member, but I think she will be a harmful distraction and will serve as a straw man for TT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Brenda is that you can't really trust that she's not just saying what she thinks she needs to say to get elected and will then do a hard-right pivot once she's on the board.

You're right that many of statements and criticisms of MCPS are reasonable and sound. The problem is whether she's genuine in actually wanting to solve problems or is it her goal to just stir up trouble and get a seat on the board to make it more conservative.

+1
She clearly has a partisan right-wing agenda. I may agree with some things she says but I think she will do more harm than good. Maybe I am being naive or too optimistic but I don't think she will be able to further her right wing agenda much as a BOE member, but I think she will be a harmful distraction and will serve as a straw man for TT.

I agree with this assessment. She is too right wing to bring any of her ideas to fruition in Moco and will only further divide the board, leading to more inaction than already occurs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with Brenda is that you can't really trust that she's not just saying what she thinks she needs to say to get elected and will then do a hard-right pivot once she's on the board.

You're right that many of statements and criticisms of MCPS are reasonable and sound. The problem is whether she's genuine in actually wanting to solve problems or is it her goal to just stir up trouble and get a seat on the board to make it more conservative.

+1
She clearly has a partisan right-wing agenda. I may agree with some things she says but I think she will do more harm than good. Maybe I am being naive or too optimistic but I don't think she will be able to further her right wing agenda much as a BOE member, but I think she will be a harmful distraction and will serve as a straw man for TT.

I agree with this assessment. She is too right wing to bring any of her ideas to fruition in Moco and will only further divide the board, leading to more inaction than already occurs.

So you are saying that the board will be most effective if all board members think the same.