Maryland’s 2022 election seems far off, but Del. Brooke Lierman (D-Baltimore City) announced Thursday she’s throwing her hat into the ring to run for comptroller.

“I have a vision for what the comptroller can do for the people and the businesses in the state of Maryland, and I’m ready to share that vision as well as to listen and learn from communities and business owners around the state,” Lierman told DCist/WAMU. “There’s no time like the present to start meeting people and start getting out there to prepare for the 2022 election.”

If Lierman is elected, she would be the first female comptroller in the state. It’s a significant role in Maryland. The comptroller has the authority to collect taxes, has one of three votes on the state’s board of public works, and determines the state’s budget.

Todd Eberly, professor of political science at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland, says “a lot of folks could take a shot at running” for the office as this is one of few times in 60 years the incumbent has not run for re-election.

Earlier this week, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced his official run for governor in 2022 in a two-minute social media video. Lierman says as comptroller she would build on Franchot’s work in his 14-year tenure.

Lierman’s connections to progressive members of the legislature and voters is a bonus for her, Eberly says. Lierman is also popular with Maryland’s left-of-center Democratic Party. In 2013 and 2014, she made multiple lists of top women to watch in the state.

“She’s demonstrated that she’s an effective fundraiser and if it’s a competitive race that will certainly help,” Eberly said.

Lierman has served in the House of Delegates since 2015. She is also chair of the house’s environment and transportation committee, and founder and co-chair of the legislature’s transit caucus.

She says she’s going to run a progressive people-centered campaign.

“The comptroller’s office is uniquely situated to speak to income-based issues and make sure that we’re talking about how we can best support our small businesses, families, and communities around the state,” Lierman said.

Lierman’s house colleagues say she’s one of the harder-working delegates. Sen. Cory McCray (D-Baltimore City) served alongside Lierman in the House for almost three years.

“She advocates for things she believes in and she’s diligent in making sure there’s follow-through,” McCray said.

Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery County) was sworn in with Lierman in 2015. Moon and Lierman also attended Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda together.

“She was a much better student than me,” Moon told DCist/WAMU. “After high school, she worked on [Capitol] Hill … it didn’t surprise me that she ended up in the general assembly.”

Moon, a progressive Democrat, says Lierman takes a broad interest in progressive issues like pushing for a statewide styrofoam ban and approving the Purple Line settlement.

“She has a pulse on modern infrastructure needs,” Moon said. “And she carries with her the perspective of being raised in Montgomery County and living in Baltimore City now. I hope she carries that perspective forward with her.”

However, Eberly says, it’s unclear to what extent being a liberal or conservative adds to the role of comptroller.

“Franchot described himself as a Montgomery County liberal when he became comptroller and operated more as a fiscal conservative,” Eberly said. “You’re not setting tax policy, you’re enforcing the law.”

Eberly also points out that throughout his years Franchot has changed the nature of the office.

“He used that office to engage on a wide range of policy issues,” Eberly said. “So his successor will inherit an office with more public influence.”

This story was updated to reflect that the 2022 race for comptroller is among a handful of elections held for the position in 60 years.