Craig Zucker
Craig Jason Zucker (born March 23, 1975) is an American politician who has represented District 14 in the Maryland Senate since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2011 to 2016.
Craig Zucker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maryland Senate from the 14th district | |
| Assumed office February 4, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Karen S. Montgomery |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 14th district | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – February 4, 2016 | |
| Preceded by |
|
| Succeeded by | Pamela E. Queen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Craig Jason Zucker March 23, 1975 Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jenny |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | St. Thomas Aquinas College (BS) Johns Hopkins University (MA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and education edit
Zucker was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Teaneck.[1] He earned his Bachelor of Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 1997, and his masters degree in government from Johns Hopkins University in 2004.[2]
Political career edit
Zucker first got involved in politics as a college intern for U.S. Senators Bill Bradley and Carl Levin, and later worked as a scheduler for Senator Barbara Boxer. He worked as a legislative director to Maryland state delegate Peter Franchot from 1999 to 2000, afterwards working as a deputy district director for U.S. Representative Albert Wynn until 2004. Zucker served as the vice-chair of the Mid-County Recreation Advisory Board in Montgomery County, Maryland from 2004 to 2006, and as the deputy chief of staff to Comptroller Peter Franchot until 2010.[2]
In 2002, Zucker unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 14,[3] placing fourth with 12.3 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary election.[4]
Maryland General Assembly edit
Zucker was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011, and was a member of the Appropriations Committee during his entire tenure. From 2015 to 2016, he served as the House chair of the Joint Audit Committee.[2]
In December 2015, following the resignation of state senator Karen S. Montgomery, Zucker applied to serve the remainder of her term in the Maryland Senate.[5] His candidacy was backed by Senate president Thomas V. Miller Jr.[6] In January 2016, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee voted to nominate Zucker to fill the seat,[7] and Governor Larry Hogan appointed him to the seat at the end of the week. Zucker was sworn in on February 4, 2016.[8]
Zucker was a member of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee until 2018, afterwards serving in the Budget and Taxation Committee.[2] In December 2019, following the election of Bill Ferguson as President of the Maryland Senate, Zucker was named as the chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.[9] In August 2021, Ferguson appointed Zucker as the chair of the Capital Budget Subcommittee following the resignation of Douglas J. J. Peters.[10]
Personal life edit
Zucker is married to his wife, Jenny. Together, they have two children and live in Brookeville, Maryland.[1]
Political positions edit
Education edit
In 2018, Zucker introduced a bill that would require the state to teach sexual consent. The bill passed and became law.[11]
During the 2019 legislative session, Zucker introduced legislation that would add seats for a parent and teachers to the Maryland State Board of Education,[12] and the Ready to Read Act, which requires school systems to provide additional support to kindergarten and first grade students with reading challenges. Both bills passed and became law.[13][14]
In 2022, Zucker introduced a bill that would prohibit public schools from secluding other students except under certain conditions.[15][16]
Electoral reform edit
In 2016, Zucker voted to overrode Governor Larry Hogan's veto on a bill that would restore voting rights to released felons.[17]
During the 2017 legislative session, Zucker introduced a bill that would require Maryland to use an independent redistricting commission to draw its congressional and legislative districts if New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania all passed legislation to do the same. The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Hogan.[18]
In 2018, Zucker introduced a bill that would require social media websites to record data on political advertisements and users targeted by them, which passed and became law without Governor Hogan's signature.[19]
Gambling edit
During the 2020 legislative session, Zucker introduced a bill to authorize the state to issue sports betting licenses to fund the state's sports wagering industry and public schools.[20] The bill passed and became law.[21] After voters approved a statewide referendum to legalize sports betting in the 2020 general election, Zucker led a workgroup to develop a bill regulating the state's sports wagering industry,[22] which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[23]
