Robert Zirkin

American politician (born 1971)

Bobby Zirkin
Zirkin in 2008
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 10, 2007 – January 1, 2020
Preceded byPaula Hollinger
Succeeded byShelly L. Hettleman
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 11th district
In office
January 13, 1999 – January 10, 2007
Preceded byRobert L. Frank
Succeeded byDana Stein
Personal details
Born
Robert Alan Zirkin

(1971-04-24) April 24, 1971 (age 53)
Davis, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTina
Children2
EducationJohns Hopkins University (BA)
Georgetown University (JD)

Robert Alan Zirkin[1] (born April 24, 1971) is an American politician who was a member of the Maryland Senate from the 11th district from 2007 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2007.

Early life and education

Zirkin was born in Davis, California, on April 24, 1971,[2] to Barry and Barbara Zirkin.[3] He grew up in Pikesville, Maryland[4] and graduated from Pikesville High School. He later attended the London School of Economics through American University in 1992 and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in political science with honors in 1993, and Georgetown University, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1998. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2000.[2]

Career

Zirkin says he has been involved in politics since he was in elementary school, when his parents would take him canvassing while volunteering for local campaigns, including for the Smith-Greenspring Association.[4] After graduating from Johns Hopkins, he served as the president of Young Democrats of Maryland from 1994 to 1995[2] and spoke at the 1996 Democratic National Convention.[5]

Zirkin operated his own solo practice from 2008 to 2015, afterwards opening the Zirkin and Schmerling Law firm,[2] which focuses on criminal law, family law, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation.[6]

Maryland General Assembly

Zirkin was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998[7] and sworn in on January 13, 1999. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee during his entire tenure, including as the chair of its juvenile law subcommittee from 2003 to 2007, and was a member of the Baltimore County Delegation.[2]

On July 18, 2005, Zirkin announced that he would run for the Maryland Senate in District 11, seeking to succeed Paula Hollinger, who retired to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 3rd congressional district.[8] He won the September 2006 Democratic primary with 71.3 percent of the vote,[9] and defeated Republican Jeffrey Yablon in the general election.[10]

Zirkin was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 10, 2007. He was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee during his first term from 2007 to 2010, afterwards serving in the Judicial Proceedings Committee for the remainder of his tenure.[2] Media outlets described Zirkin as a centrist and political moderate[6][11][12] who frequently clashed with progressive groups, legislators, and activists.[13][14] After state senator Brian Frosh was elected Attorney General of Maryland in November 2014, Senate President Thomas V. Miller Jr. appointed Zirkin as the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.[15]

Zirkin with Governor Larry Hogan during his press conference on fracking, 2017

Zirkin has a history of ingratiating himself with Republicans in the General Assembly and Governor Larry Hogan. During his tenure in the legislature, Zirkin attended Hogan's 2017 press conference where he announced his support for Zirkin's bill to ban fracking in Maryland; endorsed Republicans in competitive county executive elections; and appeared at several fundraisers held by Republican members of the Judicial Proceedings committee.[16] During an August 2018 interview with the Daily Record, Zirkin accused Ben Jealous, the Democratic nominee for governor in the 2018 Maryland gubernatorial election, of attempting to politicize judicial appointments in Maryland, which he considered out of character for the state,[17][18] and criticized his criminal justice platform as being unrealistic.[19][20] Despite this, Zirkin did not endorse either candidate in the general election.[21]

Zirkin became less focused on his legislative career after his mother died from cancer in June 2019, prompting rumors that he would resign.[6] Zirkin resigned from the Senate effective January 1, 2020, saying that politics had become too divisive and driven by special interests and social media.[13] He was succeeded by state delegate Shelly L. Hettleman.[22]

Post-legislative career

In December 2020, a year after his resignation, Zirkin started his own lobbying firm, Zirkin & Schmerling Government Relations.[23] He lobbied on behalf of the Catholic Church in opposition to the Maryland Child Victims Act, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases.[24] After the bill passed during the 2023 legislative session, Zirkin was reported to be advertising services to abuse survivors.[25]

