Please join us on May 15, from 2-4 pm at Sandy Point State Park for a family picnic fundraiser! Beer, wine, and food will be provided, and we will also have some fun kids’ activities.

I am also excited to share that we will be joined by special guest Senator Will Smith, Chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Sen. Smith is an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserves and is currently assigned to a unit at the Pentagon. In March 2019, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, serving in Kabul, Afghanistan until October 2019. There, he served as the Branch Chief for the Governance and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) divisions within the Combined Joint Intelligence Operations Center- Afghanistan (CJIOC-A).

In addition to his military service and service in the Maryland Senate, Sen. Smith is an attorney with Solomon Law Firm, PLLC, where his practice focuses on security clearance defense, administrative investigations, disciplinary action defense, and employment matters relating to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA).

We hope you can join us! Tickets may be purchased here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/springpicnicfordawn

Please join host Councilman Andrew Pruski on April 5, 2022 from 5:30-7 pm for a FREE meet & greet with Dawn Gile, candidate for the Maryland Senate! Apps and your first beer is on us! Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact dawn@dawngile.com for more information.

I am very proud to share some exciting news: I have received the endorsement of Maryland State Education Association, an organization that represents 76,000 teachers, educators, school administrators, and other education professionals throughout the State of Maryland. I am grateful to MSEA for this endorsement and especially grateful to Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County (“TAAAC”) for recommending my endorsement. As a parent of children in public schools, I care deeply about education and ensuring that all children are given a safe and supportive learning environment to thrive. As Maryland’s next State Senator, I will be an advocate for our educators and schools to ensure they have the resources they need to help our students reach their fullest potential. 

Although these colder months seem sluggish and slow-moving, our campaign continues to roll full steam ahead! 

In January, we had our first financial reporting deadline — an important one to establish the viability of this campaign. I am thrilled to share that YOU helped us raise nearly $75,000 in just under 6 months! In fact, we outraised my opponent! 💥 Thank you so much for believing in me. Your donations are critical to building my campaign infrastructure and are essential to setting us on a path to victory this year!
 

Our campaign is making news! 

Maryland Matters recently listed District 33 among “A Baker’s Dozen of Political Races to Watch in 2022” and also one of the most competitive state Senate districts, noting:

“…Sen. Edward R. Reilly (R) is now vulnerable, and Democrats are becoming increasingly bullish about their likely nominee, lawyer and nonprofit executive Dawn Gile, who actually outraised Reilly over the past year..”

Check out, also, the profile that The Capital wrote on our campaign [linked here]: 

“Dawn Gile, a lawyer who represents businesses of all sizes across the state in litigation, said she decided to run for the District 33 Maryland Senate seat as a Democrat when she saw the effects the COVID-19 pandemic was having on families.

‘I was really frustrated by how disproportionally the pandemic has caused more women to leave the workforce, and I want more or better policies that support working families, like more access to affordable housing, high-quality child care, as well as, in general, support for our public schools,’ Gile said.”

We are proud to add a few more groups to our growing list of endorsements! Thank you to Steamfitters UA Local #602 and Plumbers and Gasfitters Local #5 for your support for my campaign! As Maryland’s next State Senator, I am committed to being an advocate for working residents and families in Maryland, and I am very grateful for your endorsement.

Want to add YOUR NAME to our list of individuals and groups endorsing #TeamDawn? Follow this link here and tell us why Dawn should be Maryland’s next State Senator!

Follow #TeamDawn on social media to stay updated on all of the latest campaign news! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

As always, thank you so much for your support!

My very best,

Dawn

Originally printed in Above The Law on November 11, 2021

The change of season this fall feels symbolic to my family and me as we transition to new chapters in our lives. My husband has been serving active duty in the Army for the past 23 years, although he has begun the retirement process, with a retirement date by next year. Veterans Day has given us an opportunity to reflect on his many years of proud service.

