Planning to Enjoy the Golden Years

Dear Friends,

I hope last weekend’s snowstorm did not disrupt your routines too much and that you were able to stay warm and safe. I am deeply grateful to all our essential workers—especially those in medical settings and those who spent long hours helping dig our communities out. While the storm kept many of us indoors, I was still able to hold a full slate of meetings from my home office, accompanied by our two dogs snoozing behind me as we looked over the computer screen out on the frigid winter wonderland.

A Message of Gratitude

When the gavel falls on Sine Die, it will mark the end of my 16th legislative session representing District 19, Montgomery County, in the General Assembly. When I began this journey, I never dreamed that I would have the honor of being elected four times. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of my district and the state. We have made great progress together.

Through it all, tough times, and better ones, I have never stopped being amazed at the energy and civic involvement of the people and the communities that I represent and my colleagues in this House. The passion to champion the rights of the disenfranchised, to extend new rights and new opportunities to the marginalized, and to recognize that our strength as a community and as a people comes when we learn to appreciate our differences instead of being afraid of them.

https://www.youtube.com/live/GDpAHa7Er7w?si=iDArTvLfbxCy6-Lg&t=1248

Why I’m Not Seeking Re-Election

Each one of us has something to contribute to our society – and when we intentionally seek to bring new people into our community, we build something together that is greater than the sum of its parts – nowhere more so than here in Maryland. I feel that together – all of us – have built something truly remarkable together – which has made it even more difficult for me to come to the decision not to seek re-election in 2026 for a fifth term.

It is time for me to spend more time with family and friends. It is time for my wife of 41 years and I to enjoy our golden years to the fullest. And it is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve.

Our journey together is not done quite yet. I am going to remain in office until my term expires at the end of the year, and Brígida and I will be ready to assist you in whatever way we can until the very last minute. In addition, I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future outside of the legislature–both in shaping the political conversation, and advocating for the issues that we care about most, although what role that will take is something still to be determined.

Our Shared Accomplishments

As I look back, I am proud of what we have accomplished; we have pioneered advances in extending affordable health care to those who were previously unable to afford it through our state reinsurance program and our young adult health insurance subsidies. We created the first in the nation Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which is on the cusp of setting payment limits on the most expensive drugs; we extended dental care to adults on the Medicaid program. We recognized and honored all individuals by passing marriage equality and extended full equality under the law to same sex couples who wanted to share in the joys of raising a family. We defended rights to reproductive health care when they came under attack – first through statute and then through enshrining those rights in our state constitution. And we made Maryland a home for all seeking refuge and opportunity, who work every day to contribute to our communities and our economy, regardless of their immigration status. Here in Maryland, we measure our success by the number of people we help to fully realize their dreams and aspirations, and we strive to make Maryland a home for all who live in it. 

Thank Yous to My Team and Colleagues

There are so many people I thank for supporting me in this legislative work. I must begin with my D19 Team. Senator Ben Kramer and Delegates Charlotte Crutchfield and Vaughn Stewart have been true partners to me. I have been inspired and learned from them as we collaborated on bills and sometimes debated policies.  I fully support each of them in their re-elections and know they will continue the team culture that benefits all residents of D19 and the state. 

As a member of the House Health Government Operations Committee for all 16 years, four of which as Vice Chair, I have been blessed and privileged to contribute to many of these changes. I have served under three wonderful committee chairs, one of whom I am excited has gone on to become Speaker of the House! To Chair Pete Hammen, Chair Shane Pendergrass, and to you, Madam Speaker, the Right Honorable Joseline Peña Melnyk, please accept my gratitude and heartfelt thanks for giving me the opportunity to grow and to champion so many of the causes we hold dear in our common quest to make our state a place which belongs to all who live in it. 

I have also been blessed to have whom I consider to be the most dedicated, energetic, and flexible staffer in all of Annapolis – my right and left hand – my go-to person for getting things done when everyone else is feeling tired- Brígida Krzysztofik. She has worked for me for the last 11 years and has always managed to stay on top of every piece of legislation and keep my constituency services second to none – all the while somehow managing my schedule and making sure I get to where I need to be. She’s done all this, even as my legislative agenda and my responsibilities have grown exponentially during the past several years. I know many of you have interacted with her and felt the passion she shares with me for bringing people together and helping those who need it most. 

Finally, I want to thank the person to whom I am most grateful, who has been a bedrock of support throughout my time in office, and someone with whom I have shared a home with for 41 wonderful years – my friend, my life partner, my true and loving wife – Marcia. I could never have begun to think of going on my journey in public service without her support.

Looking Ahead

I love everything about this job – from knocking on doors and meeting people during the campaign, to the excitement of speaking passionately on the house floor for the issues my constituents care about the most; from going out to civic associations and advocacy groups to listen to my constituents, to working with policy movers and shakers who can help turn good ideas into action. Truly, this job has offered me many opportunities to learn and to grow in my understanding of how the government can work for the people it serves. 

But nothing, nothing, has given me so much pleasure, as the experiences I’ve had in going out to meet you – to hearing your concerns as well as your aspirations, to hearing about the challenges you face as well as your hope for the future, and to seeing how the decisions that get made in Annapolis affect each and every one of you as live your lives, and make Montgomery County and Maryland the wonderful community that it is. 

After much consideration, I have come to the decision that it is time to step down and open a new chapter in my life. Words cannot express the awe and humility I have felt from the trust you have given to me to represent you in State Circle – feelings that have only grown with each passing year that I have served. I have tried my best to live up to that trust by making the most of each day on the job. Thank you all, sincerely, for putting your faith and trust in me. 

So, in addition to my heartfelt thanks, I leave you with a challenge – Please continue to be civically engaged as you have done. Please continue to pay attention, to stay involved, to come to community and civic associations, and to keep the momentum for change and social justice moving forward. Our shared journey is not yet finished and I hope you will continue and build upon the work we have done to make Maryland a wonderful place to live for everyone in it.

Let us not say “good-bye,” but rather “until we meet again.” Thank you for sixteen wonderful years and I look forward to seeing you out and about in our communities.

Best Wishes to you and your loved ones.

Stay in Touch

As always, please feel free to reach out to me in the with your thoughts, ideas, feedback and questions.