In May 2024, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan announced that Zirkin would co-chair the "Democrats for Hogan" organization supporting his 2024 U.S. Senate campaign.[26] In interviews with The Washington Post and Maryland Matters, Zirkin said that he was supporting Hogan in part because of his positions on Israel,[27] noting that Alsobrooks had been endorsed by U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen, who has been critical of U.S. support for Israel's military amid the Israel–Hamas war.[28]

Personal life

Zirkin is married to his wife Tina. Together, they have two daughters and live in Pikesville, Maryland. He is Jewish and a member of the Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Stevenson, Maryland.[4]

Zirkin at the Orioles' 2017 Opening Day game with Governor Hogan

In April 2017, Zirkin threw the first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Opening Day.[29]

Political positions

Crime

During the 2009 legislative session, Zirkin amended a bill partially repealing the death penalty to require a murderer's conviction to be based on DNA evidence to be eligible for the death sentence.[30] He was considered to be the swing vote for a bill to repeal the death penalty in Maryland in 2013,[31] which he ultimately supported,[32] but later said that he had no moral qualms with seeing "horrible monsters" being put to death.[33]

During the 2014 legislative session, Zirkin opposed a bill to reform the state's bail-setting practices to use computers instead of District Court commissioners to determine who should go free pending trial, instead supporting a bill that would add an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to overturn the Maryland Court of Appeals' unanimously 2017 decision that prohibits judges from setting bails that defendants are unable to pay.[34][35]

During the 2018 legislative session, Zirkin introduced an omnibus crime bill that would increase the maximum penalties for using a gun while committing a violent felony from 20 to 40 years in prison, provide $21 million to violence prevention programs over four years, and repeal a law that allows defendants charged with or serving a sentence for a violent crime to be transferred from jail for drug treatment.[36] Many of the bill's provisions were taken from proposals by Republican Governor Larry Hogan, who introduced them as part of a package of bills to combat street violence and reimplement mandatory minimum sentencing.[37] The bill was opposed by Progressive Maryland, who called it "racially bigoted injustice" written by white supremacists that is designed for mass incarceration of Black people and "genocide". In response, Zirkin spoke on the Senate floor against Progressive Maryland, calling the group's members "lint" and "crazies" and condemning the group's use of the term genocide as it evoked memories of the Holocaust.[38] Zirkin's bill passed the Senate, but was rejected by the House of Delegates.[39]

During the 2019 legislative session, Zirkin introduced Grace's Law 2.0, which increased the state's penalties for cyber harassment from a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $500 fine to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill was named for Grace McComas, a 15-year-old who took their own life in 2012 following online taunts and hate speech.[40] The bill unanimously passed the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[41]

Environment

Zirkin repeatedly introduced bills to ban fracking in Maryland,[42] including in 2017,[43] which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[44] During the 2015 legislative session, he introduced a bill to hold energy companies financially liable for injury, death, or loss of property caused by fracking.[45]

Gun control

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin amended the Firearm Safety Act to add a provision banning patients admitted to a hospital for emergency mental health evaluations on the recommendation of a doctor from purchasing a firearm.[46] In 2016, he supported a bill to ban guns from college campuses.[47] In 2019, Zirkin voted for a bill to repeal Maryland's Handgun Permit Review Board.[48]

Immigration

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin opposed the Trust Act, which would prohibit local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[6] After the bill failed to pass that year, state delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk criticized Zirkin as a "Democrat In Name Only" and called on his constituents to vote against him in the Democratic primaries that year.[49] During a Jews United for Justice meeting in July 2017, he said that he supported "nine out of ten provisions in the bill", but opposed the provision that would prohibit detainee fingerprints from going to ICE, which he worried would protect people on the Terrorist Screening Database.[50]

Israel

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill that would prohibit the state from contracting with companies that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[51][52] After the bill failed to pass, Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order codifying it into law.[53]

Marijuana

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and reduce fines for possession to a maximum of $100.[54] He reintroduced the bill in 2014, during which it passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.[55]

Zirkin voted against a bill that would require employers to pay sick leave during the 2017 legislative session, but voted in January 2018 to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto on the bill.[56]

