Craig Zucker

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Craig Zucker
CraigZucker.JPG
Maryland State Senator
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 14th district
Assumed office
February 4, 2016
Personal details
Born (1975-03-23) March 23, 1975 (age 49)
Englewood, New Jersey
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Jenny
Children Ben, Sam
Residence Brookeville, Maryland
Religion Jewish
Website craigzucker.com

Craig Zucker (born March 23, 1975) is an American politician from Maryland's 14th District, which includes parts or all of Silver Spring, Calverton, Colesville, Cloverly, Fairland, Burtonsville, Spencerville, Olney, Brookeville, Ashton, Sandy Spring, Brinklow, Laytonsville, Sunshine, Goshen, and Damascus in Montgomery County. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates on November 2, 2010, and sworn in on January 12, 2011, then re-elected in 2014 to his second-four year term. On February 4, 2016, he was sworn into the Maryland State Senate following the retirement of Senator Karen S. Montgomery.

Background

Zucker was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College and his Master's degree in Government from the Johns Hopkins University.[1] He lives in Brookeville, Maryland with his wife Jenny, their two sons and their dog Sophie.[2] Over the years, Zucker has been active in many community organizations, including the Greater Olney Civic Association, the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts and the Manna Food Center. He also served on Maryland's Joint Task Force on Workplace Fraud.[3]

Career

Zucker has worked in public service since graduating from college in the mid 1990s. He began his career as a scheduling assistant to U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (D-New Jersey) in 1996. He then interned for U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) in 1997, served as scheduler for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) in 1999, and was Legislative Director to Delegate Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park) from 1999-2000. He went on to serve as Deputy District Director for U.S. Representative Albert R. Wynn from 2000 to 2004. After working for Congressman Wynn, Zucker worked for Service Employees International Union before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to Comptroller Peter Franchot from 2007-10.[4]

House of Delegates

Zucker was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 and sworn in on January 12, 2011. He was originally assigned to the House Appropriations Committee, the Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee and the Oversight Committee on Pensions.[5] In November 2012, he was appointed to serve additionally on the Special Joint Committee on Pensions and in 2013 was appointed Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Administration. After winning re-election, Zucker was promoted to serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources on the House Appropriations Committee. He also sits on the Capital Budget Subcommittee, and is the House Chair of the Joint Audit Committee.[6]

2011 Marriage Equality Debate

Zucker and the other District 14 Delegates were vocal supporters of the marriage equality bill in 2011. He was quoted in March of that year as saying, "The District 14 Team and I can't wait to finally cast our yes votes."[7]

State Senate

After former Senator Karen Montgomery announced her retirement, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee nominated Zucker to replace her. He was sworn in on February 4, 2016.[8]

Awards and Honors

  • St. Thomas Aquinas College Alumni Hall of Fame, 2011.
  • Legislative Achievement of the Year, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, 2012.
  • Public Service Award, Olney Theatre Center, 2014
  • Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, The Arc of Maryland, 2015.
  • Advocate of the Year, PACT: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Fighting for Families with Developmental Disabilities, 2015.
  • The Legislative Award, The Maryland State Medical Society, "For tireless efforts protecting and improving Medicaid on behalf of the patients and physicians of Maryland", 2015.
  • Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, The Arc of Maryland, 2016.

Election Results

2002 Democratic Primary

In 2002, as a 27-year-old candidate, Zucker ran a competitive race for the Maryland House of Delegates in the newly created District 14. After losing by just 327 votes, he was asked by the District 14 Democratic winners to serve as the chair of their campaign. [9]

Name Votes Percent Outcome
Herman Taylor 5352   16.3%    Won
Karen Montgomery 4678   14.5%    Won
Anne Kaiser 4280   13.3%    Won
Craig Zucker 3953   12.3%    Lost
Allan Mulligan 2970   9.2%    Lost
Robert “Bo” Newsome 2391   7.4%    Lost
Holly Reed 2217   6.9%    Lost
A. Michael Kelly 2151   6.7%    Lost
Michael Dupuy 1420   4.4%    Lost
Mike Cafarelli 1137   3.5%    Lost
Peter Esser 848   2.6%    Lost
Harold Huggins 794   2.5%    Lost
[10]

2010 Democratic Primary

In 2010, Zucker ran again for the House of Delegates after then-Delegates Herman L. Taylor, Jr. and Karen S. Montgomery decided to run for higher offices. This time Zucker was successful in the Democratic primary, coming in second just behind incumbent Delegate Anne Kaiser.[11]

Name Votes Percent Outcome
Anne Kaiser (incumbent) 6380   24.1%    Won
Craig Zucker 6216   23.5%    Won
Eric Luedtke 3696   14%    Won
Jodi Finkelstein 3154   11.9%    Lost
Robert "Bo" Newsome 2834   10.7%    Lost
Gerald Roper 1660   6.3%    Lost
Neeta Datt 1288   4.9%    Lost
Vanessa Ali 1244   4.7%    Lost
[12]

2010 General Election

In the 2010 General Election, Democratic nominees Anne Kaiser, Eric Luedtke and Craig Zucker faced Republican nominees Patricia Fenati, Henry Kahwaty and Maria Peña-Faustino. All Democratic candidates won, with Zucker placing second.[13]

Name Votes Percent Outcome
Anne Kaiser (incumbent) 23503   21.5%    Won
Craig Zucker 22148   20.2%    Won
Eric Luedtke 21165   19.3%    Won
Patricia Fenati 14866   13.6%    Lost
Henry Kahwaty 14152   12.9%    Lost
Maria Peña-Faustino 13639   12.5%    Lost
[14]

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=sponpage&tab=subject6&id=zucker&stab=01
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. The Washington Times: Craig Zucker sworn-in as Maryland state senator one day before veto-override vote
  9. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links