CAMPAIGN FAQ

Joan Barone Cole is a Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 31 in Anne Arundel County. She is a first-generation American, the first in her family to graduate from college, business professional, caregiver, community volunteer, wife, mother, and advocate for safer communities. Joan earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Operations Management and an MBA, and has built her career helping organizations solve problems, improve operations, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions.Joan brings experience from the private sector, nonprofit service, and community advocacy. She has worked in management, customer service, technical support, market research, and business operations, giving her firsthand experience with budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.Outside of her professional career, Joan has spent years serving her community through volunteer work at her children's schools and activities, civic engagement, and advocacy organizations, including Moms Demand Action. She has also spent significant time caring for aging family members, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges facing caregivers, seniors, and working families.Her campaign is focused on making Maryland more affordable, strengthening public education, improving public safety, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and ensuring state government works more effectively for everyone.

I am running for Delegate because Maryland families deserve practical leadership that listens, solves problems, and puts people ahead of politics.Throughout my life, I have seen how government decisions affect everyday families. As a first-generation American, I learned the value of hard work and opportunity. As a business professional, I learned how to manage resources responsibly and solve complex problems. As a stay-at-home mother, I learned that leadership often means planning ahead, managing competing priorities, and advocating for the people who depend on you. As a caregiver for aging family members, I experienced firsthand the challenges facing seniors, families, and our healthcare system.These experiences convinced me that our communities need leaders who understand real life—not just politics.I am running to improve affordability, strengthen public education, support public safety, protect our environment, and ensure the state government is accountable to the people it serves.

My qualifications come from a lifetime of professional leadership, community service, and real-world experience.I hold both a bachelor's degree in Management Science and Operations Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). My career has included management, business operations, customer service, technical support, and market research, where I developed skills in budgeting, strategic planning, process improvement, communication, and organizational leadership.Beyond my professional career, I have gained valuable experience through roles that many elected officials never discuss but that millions of Marylanders understand.As a stay-at-home mother, I managed a household, coordinated family schedules, balanced finances, solved problems every day, and helped raise the next generation.As a caregiver, I help care for aging family members, including my elderly mother, navigating healthcare systems, long-term care decisions, and the emotional and financial realities that many families experience.As a community volunteer, I have worked with organizations dedicated to reducing gun violence, strengthening neighborhoods, and encouraging civic engagement. My work with Moms Demand Action has connected me with survivors, law enforcement, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders working together to improve public safety.These combined experiences give me practical knowledge of the issues affecting Maryland families and prepare me to serve effectively in the General Assembly.

I live in Millersville in Maryland's District 31 with my husband.We planted roots in Anne Arundel County in 2019, when we joined our children, became active in our community, and continue to serve our neighbors.Living in District 31 has given me firsthand experience with the issues residents discuss every day, including affordability, transportation, education, public safety, environmental protection, and responsible growth.

I am a first-generation American and the first in my family to graduate from college.My family has deep Italian roots, and I was raised with the values that many immigrant families share: work hard, respect others, value education, take care of your family, and give back to your community.Those values shaped every stage of my life.I have been married for more than three decades, and my husband and I raised two children together. Like many families, we have balanced careers, parenting, caregiving responsibilities, and the financial challenges that come with each stage of life.These experiences help me understand the concerns of working families, parents, caregivers, seniors, and young adults trying to build their own futures.

Public service is about improving people's lives.I believe the government should help solve problems, protect communities, and create opportunities—not create unnecessary obstacles.My commitment to public service has grown through years of volunteering, community involvement, advocacy, and helping neighbors navigate difficult situations.Through my work with Moms Demand Action, I have met families whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence. I have worked alongside community members, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, and fellow advocates who share a common goal of making our communities safer while respecting responsible gun ownership.Serving others has reinforced my belief that lasting solutions require listening, collaboration, and a willingness to bring people together.That is the kind of leadership I want to bring to the Maryland House of Delegates.

Several core values guide every decision I make.Integrity. I believe elected officials should be honest, transparent, and accountable.Service. Public office exists to serve the people—not political parties or special interests.Respect. I believe people can disagree respectfully while working together to solve problems.Opportunity. Every Marylander deserves access to quality education, good jobs, affordable healthcare, and the opportunity to succeed.Responsibility. Government should spend taxpayer dollars wisely, plan for the future, and make decisions based on evidence and long-term results.Community. Strong communities are built when neighbors support one another, volunteer, participate in civic life, and work together despite differences.These values have guided me throughout my career, my family life, my volunteer work, and my campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates, and they will continue to guide my service if elected.