Matthew Schindler
{{Short description|American politician (born 1983)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Matthew Schindler
| image = Matthew Schindler - 52940312623 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Schindler in 2023
| state_delegate = Maryland
| district = 2B
| term_start = January 7, 2025
| term_end =
| appointed = Wes Moore
| predecessor = Brooke Grossman
| successor =
| office1 = Member of the Hagerstown City Council
| term_start1 = March 21, 2023
| term_end1 = November 25, 2024
| predecessor1 = Tekesha Martinez
| successor1 = Erika Bell
Caroline Anderson
Sean Flaherty
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|11|22}}
| birth_place = Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.
| party = Democratic
| spouse = {{marriage|Desiree|end=div}}
| 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 the Maryland House of Delegates from District 2B. A member of the Democratic Party, he was previously a member of the Hagerstown City Council from 2023 to 2024.
Early life and education
Schindler was born on November 22, 1983, in Hagerstown, Maryland.{{cite web |title=Matthew J. Schindler, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa18608.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=January 29, 2025 |date=January 16, 2025}} He was raised in Hagerstown, graduating from North Hagerstown High School in 2001, afterwards attending Hagerstown Community College in 2003 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer networks and cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, University College in 2021.{{cite web |title=Meet the City Council |url=https://www.hagerstownmd.org/134/Meet-the-City-Council |website=Hagerstown, MD - Official Website |access-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916140306/https://www.hagerstownmd.org/134/Meet-the-City-Council |archive-date=September 16, 2024}}
Career
Schindler is an IT manager for the National Capital Bank of Washington.
Schindler ran for the Hagerstown city council in 2020,{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Alexis |title=Last-minute candidate filings round out 2020 election ballots |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2020/01/25/last-minute-candidate-filings-round-out-2020-election-ballots/115865186/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=January 25, 2020}} but was defeated in the nonpartisan primary election, placing second-to-last with 5.5 percent of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Mike |title=Ballots counted, but emergency delays certification |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2020/06/12/ballots-counted-but-emergency-delays-certification/43669855/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=June 12, 2020}} In March 2023, after Hagerstown city councilor Tekesha Martinez was appointed to be the mayor of Hagerstown following Emily Keller's resignation to serve in the cabinet of Governor Wes Moore, Schindler applied to serve the remainder of Martinez's term on the city council. The city council selected Schindler to succeed her,{{cite news |last1=McMillion |first1=Dave |title=Matthew J. Schindler picked for open Hagerstown council seat; formal vote set for Tuesday |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2023/03/15/hagerstown-md-city-council-selects-matthew-schindler-for-vacant-seat/70013760007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 15, 2023}} and was sworn in on March 21, 2023.{{cite news |last1=Dugan |first1=Ric |title=Photos: Schindler sworn in as new Hagerstown City councilman |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/picture-gallery/news/2023/03/22/gallery-shots-councilman-matthew-schindlers-swearing/11520563002/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 22, 2023}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Two incumbents, three newcomers lead in Hagerstown City Council race |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/hagerstown-city-council-2024-race-results-incumbents-take-lead/75811550007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=November 5, 2024}} He left office on November 25, 2024.{{cite news |title=Hagerstown officials take oath of office |url=https://localnews1.org/2024/12/05/local-officials-take-oath-of-office/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=LocalNews1.org |date=December 5, 2024}}
Maryland House of Delegates
In December 2024, following the resignation of state delegate Brooke 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.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Former Hagerstown Councilman Matthew Schindler nominated to fill vacant District 2B seat |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2024/12/20/former-hagerstown-councilman-matthew-schindler-nominee-for-maryland-district-2b/76961528007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=December 20, 2024}} He was sworn in on January 7, 2025.{{cite web |title=Members - Delegate Matthew J. Schindler |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/schindler01 |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=January 7, 2025}}
Political positions
During his 2020 Hagerstown city council campaign, Schindler expressed concerns with the cost of a new stadium for the Hagerstown 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.{{cite news |last1=McMillion |first1=Dave |title=Hagerstown City Council candidates Q&A |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2020/03/29/hagerstown-city-council-candidates-qa/115823850/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 29, 2020}} In October 2023, Schindler participated in a United Auto Workers strike at Hagerstown's Mack Trucks plant.{{cite news |title=Political Notebook: Moore endorses Alsobrooks for Senate; Martinez visits striking UAW |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/10/30/wes-moore-backs-angela-alsobrooks-in-u-s-senate-race/71326683007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=October 30, 2023}}
In July 2024, following a fatal shooting in downtown Hagerstown, Schindler suggested establishing a violent crimes task force.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Hagerstown officials talk about steps to address violent crime, drug epidemic |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2024/07/26/hagerstown-officials-talk-about-next-steps-after-public-shooting/74545965007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 26, 2024}} He also expressed frustration with a letter written by state senator Paul 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".{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Hagerstown a city 'in crisis and under siege': Corderman's letter sparks debate, outcry |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2024/07/26/corderman-letter-on-hagerstown-being-under-siege-sparks-crime-debate/74550227007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 26, 2024}}
Personal life
Schindler is divorced and has a son he adopted with his former{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} wife, Desiree,{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Mike |title=Holiday focus turns to small business on Saturday |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2019/11/29/holiday-focus-turns-to-small-business-on-saturday/46123861/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=November 29, 2019}} in 2012.
