Brenda Thiam

Brenda Thiam is the Republican nominee for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 2B, in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing incumbent Matthew Schindler (D).[1][2] A special education teacher, she represented District 2B in the House of Delegates from 2020 to 2023.[2] The Republican Party selected her as nominee after Sean Flaherty withdrew following his primary win.[2]

Brenda Thiam was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and graduated from Hoke County High School.[2] She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from North Carolina Central University in 1994, a master's degree in education from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2002, and a Ph.D. in special education leadership from Capella University in 2015.[2] Her career experience includes working as a special education teacher, a behavioral health technician for Achieving True Self, and a director of education at the Community School of Maryland.[2]

Thiam assumed office in the Maryland House of Delegates on September 23, 2020, and left office on January 11, 2023.[2] She was assigned to the Judiciary Committee, and in a Ballotpedia survey she said she served as minority whip and sponsored HB221, which became law in 2022 and provides disabled veterans with free angler's licenses.[2][3] She lost her 2022 re-election bid to Brooke Grossman, receiving 45.7% of the vote to Grossman's 54.2%.[2] In 2026 she sought the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, finishing third with 6.4% in the primary.[2]

In the survey, Thiam said she serves on the boards of Brook Lane Health Services and Meritus Health.[3] She lists public safety, improved educational outcomes including support for the B.O.O.S.T. scholarship program, and government accountability and responsible taxation as her main campaign messages.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.