Brinkley chief-of-staff takes leave of absence

Jacqui Nigh: In 2005Jacqui Nigh, the chief-of-staff to the state Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley (R-New Market) has taken a leave of absence, saying she wanted to give the senator and his wife “personal time.”

Today, the Frederick County Sheriff’s office confirmed to PolitickerMD.com that a domestic disturbance did occur at Brinkley’s home on May 30, but said further information was unavailable because there was no arrest or criminal charges filed. Brinkley acknowledged to the Frederick News Post that he and his wife are in counseling and “working on our marriage.”

In an interview, Nigh did not address whether she played a role in the disturbance.

“I’m not speaking to it at all,” she said when contacted by PolitickerMD.com.

When the General Assembly is out of session, Nigh frequently works out of Brinkley’s home, which serves as his district office. She has been working for Sen. Brinkley since his first campaign for Delegate in 1994, as a member of his state staff for the last 12 years and helped engineer his successful primary challenge to incumbent Republican Sen. Timothy Ferguson in 2002.

“I was not there,” Nigh said of the night the domestic disturbance occurred. “All I know is what I read in the Frederick News-Post.”

“I have not spoken to the senator about it,” she added.

Asked to comment on speculation that some Republicans will call for Brinkley to resign his leadership position over his personal problems, Nigh called it “disturbing.”

“That sounds like someone who is trying to seek political gain at someone else's expense,” she said.

But some Republican lawmakers may question whether her relationship with Brinkley worked to Nigh’s financial benefit.

Besides her legislative job, Nigh was appointed in 2006 to the Maryland Racing Commission by Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), replacing Terry H. Saxon, an Eastern Shore businessman. The commission is responsible for overseeing and regulating the state horse racing industry.

The commission’s code requires that “at least three members must be knowledgeable or experienced in some aspect of thoroughbred racing, and at least three in some aspect of harness racing.”

Nigh seems to be well qualified for the post.

She is the daughter of Tom and Linda Winebrener, who are the proprietors of Fox Den Farm in Union Bridge, which according to their website, “is a complete equine facility specializing in the reproduction, care and marketing of the Standardbred horse.”

A profile in the September 2006 publication of Maryland Horse, the official publication of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, says that Nigh “has assisted her parents in their farm operation throughout her life, and also has worked in their family-owned sales agency. During her teenage years she ranked among the state’s leading junior riders, competing in the show ring aboard hunter jumpers.”

Nigh confirmed that Brinkley did write a letter of recommendation on her behalf, but also said Del. Donald B. Elliott (R-District 4B) had done the same.

In addition, Nigh said she listed Del. Richard B. Weldon (R-Brunswick) and former Del. Patrick Hogan (R) as references, but did not know if they were contacted to speak on her behalf.

Nigh vehemently claimed that her appointment to the commission was based on qualifications, and not political favoritism.

“My record stands for itself,” she said.

“I’m 42-years old,” Nigh added. “This is what I love to do. I’m good at what I do.”

Telephone messages left at Brinkley’s home and district office -- earlier and this evening -- have not been returned.