Schindler coaches youth sports and is a fan of the Baltimore Orioles.{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |title=The Orioles gave their fans a brief respite from losing, but the pain from a rock bottom season cuts deeper |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2021/08/27/the-orioles-gave-their-fans-a-brief-respite-from-losing-but-the-pain-from-a-rock-bottom-season-cuts-deeper/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 27, 2021}} He attended high school with professional wrestler LA Knight and helped arrange an event during which Knight was presented the key to the city of Hagerstown.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Hagerstown native, WWE superstar LA Knight, receives key to city |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2023/12/23/yeah-hagerstown-welcomes-native-son-shaun-ricker-wwe-professional-wrestler-la-knight/72022063007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=December 23, 2023}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no party no change
| title = Hagerstown city council primary election, 2020{{cite web
| title = Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County
| work = Maryland State Board of Elections
| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/primary/gen_results_2020_3_by_county_22-1.html}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Kristin B. Aleshire
|votes = 3,762
|percentage = 13.2
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Shelley McIntire
|votes = 3,052
|percentage = 10.7
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Bob Bruchey
|votes = 2,517
|percentage = 8.8
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Tiara Burnett
|votes = 2,513
|percentage = 8.8
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Penny May Nigh
|votes = 2,451
|percentage = 8.6
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Brenda Thiam
|votes = 2,420
|percentage = 8.5
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Peter E. Perini, Sr
|votes = 2,021
|percentage = 7.1
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Austin Heffernan
|votes = 1,990
|percentage = 7.0
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Tekesha Martinez
|votes = 1,972
|percentage = 6.9
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Brooke Grossman
|votes = 1,907
|percentage = 6.7
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Chip Snyder
|votes = 1,825
|percentage = 6.4
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Matthew J. Schindler
|votes = 1,586
|percentage = 5.5
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Travis Aaron Sites
|votes = 585
|percentage = 2.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change
| title = Hagerstown city council primary election, 2024{{cite web |title=Official 2024 Presidential Primary Election Results for Washington County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/primary_results/gen_results_2024_by_county_22.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 13, 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kristin Aleshire (incumbent)
| votes = 2,617
| percentage = 16.12
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Tiara Burnett (incumbent)
| votes = 2,062
| percentage = 12.70
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Matthew Schindler (incumbent)
| votes = 1,660
| percentage = 10.22
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Peter Perini (incumbent)
| votes = 1,579
| percentage = 9.73
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Sean Flaherty
| votes = 1,453
| percentage = 8.95
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Erika Bell
| votes = 1,369
| percentage = 8.43
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Stacy Michael
| votes = 1,347
| percentage = 8.30
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Caroline Anderson
| votes = 1,252
| percentage = 7.71
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Mark Bell
| votes = 1,101
| percentage = 6.78
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Rich Owens
| votes = 1,074
| percentage = 6.61
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Journie Martinez
| votes = 722
| percentage = 4.45
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 16,236
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no party no change
| title = Hagerstown city council election, 2024{{cite web |title=Official 2024 Presidential General Election Results for Washington County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/General_Results/gen_results_2024_by_county_22.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 24, 2024}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Tiara Burnett (incumbent)
| votes = 6,371
| percentage = 13.37
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Kristin Aleshire (incumbent)
| votes = 6,363
| percentage = 13.35
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Erika Bell
| votes = 5,412
| percentage = 11.36
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Caroline Anderson
| votes = 4,557
| percentage = 9.56
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
| candidate = Sean Flaherty
| votes = 4,394
| percentage = 9.22
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Mark Bell
| votes = 4,373
| percentage = 9.18
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Matthew Schindler (incumbent)
| votes = 4,199
| percentage = 8.81
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Peter Perini (incumbent)
| votes = 4,046
| percentage = 8.49
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Stacy Michael
| votes = 3,999
| percentage = 8.39
}}
{{Election box candidate no party no change
| candidate = Rich Owens
| votes = 3,719
| percentage = 7.80
}}
{{Election box write-in no party no change
| votes = 233
| percentage = 0.47
}}
{{Election box total no party no change
| votes = 47,656
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Maryland House of Delegates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schindler, Matthew}}
Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly
Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
Category:Maryland city council members