Kenneth P. Kerr

Kenneth P. Kerr (born January 28, 1957) is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates. He represents District 3B, which covers parts of Frederick County. He was previously a member of the Frederick County Board of Education from 2016 to 2018.^[1][2]

Kenneth P. Kerr
Kerr in 2019
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 3B district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2019
Preceded by	William Folden
Member, Frederick County Board of Education
In office December 7, 2016 – December 28, 2018
Succeeded by	Lois Jarman
Personal details
Born	(1957-01-28) January 28, 1957 (age 67) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Alma mater	Frederick Community College (AA) Hood College (BA) Towson University (MS) Morgan State University (EdD)

Early life and career

Kerr was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 28, 1957. He attended Frederick Community College, where he earned an A.A. degree in general studies in 1976.^[1] While at Frederick Community College, he met his wife in a philosophy class, who he married in 1984.^[3] He also attended Hood College, where he earned a B.A. degree in music in 1981. After graduating from Hood College, he worked as a fourth grade teacher for Frederick County Public Schools from 1983 to 1986.^[1] During this time, Kerr led a group of fourth-graders through the Maryland State House and thought to himself, "Wow, this is really cool. It'd be great if I could do this someday."^[4] After teaching, Kerr worked in the information technology field for 10 years, working various jobs including computer repair and writing software manuals. Writing manuals made him return to Towson University, where he earned a M.S. degree in professional writing in 1995.^[3] After graduating from Towson, Kerr worked as an English professor at Cecil College, Frederick Community College, Hagerstown Community College, Harford Community College, and Wor–Wic Community College. Since 1999, he has worked as an English professor at Frederick Community College, serving as the chair of the English department from 2011 to 2017. He later attended Morgan State University, where he earned a Ed.D. in 2003.^[1]

In 2014, Kerr unsuccessfully ran for the Frederick County Board of Education, seeking to replace board member Brad Young.^[5][6] He lost to incumbent April Miller in the general election by a margin of 43 votes. He declined to request a recount, saying that he trusted the proficiency of the elections officials in tallying absentee and provisional ballots.^[7]

In April 2016, Kerr again ran for the Frederick County Board of Education.^[8] During the general election, Kerr teamed up with candidates Michael Bunitsky and incumbent school board member Joy Schaefer to campaign and fundraise together and to pool funds.^[9] Kerr was victorious in the general election, receiving 25.7 percent of the vote.^[10] He was sworn in on December 7, 2016.^[11]

In January 2018, Kerr announced his candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates, seeking to challenge Delegate William Folden.^[12] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.^[13] Kerr defeated Folden in the general election,^[14] earning 52.4 percent of the vote.^[15] After his general election win, Kerr resigned from the Frederick County Board of Education.^[16] The Frederick County Council voted to appoint Lois Jarman to fill his seat.^[17]

In the legislature

Kerr was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. Since 2019, he has sat on the Health and Government Operations Committee. Kerr is also an associate member of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, as well as the Veterans Caucus.^[1]

Political opinions

Agriculture

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would allow farmers who grew malting barley and rye as cover crops to combine harvest their crops while still earning a stipend.^[18] The bill received an unfavorable report from the Environment and Transportation Committee.^[19]

Alcohol

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2021 legislative session that would allow some restaurants, bars, and taverns to continue selling alcoholic beverages that could be consumed off-site.^[20] The bill passed and became law with Governor Larry Hogan's signature on May 18, 2021.^[21]

Drugs

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislation session that would categorize kratom as among the most dangerous controlled substances in Maryland.^[22]

Education

Kerr supported legislation introduced by Delegate Kathy Afzali during the 2017 legislative session that would require schools be open for at least 1,080 hours a year, or roughly 155 full school days.^[23]

During the 2018 election, Kerr ran as "a champion for public education."^[24]

In January 2019, Kerr testified in support of a bill that would classify teachers at the Maryland School for the Deaf as state employees, rather than "at will" employees.^[25]

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would prove funding for a teacher apprenticeship program for the Frederick County Public Schools system.^[26] He also introduced a bill that would allow students to attend a nonprofit institution of higher learning at the same cost as an average four-year rate for tuition and fees for public colleges and universities through Maryland's higher education system.^[27][28]

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2022 legislative session that would require seizure training for teachers and other school employees.^[29] It received a favorable subcommittee report.^[30]

