Senator Ben Kramer

Benjamin F. Kramer is a Democratic state senator representing District 19 in Montgomery County, Maryland. Born on March 5, 1957, he is the son of former County Executive Sidney Kramer and the brother of former State Senator Rona Kramer. His district runs through the heart of Montgomery County.

Kramer brings over 35 years of experience as a small business owner and operator, which has informed his legislative work on economic and commercial matters throughout his tenure in office.

Political Experience

Kramer was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 and served for 12 years until his election to the Maryland State Senate in 2018. He took office in the Senate on January 9, 2019.

House of Delegates

During his time in the House, Kramer served on the Judiciary Committee during his first term and later the Economic Matters Committee. He chaired the Banking, Economic Development, Science, and Technology Subcommittee from 2015 to 2019 and served on multiple joint committees addressing cybersecurity, mental health access, and economic development.

Maryland State Senate

In the Senate, Kramer serves as Majority Leader and holds membership on the Finance Committee and Protocol Committee. He chairs the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight and has chaired the Montgomery County Delegation since 2021. He also serves on the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee and various task forces related to energy transition and cannabis policy.

Notable Achievements

Kramer has sponsored significant legislation including the Educate to Stop the Hate Act, which requires anti-hate and Holocaust education standards in Maryland schools. He has championed consumer protection measures, energy efficiency improvements, and funding for public education through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Additional accomplishments include legislation protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke and creating smoke-free parks and recreation facilities in Montgomery County.

He participates actively in the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, Veterans Caucus, and Jewish Caucus.