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Meet the Board Members
Tammy Downin,
President
Tammy returns to the Washington County Board of Elections for a fourth term having first been sworn in on 6/6/2011. She has previously served as both Board Secretary and Board Vice President. Tammy actually began her Elections involvement working as an Election Judge (1998-2004) and continued as a Chief Judge (2004-2010) before being appointed to her first term on the Board. She completed the Open Meetings Act Training Program in July 2017 and actively participates in Annual MAEO ( Maryland Association of Elections Officials) Conferences.
Tammy currently works full-time at Hospice of Washington County since 2005. Her work experience has included both For Profit and Not For Profit organizations and prefers working with Not For Profits. Other community involvement includes: Graduate Leadership of Chambersburg in 1997, Citation Award recipient for Contribution of Community Life in 1999, active involvement with Habitat for Humanity of Washington County including position of Secretary of the Board, and is a lifetime member of the Hagerstown Community College Alumni and has served several terms on their Board of Directors including positions as Secretary and President. In addition to graduating from Hagerstown Junior College, Tammy is also a graduate of Frostburg State University.
Tammy's family are from Washington County but started their family outside of the state returning when Tammy was in high school. She considers herself a lifelong resident with strong family ties to the area. When not busy with her work and community activities she spends her time being involved in the activities associated with her work and volunteer organizations. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Kandace Carpenter,
Vice President
This will be Kandace's first experience with elections. She is a practicing attorney in Washington and Frederick Counties and is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association.
Kandace is a past president of the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Maryland Theater and Lasting Change.
Kandace and her husband, Robert, have a 6-year old son, and they enjoy traveling together. Kandace is also an avid Lego builder!
Donna Brightman,
Secretary
Donna is no stranger to the Board of Elections. Her name was on the ballot five times and was elected to the Washington County Board of Education. While on the Board of Ed, she served as President.
Donna also served as President of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) and served on the Kirwan Commission, which reformed education spending in Maryland.
Most recently, Donna served as chairwoman of the Washington County Democratic Central Committee. As such, she attended many Board of Elections meetings and other election activities.
Donna and her husband, Courtney Hirsh, have two sons. Courtney has been active with First Hose Boonsboro for the last ten years, serving as President for six of those years.
Donna is now semi-retired, enjoying gardening, hiking, traveling, and continuing to engage in community activities.
Nancy Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary
Nancy joins the board as a former provisional judge and chief judge at both Bethel Gardens and Ft. Ritchie, respectively.
Nancy has worked for Coldwell Banker in Washington County for over 34 years and has helped with several non-profit/community organizations, including the Clear Spring carnival. She also volunteers in the nursery at her church.
Nancy and Mark, her husband of 25 years, have a daughter who is a junior at college in Tennessee. Nancy enjoys the beach, reading, and spending time with her dog, Snowball. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor! Way to go, Nancy!
Claudia Martin
Claudia has been active in Washington County politics for many years.
In 2016, Claudia made Washington County proud by being one of 10 members of the Maryland Electoral College!
From 2004 to 2016, Claudia was an elected member of the Washington County Democratic Central Committee and also served as the chairwoman.
From 2010 to 2023, Claudia was a member and past chairwoman of the Western Maryland PAC.
And in 2022, Claudia served as a check in judge at the Valley Grace Brethren Church in Halfway.
Claudia is a retired educator/supervisor in early childhood/special education. She opened and directed the first before/after school center in Washington County in 1985 for Maugansville Elementary School.
In 2014, Claudia was the Strathmore Who's Who Recipient for Child Care Directors.
Claudia also currently sits on a number of board of directors, including Head Start of Washington County, Home Sweet Home Foundation, and the Authentic Community Theatre.
Claudia is a member of the Frostburg State Alumni Association, serving as president from 1989-1991. FSU is also where she met her husband, Al. They have two grown children and a 5 1/2 year old grandson.
Claudia enjoys live theater performances, concerts, and the beach.
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