DeGonia joins Dist. 19 House race

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo DeGonia

Thomas M. DeGonia, a 34-year-old Democrat from Olney, says seven years as assistant state’s attorney for Montgomery County gives him the experience needed in Annapolis.

‘‘Being a prosecutor, you see the best and worst from people,” he said. ‘‘It takes a commitment to doing the right thing for the community, not just what’s easy.”

If elected, DeGonia said he would advocate for more victim protections, toughen firearms legislation and work to broaden health care coverage.

He supports state funding of the Geographic Cost of Education Index. A neglected part of the Thornton school-funding initiative, the index would pay school districts based on the cost of living in their county and on needs related to addressing student achievement. In Montgomery County, that could mean as much as $17 million per year.

‘‘I think there’s a feeling in Annapolis that Montgomery County can afford it,” he said. That leads many to assume, ‘‘So we’ll just ignore funding it and let the county make up the difference,” he added.

DeGonia also supports Smart Growth development as one answer to traffic congestion.

Having grown up in Mineral Point, Mo., DeGonia earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Missouri at Rolla, graduating magna cum laude. He earned a law degree from American University Washington College of Law in 1997.

Before serving as an assistant state’s attorney, he was an attorney with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General for three years during the Clinton Administration. He has taught as an adjunct professor in the Washington College of Law’s legal writing program and is an adjunct professor in Montgomery College’s paralegal program.

Locally, the first-time candidate serves on the Criminal Justice Behavioral Initiative, as a Democratic precinct chair, as a District 19 Democratic Club member and has been vice president of the Olney Oaks Homeowner’s Association.

DeGonia is married with two children.Election 2006

State House of Delegates,District 19

Democrat

34, Olney

Experience: assistant state’s attorney for Montgomery County; attorney, U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General for three years during Clinton Administration; members, Criminal Justice Behavioral Initiative; Democratic precinct chair; member, District 19 Democratic Club; former vice president, Olney Oaks Homeowner’s Association.

Top Issues: Victims’ rights, education and health care

For more: www.tomdegonia.com