Housing edit
During the 2022 legislative session, Zucker introduced a bill that would require the Comptroller of Maryland to redirect $14 million from abandoned property funds to a fund providing the right to counsel in eviction cases.[24] The bill passed and became law.[25]
Israel edit
In November 2023, Zucker and eight other state senators signed a joint letter that threatened to defund immigrants rights group CASA de Maryland because it had called for an immediate ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and condemned the "utilization of US tax dollars to promote the ongoing violence."[26]
National politics edit
In December 2019, Zucker participated in and spoke at a rally in Olney, Maryland, to support of the first impeachment of Donald Trump.[27]
Social issues edit
In March 2011, Zucker said he supported the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.[28]
In 2013, Zucker voted for a bill to repeal the death penalty in Maryland.[29]
During the 2018 legislative session and amid the MeToo movement, Zucker introduced legislation that would ban employers from imposing non-disclosure agreements on workers reporting sexual harassment and require employers with more than 50 workers to disclose information about their records in maintaining harassment-free workplaces. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[30][31]
During the 2021 legislative session and following the suicide of Jamie Raskin's son, Tommy, Cullison introduced a bill named for Tommy that would allow people to opt into periodic calls from 2-1-1 crisis counselors.[32] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan.[33]
Taxes edit
During the 2012 legislative session, Zucker introduced legislation that would provide income tax breaks on up to $2 million of forgiven mortgage debt. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.[34]
In 2013, Zucker voted for a bill to index the state's fuel taxes to inflation to pay for transportation projects.[35]
Transportation edit
During the 2020 legislative session, Zucker introduced a bill that would require the state to provide at least $500 million toward Maryland Transit Administration projects annually for five years.[36] The bill died in committee.[37]
In 2021, Zucker introduced legislation that would prohibit the Maryland Transit Administration from purchasing buses that are not zero-emission.[38]
Electoral history edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Herman L. Taylor Jr. (incumbent) | 5,352 | 16.6 | |
| Democratic | Karen S. Montgomery | 4,678 | 14.5 | |
| Democratic | Anne Kaiser | 4,280 | 13.3 | |
| Democratic | Craig Zucker | 3,953 | 12.3 | |
| Democratic | Allan Mulligan | 2,970 | 9.2 | |
| Democratic | Robert "Bo" Newsome | 2,391 | 7.4 | |
| Democratic | Holly Reed | 2,217 | 6.9 | |
| Democratic | A. Michael Kelley | 2,151 | 6.7 | |
| Democratic | Michael B. Dupuy | 1,420 | 4.4 | |
| Democratic | Mike Cafarelli | 1,137 | 3.5 | |
| Democratic | Peter G. Esser | 848 | 2.6 | |
| Democratic | Harold H. Huggins | 794 | 2.5 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anne Kaiser (incumbent) | 6,380 | 24.1 | |
| Democratic | Craig Zucker | 6,216 | 23.5 | |
| Democratic | Eric Luedtke | 3,696 | 14.0 | |
| Democratic | Jodi Finkelstein | 3,154 | 11.9 | |
| Democratic | Robert Bo Newsome | 2,834 | 10.7 | |
| Democratic | Gerald Roper | 1,660 | 6.3 | |
| Democratic | Neeta Datt | 1,288 | 4.9 | |
| Democratic | Vanessa Ali | 1,244 | 4.7 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anne Kaiser (incumbent) | 23,503 | 21.5 | |
| Democratic | Craig Zucker | 22,148 | 20.2 | |
| Democratic | Eric Luedtke | 21,165 | 19.3 | |
| Republican | Patricia A. Fenati | 14,866 | 13.6 | |
| Republican | Henry Kahwaty | 14,152 | 12.9 | |
| Republican | Maria Peña-Faustino | 13,639 | 12.4 | |
| Write-in | 79 | 0.1 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anne Kaiser (incumbent) | 21,988 | 20.2 | |
| Democratic | Craig Zucker (incumbent) | 20,917 | 19.3 | |
| Democratic | Eric Luedtke (incumbent) | 20,012 | 18.4 | |
| Republican | Patricia Fenati | 15,392 | 14.2 | |
| Republican | Sharon Trexler Begosh | 15,096 | 13.9 | |
| Republican | Michael A. Ostroff | 15,086 | 13.9 | |
| Write-in | 114 | 0.1 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Craig Zucker (incumbent) | 13,261 | 100.0 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Craig Zucker (incumbent) | 40,262 | 72.6 | |
| Republican | Robert Drozd | 15,177 | 27.4 | |
| Write-in | 52 | 0.1 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Craig Zucker (incumbent) | 40,262 | 73.3 | |
| Republican | Alex Bieber | 12,099 | 26.6 | |
| Write-in | 55 | 0.1 | ||
References edit
