Matthew Schindler | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Schindler in 2023 | |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from the2B district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Wes Moore |
| Preceded by | Brooke Grossman |
| Member of theHagerstown City Council | |
| In office March 21, 2023 – November 25, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Tekesha Martinez |
| Succeeded by | Erika Bell Caroline Anderson Sean Flaherty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1983-11-22)November 22, 1983 (age 41) Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Desiree (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Hagerstown Community College University of Maryland Global Campus (BS) |
| Occupation | IT manager |
Matthew J. Schindler (born November 22, 1983) is an American politician who is a member to theMaryland House of Delegates fromDistrict 2B. A member of theDemocratic Party, he was previously a member of theHagerstown City Council from 2023 to 2024.
Schindler was born on November 22, 1983, inHagerstown, Maryland.[1] He was raised in Hagerstown, graduating fromNorth Hagerstown High School in 2001, afterwards attendingHagerstown Community College in 2003 before earning aBachelor of Science degree in computer networks and cybersecurity from theUniversity of Maryland, University College in 2021.[2][3]
Schindler is an IT manager for the National Capital Bank of Washington.[4]
Schindler ran for the Hagerstown city council in 2020,[5] but was defeated in the nonpartisan primary election, placing second-to-last with 5.5 percent of the vote.[6] In March 2023, after Hagerstown city councilorTekesha Martinez was appointed to be the mayor of Hagerstown following Emily Keller's resignation to serve in the cabinet of GovernorWes Moore, Schindler applied to serve the remainder of Martinez's term on the city council. The city council selected Schindler to succeed her,[7] and was sworn in on March 21, 2023.[8] Schindler ran for a full four-year term in 2024, but was defeated in the general election, placing seventh with 8.81 percent of the vote.[4] He left office on November 25, 2024.[9]
In December 2024, following the resignation of state delegateBrooke Grossman, Schindler applied to serve the remainder of Grossman's term in the Maryland House of Delegates. The Washington County Democratic Central Committee unanimously voted to nominate Schindler to the seat later that month.[2] He was sworn in on January 7, 2025.[10]
During his 2020 Hagerstown city council campaign, Schindler expressed concerns with the cost of a new stadium for theHagerstown Suns, saying that he'd prefer city funds be spent renovating the current ballpark. He also said he would make staffing and retention initiatives for the city's police and fire department the "highest priority in the city budget", and would prioritize the city's economic development and revitalization efforts by appealing to entrepreneurs and new employers.[11] In October 2023, Schindler participated in aUnited Auto Workers strike at Hagerstown'sMack Trucks plant.[12]
In July 2024, following a fatal shooting in downtown Hagerstown, Schindler suggested establishing a violent crimes task force.[13] He also expressed frustration with a letter written by state senatorPaul D. Corderman accusing city officials of "remaining silent, with no plan" to address violent crime and describing the city as "in crisis and under siege", saying that he appreciated the state delegation's willingness to "come to the table with us", but felt the letter was "very politically motivated and kind of accusatory when we're all working for the same thing".[14]
Schindler is divorced and has a son he adopted[7] with his former[citation needed] wife, Desiree,[15] in 2012.[7]
Schindler coaches youth sports[7] and is a fan of theBaltimore Orioles.[16] He attended high school with professional wrestlerLA Knight and helped arrange an event during which Knight was presented the key to the city of Hagerstown.[17]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristin B. Aleshire | 3,762 | 13.2 | |
| Shelley McIntire | 3,052 | 10.7 | |
| Bob Bruchey | 2,517 | 8.8 | |
| Tiara Burnett | 2,513 | 8.8 | |
| Penny May Nigh | 2,451 | 8.6 | |
| Brenda Thiam | 2,420 | 8.5 | |
| Peter E. Perini, Sr | 2,021 | 7.1 | |
| Austin Heffernan | 1,990 | 7.0 | |
| Tekesha Martinez | 1,972 | 6.9 | |
| Brooke Grossman | 1,907 | 6.7 | |
| Chip Snyder | 1,825 | 6.4 | |
| Matthew J. Schindler | 1,586 | 5.5 | |
| Travis Aaron Sites | 585 | 2.0 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristin Aleshire (incumbent) | 2,617 | 16.12 | |
| Tiara Burnett (incumbent) | 2,062 | 12.70 | |
| Matthew Schindler (incumbent) | 1,660 | 10.22 | |
| Peter Perini (incumbent) | 1,579 | 9.73 | |
| Sean Flaherty | 1,453 | 8.95 | |
| Erika Bell | 1,369 | 8.43 | |
| Stacy Michael | 1,347 | 8.30 | |
| Caroline Anderson | 1,252 | 7.71 | |
| Mark Bell | 1,101 | 6.78 | |
| Rich Owens | 1,074 | 6.61 | |
| Journie Martinez | 722 | 4.45 | |
| Total votes | 16,236 | 100.0 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiara Burnett (incumbent) | 6,371 | 13.37 | |
| Kristin Aleshire (incumbent) | 6,363 | 13.35 | |
| Erika Bell | 5,412 | 11.36 | |
| Caroline Anderson | 4,557 | 9.56 | |
| Sean Flaherty | 4,394 | 9.22 | |
| Mark Bell | 4,373 | 9.18 | |
| Matthew Schindler (incumbent) | 4,199 | 8.81 | |
| Peter Perini (incumbent) | 4,046 | 8.49 | |
| Stacy Michael | 3,999 | 8.39 | |
| Rich Owens | 3,719 | 7.80 | |
| Write-in | 233 | 0.47 | |
| Total votes | 47,656 | 100.0 | |