Social issues

In 2006, Zirkin opposed attempts to force a vote on an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to ban gay marriage in 2006.[57] He was a co-sponsor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland in 2012,[58] and of a 2014 bill to prohibit discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, and public accommodations.[59]

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill that would ban smoking in cars when there is a passenger younger than eight years old.[60] The bill passed the Senate, but died in the House of Delegates.[61]

During the 2016 legislative session, Zirkin pushed for an amendment to weaken Alex and Calvin's Law—a bill to increase penalties for people who provide alcohol to someone younger than 21 years old—by only allowing jail time and higher fines only if the adult in question "knew or should have known" that an underage drinker would drive, and if the driver caused "serious injury or death to the individual or another."[62] He also sought to introduce an amendment to Noah's Law—a bill expanding the use of ignition locks on drunk drivers' vehicles—that would allow punitive damages in civil lawsuits involving drunk drivers.[63]

In March 2016, Zirkin supported a bill to limit when the Maryland Transit Administration could use devices to record the conversations of passengers, calling it "indiscriminate mass surveillance" and an encroachment of people's privacy rights.[64][65]

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin expressed concerns with a bill hat would allow a woman who becomes pregnant during a rape to terminate the attacker's parental rights, saying that he was troubled with the idea of a man losing his parental rights without being convicted of sexual assault. After the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee made changes to the bill following its passage in the House of Delegates, Zirkin appointed himself, bill sponsor William C. Smith Jr., and Michael Hough to a conference committee to negotiate the final wording of the bill.[66] The committee appeared to reach an agreement, but could not get the bill's new text printed before the legislature adjourned sine die at midnight.[67]

During the 2019 legislative session, Zirkin voted for the End-of-Life Option Act, which would provide terminally ill patients with medical aid in dying, after adding amendments to the bill to raise the age limit, require mental health assessments, and remove immunity clauses for doctors who offer the prescriptions.[68][69]

Taxes

During the 2012 legislative session, Zirkin opposed a bill to raise taxes on Marylanders that earn at least half a million dollars a year, accusing legislators of singling out a certain class.[70]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 11 Democratic primary election, 1998[71]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael J. Finifter 7,350 24.6
Democratic Dan K. Morhaim 5,656 18.9
Democratic Robert Zirkin 5,178 17.3
Democratic Robert L. Frank (incumbent) 5,082 17.0
Democratic Robyn I. Stevens 3,693 12.4
Democratic Theodore Levin 2,900 9.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 11 general election, 1998[72]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael J. Finifter 26,823 21.5
Democratic Dan K. Morhaim 26,452 21.2
Democratic Robert Zirkin 24,231 19.4
Republican Virginia G. Schuster 17,825 14.3
Republican Christian Cavey 15,574 12.5
Republican Grant Harding 13,710 11.0
Independent William T. Newton (write-in) 64 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 11 general election, 2002[73]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin (incumbent) 30,467 23.5
Democratic Jon Cardin 29,480 22.7
Democratic Dan K. Morhaim (incumbent) 28,098 21.7
Republican J. Michael Collins Sr. 14,601 11.3
Republican Betty L. Wagner 13,483 10.4
Republican Grant Harding 13,411 10.3
Write-in 130 0.1
Maryland Senate District 11 Democratic primary election, 2006[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin 14,362 71.3
Democratic Scott Rifkin 5,779 28.7
Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2006[75]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin 34,782 70.8
Republican Jeffrey S. Yablon 14,312 29.1
Write-in 46 0.1
Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2010[76]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin (incumbent) 38,730 98.4
Write-in 644 1.6
Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2014[77]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin (incumbent) 30,201 97.5
Write-in 765 2.5
Maryland's 11th Senate district general election, 2018[78]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Zirkin (incumbent) 40,472 96.9
Write-in 1,299 3.1