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday To Englewood Democrat Craig Zucker". Englewood Daily Voice. March 23, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Craig J. Zucker, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Cottman, Michael H. (September 5, 2002). "Now, More Minorities On Ballot". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 14". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. March 19, 2003. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (December 4, 2015). "Longtime state legislator from Montgomery resigns". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (January 26, 2016). "Miller pushes for Hogan to fill empty Senate seat for Montgomery County". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Olivo, Antonio (January 21, 2016). "Montgomery Democrats nominate Del. Zucker to fill empty Senate seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Pamela (February 3, 2016). "Craig Zucker to be sworn in as state senator Thursday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 13, 2019). "'We Rise and Fall Together,' Ferguson Tells Nervous Montgomery Co. Leaders". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 2, 2021). "Ferguson Adds to His Leadership Team, Shifts Some Senators' Committee Assignments". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Chason, Rachel (March 31, 2018). "Maryland lawmakers advance bill that requires schools to teach sexual consent". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 14, 2019). "Lawmakers Again Look to Add Parent, Teachers to State Education Board". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (May 12, 2019). "Hogan to Sign Bills That Expand Health Care, Increase Age to Buy Tobacco". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 28, 2019). "Here Is a Capsule Look at 10 Bills Hogan Allowed to Become Law". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 5, 2020). "Bill Would Require Cameras in Special Education Classrooms to Capture Possible Abuse". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 14, 2022). "Lawmakers Consider Bill to Ban Seclusion in Maryland Public Schools". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Cox, Erin (February 9, 2016). "Released felons gain right to vote in Maryland after veto override". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Zorzi, William F. (January 18, 2018). "Hogan Launches New Front in War on Gerrymandering". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Cox, Erin (May 25, 2018). "Maryland to regulate political ads on Facebook after Gov. Hogan lets bill become law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 18, 2020). "Senate Passes Bill to Take Gambling Out of the State Constitution". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 19, 2020). "Sports Betting Will Go to Ballot in November". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 11, 2021). "Sports Betting Compromise Sets Stage for Votes on Assembly's Final Day". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 13, 2021). "Sports Betting Deal Approved Overwhelmingly; Hogan Likely to Sign". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Leckrone, Bennett (April 1, 2022). "General Assembly Advances Tenant Protection Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Legislation - SB0662". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Thakker, Prem (November 9, 2023). "Maryland Democrats Threaten Funding of Immigrant Rights Group That Called for Gaza Ceasefire". The Intercept. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 17, 2019). "7 Pro-Impeachment Rallies Set for Tuesday in Md". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ . The Gazette=. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "House roll call". The Baltimore Sun. March 15, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 16, 2018). "Hogan Signs Bill Cracking Down on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "'Sextortion' ban among many new Maryland laws taking effect to protect women". The Baltimore Sun. October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 12, 2021). "Public Health Bills That Address an Array of Challenges Pass in House". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Flynn, Meagan (June 21, 2021). "Mental health law named for Rep. Raskin's late son takes effect in Md. next week". Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Ambrose, Eileen (May 23, 2012). "Maryland offers tax relief on debt forgiveness". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "House roll call on gas taxes". The Baltimore Sun. March 22, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 13, 2020). "'We Have to Get Things Moving': Baltimore-Area Leaders Urge Transit Boost". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 15, 2020). "Bills Targeting Hogan's Highway Plans Advance; Transit Funding Measure Clears House". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 29, 2021). "Senators Consider Sweeping Climate Bill - And More Modest Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
External links edit
- "Members - Senator Craig J. Zucker". mgaleg.maryland.gov. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- Campaign website