Environment

In March 2019, Kerr voted in favor of legislation that would ban foam takeout containers.^[31]

Guns

In February 2020, Kerr was one of seven Democrats who voted against a bill that would mandate background checks on private sales and transfers of shotguns and rifles.^[32]

Healthcare

Kerr introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that aims to reduce the amount that young people pay for insurance through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.^[33][34][35] The bill passed and went into effect without Governor Larry Hogan's signature on May 30, 2021.^[36]

In March 2019, Kerr voted in favor of a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe medication to terminally ill people, at the patient's request, to aid in their death.^[37]

Marijuana

Kerr supports the legalization of recreational marijuana.^[38][39] During the 2018 election, Kerr received an A-plus rating from the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition for his support of legalizing marijuana.^[40]

National politics

In July 2019, Kerr endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.^[41] He ran as an uncommitted delegate for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.^[42]

Social issues

In October 2017, Kerr voted in favor of legislation that would allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identity and provides alternatives for students uncomfortable for any reason.^[43]

Transportation

During his 2018 campaign, Kerr said that people should look at the impact that technology such as autonomous vehicles could have before building more lanes on Interstate 270.^[44]

Electoral history

Frederick County Board of Education Primary Election, 2014^[45]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Non-Partisan	Liz Barrett	16,235	15.3%
Non-Partisan	Brad W. Young	15,830	14.9%
Non-Partisan	Colleen E. Cusimano	13,765	12.9%
Non-Partisan	April Fleming Miller	13,044	12.3%
Non-Partisan	Kenneth Kerr	12,942	12.2%
Non-Partisan	Millicent Hall	10,131	9.5%
Non-Partisan	Mike Ferrell	9,250	8.7%
Non-Partisan	Richard S. Vallaster, III	8,967	8.4%
Non-Partisan	Jonathan C. Carothers	6,270	5.9%

Frederick County Board of Education General Election, 2014^[46]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Non-Partisan	Liz Barrett	35,673	15.5%
Non-Partisan	Brad W. Young	32,632	14.2%
Non-Partisan	Colleen E. Cusimano	31,147	13.6%
Non-Partisan	April Fleming Miller	29,700	12.9%
Non-Partisan	Kenneth Kerr	29,657	12.9%
Non-Partisan	Mike Ferrell	26,104	11.4%
Non-Partisan	Millicent Hall	23,984	10.4%
Non-Partisan	Richard S. Vallaster, III	20,470	8.9%
Non-Partisan	Other Write-Ins	422	0.2%

Frederick County Board of Education Primary Election, 2016^[47]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Non-Partisan	Joy Schaefer	21,934	17.4%
Non-Partisan	Cindy Rose	18,796	14.9%
Non-Partisan	Michael G. Bunitsky	18,467	14.7%
Non-Partisan	Ken Kerr	17,337	13.8%
Non-Partisan	Shirley A. McDonald	15,270	12.1%
Non-Partisan	Lois Jarman	12,294	9.8%
Non-Partisan	Zakir Bengali	11,117	8.8%
Non-Partisan	Jay Mason	10,791	8.6%

Frederick County Board of Education General Election, 2016^[48]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Non-Partisan	Joy Schaefer	65,734	27.6%
Non-Partisan	Ken Kerr	61,172	25.7%
Non-Partisan	Michael G. Bunitsky	59,431	25.0%
Non-Partisan	Cindy Rose	50,157	21.1%
Non-Partisan	Other Write-Ins	1,470	0.6%

Maryland House of Delegates District 3B Democratic Primary Election, 2018^[13]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Ken Kerr	2,873	100.0%

Maryland House of Delegates District 3B General Election, 2018^[49]

Party	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Ken Kerr	10,091	52.4%
Republican	William "Bill" Folden	9,168	47.6%
	Other Write-Ins	13	0.1%