I first met my husband nearly 15 years ago, with our marriage following soon thereafter. At the time, I was a newly licensed attorney in Illinois, and therefore, a move to Maryland, where he was stationed, required another bar exam if I wanted to continue practicing law. We are fortunate among military families, however, in that he has been able to remain stationed in Maryland for the majority of his service. That geographic stability — practically unheard of for military families —  has also meant career stability for me in that I have been able to develop my legal practice as a litigator in Maryland.

The years, nonetheless, have not been without their challenges due to frequent overseas deployments and other absences for military assignments. Our first child, now 11 years old, bore the greatest burden as her early years were ups and downs of tearful goodbyes and joyful reunions. We also weathered the one constant in military life: that you could never count on anything. Planning for a vacation? Canceled. Growing your family? Be sure to thread the needle on the expected due date to ensure your spouse will be home for the delivery.

Sorting out childcare also fell squarely on my shoulders given we, like many military families, lack that aunt, grandparent, cousin, or uncle in the area to help. I was committed, however, to continue working as my legal career — one that I worked so hard to obtain — was important to me. There were many months of his absences where it felt like I was barely keeping my head above water, with dinners often consisting of a bowl of cereal or saltine crackers eaten over the kitchen sink after our girls were in bed.

Despite the challenges, I cannot imagine any other path for our family. My husband is the epitome of a soldier, not just in his courage, patriotism, and commitment to the mission, but also by the quiet humility with which he has served our country over the past few decades. I never thought I would ever marry a soldier, but I have been so grateful and proud to have been part of his world of brave and selfless men and women of our Armed Forces. Let’s face it: he also has the coolest job ever to discuss at career day at our daughters’ school. (Apparently telling elementary kids about your job as a lawyer is just not as exciting as his stories of jumping out of airplanes, eating MREs, and being awarded various medals and ribbons.)

Indeed, being a military family has become a large part of our identity and the imminent transition to civilian life, although exciting, feels bittersweet in some ways. I am excited for new opportunities ahead as he assesses his career options post-military, and I have no doubt that he will chart a career path of continued service. In fact, his military career inspired my own commitment to public service as I recently made the decision to run for Maryland’s state legislature. Although this decision added yet another plate to my delicate balancing act of work and family, I felt compelled to continue my advocacy for military families and veterans and to ensure that we have good people in office, at all levels of leadership, who are making the right decisions for this important community.

This Veterans Day, I am so incredibly thankful for my husband and for our nation’s many veterans who have, without hesitation, courageously answered the call to preserve and defend our country. I am also grateful for the military spouses quietly serving on the homefront, who tuck their children in bed after tearful deployment goodbyes and then eat crackers for dinner over the kitchen sink. Thank you.

Please join me on January 5 at 6 pm for a virtual celebration for my birthday (my actual birthday is New Year’s Day, but I’m going to guess you have plans that day…)! I am thrilled to share that Congressman Anthony G. Brown will be our special guest speaker. A retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Congressman Brown has devoted his life to serving his community and defending our nation. He has also been a dedicated servant for Marylanders as a Delegate, Lieutenant Governor, and Representative for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

This fundraiser will be one of my very last prior to the first reporting deadline–an important one to establish my viability as a candidate–and I would be very grateful for your support. In addition to Congressman Brown, we’ll have a few other special guest speakers!

On this National Veterans and Military Families Month, I am thrilled to share the news of my endorsement by New Politics, an organization that works to recruit, develop, and elect servant leaders and veterans who put community and country over self. Read the press release on this endorsement, below:

WASHINGTON D.C.—New Politics today endorsed attorney and military family advocate Dawn Gile to represent Maryland’s 33rd State Senate District. Emily Cherniack, Founder and Executive Director of New Politics released the following statement:

“Through her tireless work as an attorney and dedicated service fighting on behalf of fellow military families, Dawn Gile has demonstrated her lifelong commitment to empowering others. As their State Senator, Dawn will do everything in her power to ensure her District 33 neighbors have all the support and resources they need to thrive. We’re thrilled to endorse this lifelong servant leader and can’t wait to see the impact she has on her community and across the state when she gets to Annapolis.”

