My name is Dino Flores, and I hope to be one of your two State Delegates for District 4A. For the first time in 12 years, our community will send a new State Delegate to Annapolis. I am honored to have the support of many Political Leaders, Businesses, Sportsmen, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue members and Neighbors in Frederick County.

An experienced and respected leader, I believe District 4A needs delegates who can stand up for our values and effectively advocate for our concerns. I believe in civility and work well with others. I have excellent communication skills and a reputation for honesty, integrity and professionalism. As an attorney with over 20 years experience, I am a skilled advocate who can communicate ideas and persuade listeners to agree with them. As a Republican, I am well aware that I will be joining a legislature dominated by liberal Democrats. I can make our voices heard and considered in a respectful and professional manner, which will lead to our ideas being adopted at the Statehouse. As a leader in both my professional and political life, I know how to work well with others without compromising my ideals. These attributes are crucial for an effective State Delegate who will represent District 4A.

I fully understand the role of the State Legislature in creating new laws. To be an effective delegate, one must be able to anticipate how a proposed law could be implemented in the real world, and how it could be challenged in court. I have spent my career in courtrooms handling all types of cases, and because of this, am very familiar with how laws can be challenged, and how Maryland’s appellate courts view them. Since the Legislature makes laws, a lawyer with my experience can be very helpful to Frederick County’s Delegation to Annapolis.

With a projected budget deficit of $1.8 billion, the Maryland General Assembly will have great difficulty balancing the State budget. As a small business owner, my knowledge and experience with managing money and balancing budgets will be assets in my role as your State Delegate.

I invite you to visit my website at www.votedinoflores.com. My top priorities are to STOP illegal immigration, PROTECT our Second Amendment Gun Rights and to LOWER taxes/CUT spending/ CREATE jobs. I am the only 4A State Delegate candidate to sign the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge. I have made the commitment to "oppose any and all efforts to increase taxes." Please visit my website where more details are provided regarding my goals for our community. I respect that this position is an elected one, to be YOUR voice to advocate for YOUR concerns.

PERSONAL & BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

A longtime resident of Frederick County in District 4A, I graduated from Duke University and the Georgetown University Law Center. I worked as a Prosecutor in Frederick County for several years as the Chief of the Homicide/Violent Crime Unit. During that time, I prosecuted some of the worst criminals in the history of Frederick County, including the Brunswick Bridge Murder killers. Presently, I am a Partner in the Law Firm of Schaffer, Black & Flores, P.C., where our firm handles litigation in both criminal and civil cases as counsel for the plaintiff and defense.

I am married to Michelle Flores, a prosecutor in Washington County. We live in Walkersville with our four children: Marisa (8), Miranda (7), Diego (4) and Duke (21 mos.) along with our two dogs: Zena, a Bullmastiff and Chewy, a Cocker Spaniel. Our daughters attend Glade Elementary, as will their brothers when they are old enough. Michelle and I are both Christians and active in our church, Fredericktowne Baptist Church in Walkersville. I am a member of the Glade Elementary PTA and have been a soccer coach at the Frederick YMCA.

As a lawyer, I am a member of the State and Frederick Bar Associations and have served in leadership capacity as Secretary. I am a member of the Court of Appeals Character Committee and investigate potential bar applicants to ensure they possess the desired character to practice law in Maryland. I am honored to have previously been found "MOST QUALIFIED" to serve as a Frederick County District Court Judge by the Judicial Nominating Commission, appointed by Gov. Ehrlich, and my colleagues in Frederick. This honor is especially meaningful because it signifies distinguished intellect, temperament and demeanor in handling legal issues and interacting with people. I am also a Lecturer and Speaker with the Frederick Police Department and Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office Training Academies, regional law enforcement officers on "State and Federal Firearms Laws", sponsored by the F.B.I., and at local schools and colleges regarding criminal justice issues.

In addition to serving as a strong and effective leader in the legal field, I have been equally effective as a leader in the Republican party and our community. I was appointed in 2004 then elected in 2006 to the Frederick County Republican Central Committee and have served as your Chairman and Secretary. I have served as the Secretary of the Republican Club of Frederick County where I remain a member, along with my former membership as Maryland Republican Party Executive Member. My additional memberships and affiliations include: Frederick Fraternal Order of Police: Associate member, Member of the Monocacy Pistol Club and NRA, Frederick County United Way: Board of Directors, Frederick County Human Relations Commission, Frederick County Local Management Board and the Office of Children and Families.

I appreciate the time you have taken to read more about me, my background and my goals for Frederick County. Please visit my website: www.votedinoflores.com, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am running for Maryland State Delegate in District 4A because I am a family man and local business owner who wants to represent YOU and YOUR family and be YOUR voice in Annapolis … because what YOU want DOES matter!!