Kramer, Kaiser and Zucker Form Slate in District 14

Senator Rona Kramer, Delegate Anne Kaiser and Delegate candidate Craig Zucker have announced that they are running as a team in District 14. Kramer faces a challenge by Delegate Karen Montgomery. The remaining Delegate seat being vacated by Herman Taylor has attracted MCEA Board Member Eric Luedtke and possibly more candidates who have yet to announce. County Executive Ike Leggett, who lives in District 14, has endorsed the slate.

Following is the slate's press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 17, 2010

State Senator Rona Kramer, Delegate Anne Kaiser and Candidate Craig Zucker Form District 14 Leadership Team
Slate Receives Endorsement of Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett

(Olney, MD) -- Today, State Senator Rona Kramer (Democrat-Olney), Delegate Anne Kaiser (Democrat-Burtonsville) and candidate Craig Zucker (Democrat-Brookeville) announced the formation of a District 14 legislative slate called the District 14 Leadership Team.

“We are looking forward to working as a team to make sure District 14 gets the resources and representation it needs and deserves,” said the candidates in a joint statement.

Each member of the Leadership Team has pledged to protect working families, businesses, and community priorities throughout the district. Senator Kramer and Delegate Kaiser provide strong leadership in Annapolis with their positions on two powerful committees. Senator Kramer serves on the powerful Budget and Taxation Committee and Delegate Kaiser on the House Ways and Means Committee. Zucker also brings a wealth of experience to the team as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Maryland Comptroller.

“I am proud to support this group of outstanding individuals. The District 14 Leadership Team has the talent, experience, and vision that we need during these difficult economic times. They will provide strong leadership for the people of District 14,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.

“Our communities will benefit by having Rona Kramer, Anne Kaiser and Craig Zucker representing District 14 in Annapolis,” said Joy Turner, Sandy Spring activist.

Maryland’s 14th legislative District is comprised of the communities of: Ashton, Brinklow, Brookeville, Burtonsville, Calverton, Cloverly, Colesville, Damascus, Fairland, Goshen, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Olney, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Spencerville and Sunshine.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

Senator Rona Kramer
Rona Kramer has been in the Maryland Senate since 2003. She serves on the Budget and Taxation Committee, (capital budget subcommittee; past chair and current member pensions subcommittee; public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee), Joint Audit Committee, Executive Nominations Committee, Spending Affordability Committee.

She has been successful in the passage of many bills to protect senior citizens throughout Maryland, as well as, environmental protections, individual rights, and support for those with developmental disabilities.

Raised in Montgomery County, she attended Kennedy High School; University of Maryland, College Park, B.A., 1976; University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 1979.

Growing up in a family committed to public service, Senator Kramer has been a dedicated community activist her entire adult life, with the following as some of the organizations in which she has been and is still, involved: President, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; President, Shopping Center Management Association; Chair, Montgomery County Police and Fire/Rescue Awards Program; Board of Trustees, Montgomery College of Art and Design; Board of Trustees, Graffiti Abatement Partnership; Board of Trustees, Montgomery County Friends of the Library; Precinct chair and area coordinator, Montgomery County Democratic Party; and the Wheaton Revitalization Strategy Committee.
Website: www.ronakramer.com

Delegate Anne Kaiser
Anne Kaiser, 42, is proud to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 14th Legislative District.

A lifelong county resident, Anne graduated from Rockville High School, earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and two Masters Degrees from the University of Michigan.

During eight years in the legislature, Kaiser has been the prime sponsor of 32 bills that are now law, primarily dealing with education policy and tax policy.

Kaiser, a member of the Ways & Means Committee, serves as chair of the Education Subcommittee. In that role, Kaiser led the debate on major legislative initiatives for the Governor, the Speaker of the House and our school teachers. Additionally, Anne has other leadership responsibilities including chair of the County Affairs Committee for the Montgomery County Delegation and the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families. She also serves as a chief deputy whip.

Anne has been active in the community for 20 years, holding leadership positions as Chair of the Mid-County Citizens’ Advisory Board, Co-Coordinator of the Montgomery County Women's Fair and as an elected member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. She is a lifetime member of Tikvat Israel Congregation in Rockville.
Website: www.annekaiser.com

Craig Zucker
Craig Zucker, 35, is proud to be an independent minded Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in the 14th Legislative District.

Craig has spent more than 15 years in public service. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot. Prior to joining the Comptroller’s Office, Craig was Director of Maryland Home Care for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). While there, he helped to improve the lives of the more than 5,000 home health care workers throughout Maryland by securing their first wage increase since 1986.

He has been involved in many community and political organizations including the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, the Olney Theatre Center, Project Change (Olney) and the Board of Governors for the Chelsea School. Craig also served on the Mid-County Recreation Advisory Board and as a member of the Carl M. Freeman F.A.C.E.S. Advisory Board. Craig currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Manna Food Center.

Craig earned his undergraduate Degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College and his Masters Degree in Government from the Johns Hopkins University. He lives in Brookeville with his wife Jenny, and his son Benjamin.
Website: www.craigzucker.com

By Auth: Friends of Rona Kramer, Douglas E. Metz, Treasurer
By Auth: Kaiser for Delegate, Alison Praisner Klumpp Chair; Marian Kaiser, Treasurer
By Auth: Friends of Craig Zucker, Warren Fleming Chair; Jennifer Zucker, Treasurer