Photo by Skip Lawrence Kathy Afzali

Kathy Afzali, a Republican who labels herself as "unapologetically conservative," is running for delegate in District 4A.

"It's important that whoever our elected officials are are working hard and diligently to serve the people of our community," Afzali said.

"... I'm a worker, I'm a worker bee. I don't know how to do anything but work. And if elected, I will work extremely hard for the people of this district."

Afzali began her career as a Broadway actress, later working as a real estate agent in Colorado while her husband attended graduate school, and then moved to Maryland.

She served as a columnist for The Frederick News-Post, stayed home with her children and finished college before returning to the real estate world.

Now she hopes to tackle Annapolis.

"We do not live in a state that is pro-business," she said. "We do not live in a state that is pro-retirement."

She said that she would work to be a conservative voice in the Democrat-dominated legislature, and lower taxes to attract businesses and "people of means."

District 4A is currently represented by Republican delegates Joseph Bartlett and Paul Stull.

Afzali took jabs at Bartlett, who is the son of U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.

"I don't believe that we live in a monarchy, and I don't believe that political crowns are handed from one generation to the other," she said. "I think that political crowns need to be earned."

She also questioned his record.

"I know that Joe Bartlett has been in our district for 10 years, he's been our delegate for 10 years," she said. "He's not written one piece of legislation in 10 years."

Bartlett himself estimates he's sponsored 50 bills, about a dozen which have been signed into law.

For instance, in the last session of the General Assembly Bartlett was the lead sponsor on four bills, the General Assembly website shows. He co-sponsored dozens of others.

A bill relating to solar energy tax incentives and sponsored by Bartlett passed and was signed into law.

"I'm really surprised she wants to run for office and doesn't know enough about it to know who introduced what bills," Bartlett said. "It's kind of 101 politics."

Lawmakers do rely on legislative experts to formally draft the legislation, but Bartlett said he has submitted language that he's written, so even the literal interpretation of "written" shouldn't count against him.

Asked if she was referring to successful legislation or some other measure, Afzali responded:

"I think that if you look at the record, it will be fairly obvious," she said.

At the end of the day, Afzali said she is running for something, not against others.

"There are two seats in 4A," she said. "You are allowed to vote for two candidates in your district. Vote for the candidate that you like, and vote for me."