References

  1. ^ "Robert Alan Zirkin". Justia. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Robert A. Zirkin, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 14, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Feiler, Alan (June 21, 2019). "Dr. Barbara G. Zirkin, Academic and Mother of State Senator, Dies at 75". JMORE. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Arnold, Peter (August 23, 2017). "'Citizen Legislator' Bobby Zirkin". JMORE. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Smith, C. Fraser (August 27, 1996). "Maryland delegates get upbeat marching orders Campaign emphasizes repetition of themes on Clinton successes". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Kurtz, Josh (December 3, 2019). "Powerful Committee Chairman Zirkin to Step Down". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Carson, Larry (August 31, 1998). "Spending disparities mark Balto. County races". The Baltimore Sun. ProQuest 406378622. Retrieved June 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Del. Zirkin announces run for 11th District Senate seat". The Baltimore Sun. July 19, 2005. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Barnhardt, Laura; Mitchell, Josh (September 14, 2006). "Some votes remain too close to call". The Baltimore Sun. ProQuest 406124758. Retrieved June 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Barnhardt, Laura; Mitchell, Josh (November 8, 2006). "Brochin leading in early returns". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  11. ^ Feiler, Alan (December 3, 2019). "Sen. Bobby Zirkin to Resign after Two Decades in the General Assembly". JMORE. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (December 3, 2019). "Zirkin to retire from Maryland Senate". Daily Record. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Wood, Pamela (December 3, 2019). "Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore County member of General Assembly since 1999, says he's resigning next month". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  14. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (December 3, 2019). "Bobby Zirkin, a moderating force in the Maryland Senate, will resign his seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Wagner, John (December 3, 2014). "Zirkin named chairman of judicial panel in Md. Senate, among other assignments". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 16, 2018). "Josh Kurtz: Meet Larry Hogan's New Best Friend". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  17. ^ Lash, Steve (August 14, 2018). "Zirkin assails Jealous for likening Court of Appeals to Supreme Court". Daily Record. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  18. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Gaines, Danielle E. (November 6, 2018). "Six Big Decisions the Governor Will Make in the Next Four Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  19. ^ Cox, Erin (September 23, 2018). "Hogan pitches modest vision while Jealous aims to reshape state government". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  20. ^ Dresser, Michael; Wood, Pamela (September 23, 2018). "As Ben Jealous runs to the left, some Democrats keep distance or embrace Hogan". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  21. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (September 15, 2018). "Democratic Sen. Mathias all but endorses Hogan". Daily Record. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  22. ^ DeVille, Taylor (January 28, 2020). "Baltimore County Democrats nominate state delegate, Catonsville progressive for vacant seats". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  23. ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 15, 2020). "Zirkin Joining Ranks of Registered State House Lobbyists". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  24. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 5, 2021). "Zirkin Returns to Old Committee to Testify Against Wilson's Child Sex Abuse Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  25. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (June 5, 2023). "Ex-Maryland state Sen. Robert 'Bobby' Zirkin advertises legal assistance under Child Victims Act, which he once testified against". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (May 15, 2024). "Hogan urges Democrats to back him in Maryland Senate race with new video". The Hill. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  27. ^ Schwartzman, Paul; Cox, Erin (May 15, 2024). "Larry Hogan has won statewide twice. But now everything is different". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  28. ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 20, 2024). "Get ready for a 'Groundhog Day' Senate election". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  29. ^ Seidel, Jeff (April 5, 2017). "Zirkin Throws Out First Pitch at Orioles' Opening Day at Camden Yards". JMORE. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  30. ^ "Md. Senate approves death penalty bill". Daily Record. March 5, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  31. ^ Wagner, John; Davis, Aaron C. (February 21, 2013). "Md. Senate panel approves measures on death penalty repeal, tighter gun-control". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  32. ^ Wagner, John (February 20, 2013). "Zirkin announces support for death penalty repeal, bolstering prospects for passage". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  33. ^ Wagner, John (March 6, 2013). "Death penalty repeal approved by Maryland Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  34. ^ Wagner, John; Kunkle, Fredrick (March 31, 2014). "Md. Senate approves measure to streamline bail". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  35. ^ Kunkle, Fredrick (May 4, 2014). "Maryland on the verge of providing lawyers to indigent defendants at initial bail hearings". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  36. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 24, 2018). "Md. lawmakers struggle for ways to address crime in one of the nation's most violent cities". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  37. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 4, 2018). "Maryland Senate readies crime bill that includes some of Gov. Hogan's ideas, cuts others". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  38. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 27, 2018). "Zirkin, Md. senators take offense to Progressive Maryland tactics". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  39. ^ Chason, Rachel (April 7, 2018). "Maryland lawmakers reject wide-ranging crime bill, pass more modest measures". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  40. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 8, 2019). "Cyberbullying Bill Sails Through Senate, Faces Questions in House Committee". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  41. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 18, 2019). "From Tragedy Comes Action - New Cyberbullying Law Said to Be Strongest in the Nation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  42. ^ Hicks, Josh (June 24, 2016). "A new fracking fight is brewing in Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  43. ^ Hicks, Josh; Wiggins, Ovetta (March 17, 2017). "Governor calls for ban on fracking in Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  44. ^ Witte, Brian (April 4, 2017). "Maryland governor signs fracking ban into law". Associated Press. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  45. ^ Johnson, Jenna; Wiggins, Ovetta (March 24, 2015). "As fracking becomes a possibility in Maryland, lawmakers try to stall it". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  46. ^ Davis, Aaron C. (February 28, 2013). "Md. gun-control bill clears state Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  47. ^ Leaderman, Daniel (April 12, 2016). "Md. campus gun ban fails after last stand at last minute". Daily Record. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  48. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 20, 2019). "Second Senate Panel Votes OK's Abolishing Handgun Board as Reluctant Zirkin Provides Pivotal Vote". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  49. ^ Wood, Pamela (April 10, 2017). "Remains of immigration 'Trust Act' falter in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  50. ^ Arnold, Peter (July 27, 2017). "Chizuk Amuno and Jews United for Justice Host Meeting with Bobby Zirkin". JMORE. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  51. ^ Altshuler, George (January 18, 2017). "Md. legislators to push anti-BDS bill". Washington Jewish Week. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  52. ^ Dresser, Michael (February 9, 2017). "Bill brings Middle East boycott conflict to Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  53. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (October 23, 2017). "Hogan signs order opposing BDS, bars state business with companies that boycott Israel". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  54. ^ Schwartzman, Paul (March 17, 2013). "Maryland marijuana bill would end jail time and reduce the fine for small amounts". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  55. ^ Kunkle, Fredrick; Wagner, John (April 7, 2014). "Maryland Gov. O'Malley will sign marijuana decriminalization bill, he says". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  56. ^ Zorzi, William F. (January 13, 2018). "Zirkin Provides Extra Vote for Sick Leave Veto Override". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  57. ^ Barnes, Robert; Mosk, Matthew (February 3, 2006). "Gay Marriage Ban Fails in Md". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  58. ^ Masters, Greg (February 24, 2012). "How the Md. Senate voted on same-sex marriage". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  59. ^ "Transgender rights bill introduced in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. January 14, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  60. ^ Wagner, John (March 20, 2013). "Md. Senate votes to outlaw smoking in cars with young children as passengers". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  61. ^ Kunkle, Fredrick (April 13, 2014). "Maryland's activist government is progressive to some, an intrusive Mary Poppins to others". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  62. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (April 19, 2016). "How a bill to fight underage drinking got watered down". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  63. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Hicks, Josh (April 10, 2016). "Last-minute punitive damages amendment could jeopardize Noah's Law". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  64. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 1, 2016). "Devices on public buses in Maryland are listening to private conversations". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  65. ^ Wood, Pamela (March 2, 2016). "Senate gives preliminary OK to limits on transit audio recording". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  66. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (May 6, 2017). "In Maryland, one rape-law defeat threatens to overshadow other victories". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  67. ^ Duncan, Ian (April 11, 2017). "Bill to let women end parental rights of rapists fails in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  68. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 22, 2019). "Watered-Down Aid-in-Dying Bill Clears Senate Committee". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  69. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 27, 2019). "Medical Aid-in-Dying Bill Fails in Tie Senate Vote". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  70. ^ Dresser, Michael; Linskey, Annie (March 15, 2012). "Maryland Senate votes to tax the rich". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  71. ^ "1998 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. October 24, 2000. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  72. ^ "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. October 24, 2000. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  73. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2002. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  74. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 11". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  75. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 11". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  76. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  77. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
  78. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.