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Del. Charles A. Jenkins(R-Dist. 3B) said he had a lot to learn when he went to Annapolis for his first term in January, but he plans to use that experience if re-elected to office this fall.

Jenkins, 47, was appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to finish Richard B. Weldon's term earlier this year. Weldon resigned with one year left in his term to become executive assistant to Mayor Randy McClement (R) of Frederick.

Prior to his appointment, Jenkins served as a Frederick County commissioner.

Jenkins filed in April and will face Michael Hough in the Republican primary Sept. 14. No Democratic challenger had filed as of The Gazette's press time.

Jenkins said transportation concerns will continue to dominate his agenda if he is elected to continue as the delegate from District 3B, which encompasses parts of southern Frederick and Washington counties.

He called the portion of Interstate 270 in Frederick County "one of the most neglected pieces of infrastructure" in the state, and said that he would continue to fight for improvements to it.

But in fighting for Frederick County's transportation needs, he said it is important to recognize the needs of other jurisdictions, whose delegations were just as responsible to their constituents to maintain transportation infrastructure. "You've got to be respectful," he said.

Jenkins said illegal immigration is a key concern, and he plans to propose similar legislation to that which was recently enacted in Arizona if he is sent back to the statehouse.

He said one of his favorite parts of the Constitution is Article Four, Section Four, which guarantees a republican form of government and protection from invasion. However, by not doing everything in its power to prevent illegal immigration and to prevent illegal immigrants from benefiting from social service, Jenkins said "we've failed."

As a commissioner in Frederick County, he saw the need for translators in government offices increase, and long lines at the Motor Vehicle Administration because Maryland is the "only state east of the Mississippi" that didn't require proof of citizenship for those applying for a driver's license. He said this lead to Maryland being considered a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants.

As a county commissioner, Jenkins proposed that English be adopted as the official language of Frederick County, and he said he would continue to campaign to strengthen immigration laws in Maryland.

He also said he was concerned that many regulations at the state level cripple business in the state. He said that new stormwater regulations were an example of this, and will make it difficult for cities to do infill development. He said other regulations can hurt local volunteer efforts. While visiting a banquet at the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company with Del. Paul S. Stull (R-Dist. 4A), we was upset to learn that Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations restrict them from baking pies to sell to raise money.

"We're killing the spirit of volunteerism," he said.

While he is at times frustrated with the Democratic majority in Annapolis, Jenkins said he was willing to work with others across the aisle to find solutions to statewide problems.

"I care more about results than I do rhetoric," Jenkins said.

E-mail Christian Brown at chbrown@gazette.net.

-Residence: Frederick

-Date of birth: Dec. 18, 1962

-Family: Married; two children

-Party: Republican

-Education: Bachelor's degree in Russian language from James Madison University (1990).

-Work experience: Realtor for Re/Max Results, former cryptologist with the U.S. Navy.

-Top three issues: Illegal immigration, rolling back business regulation, transportation issues.