About Dawn Gile
In addition to being an accomplished attorney, Dawn is a proud Army spouse and an award-winning advocate for military families. She has long devoted her time to supporting veterans and military families, including having served as president of Military Spouse JD Network, an organization that works to expand employment opportunities for military spouses and provides free legal assistance to Gold Star families and veteran caregivers. Dawn is an experienced attorney, representing businesses in litigation in Maryland and the District of Columbia for over a decade. She decided to run for the Maryland Senate in District 33 after seeing a need for more effective representation on four key values: supporting working families, protecting the environment, helping small businesses thrive, and investing in our public schools. Dawn and her husband, SGM D.J. Gile, along with their three daughters, reside in Severna Park, Maryland. More information about Dawn can be found at her website: https://dawngile.com

About New Politics
New Politics is a bipartisan organization that revitalizes American democracy by recruiting, developing, and electing leaders who have committed their lives to serving our country, either through the military or national service organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. New Politics support includes strategic advising and training in all aspects of a candidate’s campaign, such as fundraising, communications, organizing, hiring, and team building. New Politics has raised more than $8.5 million for their candidates, electing more than 30 of them to office, from Congress to School Board.

In case you missed it, I’ve included below some photos from my campaign kickoff! Can you feel the energy in all of these photos? The day could not have been more perfect, and I am so grateful for the support of so many who attended.

During my remarks, I spoke about how vulnerable running for office is but how grateful I am to all of you who have shown up for me in so many ways — from your text messages and phone calls and emails and financial contributions and the million other ways you have said, “Yes. Yes. I believe in you, Dawn. And I believe in your campaign.” Gosh, everyone. Thank you.

I also talked about how I am the type of person who just cannot say no to my community and issues I deeply care about.  I can’t say no to investing in our public schools and fairly compensating our teachers. I can’t say no to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. I can’t say no to supporting working families with affordable, quality childcare and paid family leave. I can’t say no to supporting our local businesses. I can’t say no to veterans and military families.

And I truly cannot thank you all enough — for saying YES to me and saying YES to my campaign.

I am especially grateful for the generosity of the Higgs family who hosted the event. Special thanks, as well, to County Executive Steuart Pittman, Delegate Heather Bagnall, and Councilman Andrew Pruski for their support and kind words.

Many thanks, as well, to Main & Market for the amazing food, and to Don & Cathy MacMurray for their generous donation of the wine and beer. My most special thanks to my family, including my big sister, Michelle, who flew across the country to be with me.

Ready to get this campaign KICKED OFF RIGHT? Please join me on October 17 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm for a campaign kickoff fundraiser. This event will be held outdoors in Severna Park (address provided upon RSVP). Hors d’oeuvres and drinks included. COVID precautions will be observed. Many thanks to our hosts, Roy and Marilyn Higgs. Tickets may be purchased here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dawngilekickoff

If you prefer to make a donation by check, please make the check out to “Committee to Elect Dawn Gile” and mail to: P.O. Box 1362, Severna Park, MD 21146.

I’m thrilled to share the news that this week, I officially filed my candidacy for the Maryland Senate in District 33!

As a military spouse, I have a strong commitment to public service, and during my time as a nonprofit leader and lawyer, I have seen that advocacy is often not enough to make positive change. State and local elections have consequences, and I want to ensure that our communities have effective leadership in their corner. Therefore, I have decided to take action.

I was proud to file with Del. Heather Bagnall, who filed for her reelection. I look forward to the opportunity to represent District 33 and to partner with Del. Bagnall, who has been a true coalition builder and dedicated legislator, who works tirelessly for our community.

My campaign has already been off and running over the last several weeks, and I have been extraordinarily grateful for the overwhelming support that I have already received. This campaign journey will continue to roll full steam ahead with grassroots efforts like doorknocking and regular outdoor gatherings to meet with voters. However, I’ll need your help! Please consider volunteering on my team or making a contribution to support my campaign!