Ron Watson

Ronald L. Watson was born on April 30, 1966, and is an American politician representing Maryland State Senate District 23, which covers cities including Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Mitchellville, and South Laurel in Prince George's County. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Watson has been a member of the Maryland Senate since August 31, 2021, when he was appointed to fill the remainder of a vacated term. He was unanimously nominated by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee and subsequently elected to a full four-year term in 2022.

Prior to his Senate service, Watson represented District 23B in the Maryland House of Delegates from January 2019 to August 2021. Before entering state-level politics, he served on the Prince George's County Board of Education from 2006 to 2010, where he held the position of vice-chair.

Watson is actively involved in community organizations, including membership in the American Legion, the NAACP, and various professional boards such as the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the Bowie State University Foundation. He is married with three children and one grandchild.

Education

Watson holds advanced degrees in multiple fields:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Morgan State University
• Master's degree in Advanced Technology from Binghamton University
• MBA from George Washington University
• Doctorate in Systems Science from Binghamton University

Political Experience

Watson's legislative experience includes:

• Vice-Chair of the Prince George's County Delegation
• Member of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
• Member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland
• Member of the Maryland Veterans Caucus
• Participation in the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology

During the 2023 legislative session, Watson introduced significant legislation including a bill to create a statewide referendum on legalizing online gambling and another to allow municipalities to establish police accountability boards. He has also supported measures to increase sentences for illegal gun possession and supported efforts to locate a new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Prince George's County.