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One thing Maryland House of Delegates candidate Gerald Roper thinks sets him apart from the 10 other candidates — seven Democrats and three Republicans — in the District 14 race is an extensive resume illustrating his 34 years of service in federal, district and state governments.

The retired Colesville resident has been an administrative law judge for the District of Columbia, a senior hearing examiner for the District government and director of Minority Business for the Maryland Transit Authority of the state Department of Transportation.

"The way we set our campaign apart is my time I've spent in the district," Roper said. "I'm a longtime resident of it, and my job experience has set me apart from the candidates I've seen."

His top three priorities are education, the environment and jobs, especially in small businesses.

Roper's interest in education not only lies in maintaining the current "level of commitment to Montgomery County Public Schools," but also in closing the achievement gap in county high schools and protecting teachers from furloughs and pension cuts.

He also supports investing in small businesses to stimulate the economy and increase employment. He is also interested in bringing another full-service hospital to the area.

"Our district is in dire need of medical care centers," he said. "Certainly with the growth and development of this area, I'd like for us to look toward the county and state for resources to support another hospital."

District 14 is comprised of all or parts of Ashton, Brinklow, Brookeville, Burtonsville, Calverton, Cloverly, Colesville, Damascus, Fairland, Goshen, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Olney, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Spencerville and Sunshine.

Roper will run against incumbent Anne R. Kaiser and challengers Vanessa Ali, Neeta Datt, Jodi Finkelstein, Eric Luedtke, Robert Bo Newsome and Craig Zucker in the Democratic primary election Sept. 14. The top three vote-getters will square off against Republic candidates Maria Peña-Faustino, Patricia Fenati and Henry Kahwaty for the three District 14 House seats in the general election Nov. 2.

-Residence: Colesville

-Age: 65

-Party: Democrat

-Education: Bachelor's degree from North Carolina Central University; law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law

-Work experience: Retired. Former hearing examiner for the District of Columbia government; director of Minority Business for the Maryland Transit Authority, Maryland Department of Transportation; administrative law judge, District of Columbia

-Family: Married with three children

-Top issues: Education, the environment, jobs and small business

-Campaign funds: $15,200 raised

-Previous political experience: Former vice chair Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; former vice president and member of the Montgomery County branch of the NAACP; past chairman of the board of directors, Government Employees Association

-Other affiliations: Public Policy Political Action Committee, Education Foundation Committee, The People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Montgomery County Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

-Website: www.citizensforgeraldroper.com