Interview with Seth Funk; Campaigns on Affordability and Community-Driven Development for Maryland’s 1C District

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Seth Funk, a candidate for Maryland State Delegate in District 1C, is making affordability and the empowerment of local communities the central tenets of his campaign. A lifelong resident of Western Maryland, Funk, who currently resides in Williamsport, has outlined a platform aimed at revitalizing the region’s economy, ensuring accessible and affordable energy, strengthening healthcare and education, and preserving agricultural land. His campaign highlights a commitment to addressing issues that he believes have been overlooked by state leadership in Annapolis, emphasizing that Western Maryland deserves greater attention and funding.

Funk identifies economic affordability as the most pressing concern for the district, citing the escalating costs of daily necessities such as groceries, housing, and utilities. To combat these rising expenses, he proposes a strategy to diversify the local economy beyond what he describes as a reliance on transient “warehouse jobs” or those offered by large corporations like Amazon, which he argues do not foster long-term career opportunities. Instead, Funk advocates for the expansion of manufacturing sectors, drawing inspiration from existing successes such as the Hitachi railcar plant, and for increased support for skilled trades. He also sees significant potential for growth in the healthcare and education fields, suggesting these sectors can provide stable employment and essential services to the community. Furthermore, Funk has explicitly stated his support for unionized labor, proposing that state-funded projects should prioritize union participation to ensure workers receive fair wages and robust benefits.

“I’m running because… when I looked at the upcoming election, there was nobody challenging the incumbent for this seat,” said Funk. “You can think what you will about a politician… but when it comes to running for political office, I think that there should always be a choice.”

Addressing energy costs is another key component of Funk’s platform. He suggests the implementation of locally or county-owned solar projects to rapidly increase energy generation capacity, which he believes will help reduce utility bills for residents. His proposal includes the strategic placement of “solar canopies” over parking lots and walkways of public buildings, with the aim of generating revenue that would directly benefit local budgets, thereby supporting vital services like hospitals and educational institutions, rather than flowing to state coffers or large utility companies. Funk also supports the advancement of nuclear energy, specifically mentioning the potential for facilities like Calvert Cliffs and the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as replacements for retired coal plants, contingent upon community acceptance and interest. He argues against a return to coal or gas as primary energy sources for the future, noting that these fuels require importation, whereas solar energy is an indigenous resource.

“Fundamentally, the point of this is: when we use our land and our resources for the district, the benefit should go to us. Not some CEO, not necessarily the state—it should go to us,” stated Funk.

In the realms of healthcare and education, Funk is focused on tackling chronic understaffing issues prevalent in Western Maryland’s essential services. To address the shortage of medical professionals in rural hospitals, he proposes a “pledge to serve” program, similar to initiatives on the Eastern Shore, where the state would fund medical education in exchange for a commitment from graduates to work in Western Maryland hospitals for a decade. He also advocates for the establishment of a new emergency facility to help alleviate extended wait times at Meritus Medical Center. For the education sector, Funk supports increased funding for “para-professionals” to help alleviate the teacher shortage in public schools.

Protecting Western Maryland’s agricultural heritage from unchecked development is a significant priority for Funk. He is a proponent of “farm-to-school” programs that would channel additional funding to public schools for the direct purchase of produce from local farmers. Funk also champions “smart development” and opposes the conversion of farmland into sites for warehouses or data centers. He advocates for community-controlled housing development that prioritizes local input over the interests of large landlords or real estate developers.

“Agriculture is a really important part of our heritage and our economy… we need to protect farmlands so that we continue to have these jobs for the future,” said Funk.

Funk’s political philosophy is rooted in a grassroots approach, identifying as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and maintaining a strong focus on working-class affordability and solutions to crises such as homelessness and the drug epidemic. He has made a commitment to refuse all corporate and PAC funding, stating that his allegiance lies solely with “working families” rather than CEOs or developers from outside the region. Funk encourages voters to look beyond party affiliation and consider his policy proposals for improving the lives of middle-class and working individuals. His community involvement includes organizing efforts for agricultural protection, participating in food and clothing distribution through “Food Not Bombs,” and serving on committees focused on data center accountability.

“I don’t want people to vote for or against me because of a letter next to my name… I want them to look at what I’m laying out, look at the vision that I have, and believe that I am here solely for them to have a better life,” concluded Funk.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Seth Funk interview and Campaign website

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