Craig Zucker

Craig Jason Zucker is a Democratic state senator from Maryland's 14th District in Montgomery County, representing more than 130,000 residents. Born on March 23, 1975, Zucker began his public service career working in the U.S. Senate for Senators Barbara Boxer and Carl Levin, later serving as a Deputy District Director to a Maryland Congressman and as an assistant scheduler to a U.S. Senator.

Before entering electoral politics, Zucker served as Director of Maryland Home Care for an association, where he helped secure the first wage increase in nearly two decades for more than 5,000 home healthcare workers throughout Maryland. He also served as vice-chair of the Mid-County Recreation Advisory Board and as deputy chief of staff to Comptroller Peter Franchot.

Political Experience

Zucker first ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002 but placed fourth in the Democratic primary with 12.3 percent of the vote. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 and was sworn in on January 12, 2011, serving until 2016. During his time in the House, he served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and chaired the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee, where he helped review a $40 billion budget and protected funding for developmental disabilities services, healthcare coverage for low-income pregnant women, and substance abuse counseling. From 2015 to 2016, he served as House chair of the Joint Audit Committee.

Following the resignation of state senator Karen S. Montgomery in December 2015, Zucker was nominated by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee to fill the seat and was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. He was sworn into the Maryland State Senate on February 4, 2016.

In 2018, Zucker was elected to the Maryland State Senate. In 2020, he became Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus after serving as Deputy Majority Leader. He currently serves on the Budget and Taxation Committee and as chair of the Capital Budget Subcommittee, overseeing $2 billion in state funding. He also serves on the Executive Nominations Committee.

Notable Achievements

Over his tenure, Zucker has championed groundbreaking legislation including laws that protect minors from identity theft, assist homeowners facing foreclosure, and initiated the first steps toward upgrading Maryland's 911 system. He sponsored legislation providing opportunities for thousands of students with developmental disabilities to attend college and passed laws providing services to more than 1,200 children with autism and vital support to Marylanders with disabilities on waiting lists.

Through his role on the Capital Budget Subcommittee, Zucker has helped deliver billions of dollars in additional funding to Montgomery County, with significant investments in District 14 schools, parks, senior centers, and local arts and cultural landmarks.

Zucker has received numerous awards and recognition, including the Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award from The Arc of Maryland , Legislative Achievement of the Year from the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, and recognition as a Legislative Champion from the Maryland Association of Community Services and Women Legislators of Maryland.