References

1. "Kenneth P. Kerr, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
2. "Members - Delegate Kenneth Kerr". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
3. Masters, Kate (February 14, 2019). "Beyond the Ballot — Del. Ken Kerr". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
4. Hogan, Samantha (January 9, 2019). "Freshman delegates face 'no shortage of issues' heading into 2019 session". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
5. "Board of Education candidate Ken Kerr". Frederick News-Post. April 1, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
6. Karas, Rachel S. (April 26, 2014). "Young, Kerr top fundraisers in school board race". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
7. Rodgers, Bethany (November 18, 2014). "Bartlett passes on recount, and County Council is set". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
8. Powers, Lindsay (April 20, 2016). "FCC professor making second bid for school board, has 'more to contribute'". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
9. Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy (August 31, 2016). "Three school board candidates team up, share money for campaign materials". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
10. Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy (December 27, 2016). "School Notes: The big education stories of 2016 for Frederick". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
11. Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy (December 7, 2016). "After contentious political season, three school board members get to work". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
12. Etzler, Allen (January 23, 2018). "Ken Kerr". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
13. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
14. Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "House Dems Pick Up At Least 5 Seats". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
15. Panuska, Mallory (November 6, 2018). "Kerr ousts Folden to even out Frederick County's delegation". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
16. Kerr, Emma (November 7, 2018). "County executive to appoint Ken Kerr's replacement on Board of Education". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
17. Bohnel, Steve (January 15, 2019). "Jarman confirmed to county Board of Education in split vote". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
18. Himes, Hannah (January 1, 2020). "Del. Ken Kerr reintroducing cover crop bill in 2020 General Assembly session". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
19. Himes, Hannah (February 25, 2020). "Del. Ken Kerr's cover crop bill dies in Annapolis". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
20. "Bill Would Allow Alcohol Carry-Out, Delivery To Continue In Maryland After COVID-19 Pandemic Ends". WJZ-TV. January 21, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
21. "Legislation - HB0012". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
22. Brown, Kevin (February 4, 2020). "Maryland bills aim to restrict kratom use, availability". Maryland Independent. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
23. Gaines, Danielle E. (January 13, 2017). "School board divided on counting hours instead of days". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
24. Locke, Lisa Nevans (April 15, 2019). "Legislators With Teaching Backgrounds Bring Big-Picture Thinking to Education Policy". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
25. Hogan, Samantha (January 30, 2019). "Frederick lawmakers seek small law changes with big implications". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
26. Bohnel, Steve (March 7, 2020). "Kerr proposes teacher apprenticeship program for county students". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
27. Bohnel, Steve (January 23, 2020). "Del. Kerr's bill offers tuition assistance to those who complete community college". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
28. Bohnel, Steve (February 12, 2020). "Kerr proposes change to tuition assistance bill". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
29. McManus, Kevin (February 9, 2022). "Frederick County Delegate Ken Kerr: Bill To Require Teachers, School Staff Be Trained To Handle Seizures By Students Coming Together". WFMD. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
30. McManus, Kevin (February 16, 2022). "Delegate Kerr Says His Bills Are Moving Forward In the General Assembly". WFMD. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
31. Hogan, Samantha (March 12, 2019). "Md. House approves ban on foam takeout containers". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
32. DePuyt, Bruce (February 5, 2020). "Democrats Challenge Hogan to Put Up Solutions on Crime". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
33. Gaskill, Hannah (November 1, 2021). "'Less Than Three Fancy Coffee Drinks': New Program Offers Low-Cost Health Insurance to Young Adults". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
34. "Maryland Officials Highlight New Health Insurance Subsidy". WJZ-TV. October 28, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
35. "Frederick County Delegate Supports Legislation For Affordable Health Insurance For Young Adults". WFMD. February 9, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
36. "Legislation - SB0729". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
37. Hogan, Samantha; Mongillo, Heather (March 7, 2019). "Md. House narrowly passes bill allowing medical aid in dying". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
38. "Frederick County Delegate Sponsoring Two Expenses Through Approaching Maryland General Assembly". Frederick Daily. December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
39. "Frederick County Delegate Sponsoring Two Bills During Upcoming Maryland General Assembly". WFMD. December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
40. McManus, Kevin (June 1, 2018). "How Legislative Candidates Feel On Legalizing Marijuana Contained In Voters Guide". WFMD. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
41. Kurtz, Josh (July 29, 2019). "10 State Lawmakers Back Biden's Presidential Bid". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
42. Kurtz, Josh (January 27, 2020). "No Surprise: Biden Is Dem Establishment Choice, Convention Filings Show". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
43. St. George, Donna (October 8, 2017). "Transgender students prevail with school policy in Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
44. Marshall, Ryan (October 2, 2018). "Folden, Kerr differ on plans for relieving congestion along I-270". Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
45. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Frederick County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
46. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Frederick County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 12, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
47. "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Frederick County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. May 31, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
48. "Official 2016 Presidential General Election results for Frederick County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. September 12, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
49. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. November 12, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2022.