Senator Shelly Hettleman represents Maryland's District 11 in the Maryland State Senate, where she has served since February 3, 2020, after being appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to succeed a vacancy. Born August 26, 1964, in Houston, Texas, she previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates for District 11 from 2015 to 2020. She is married with two children and is Jewish.

Notable achievements include serving as campaign manager for Sen. Ben Cardin's 2012 re-election, co-leading the Maryland Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign, and acting as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Key legislative accomplishments encompass expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization to single women, aiding small businesses during COVID-19, reforming police policies for sexual assault survivors, creating an independent Inspector General for the Department of Health, and enhancing consumer protections for older adults. She has received awards such as the Legislative Award from the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and the Cornerstone Award from the Maryland Association of Youth Service Bureaus . Current leadership roles include Chair of the Rules Committee, Senate Chair of the Baltimore County Delegation , and Chair of the Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BA in Political Science, Northwestern University .
• Early Career: Founding director of a domestic violence program; financial resource development for a local non-profit; Legislative Assistant to then-Congressman Ben Cardin; staff on Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s first U.S. Senate campaign; Director of Government Relations/Board Member, Baltimore Jewish Council ; Board of Directors, Chizuk Amuno Congregation .
• *House of Delegates *: Appropriations Committee ; House Chair, Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee ; Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness; Study Group on Economic Stability.
• *Senate *: Budget and Taxation Committee; Rules Committee ; Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee ; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families; Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area ; Judicial Proceedings Committee ; Senate Chair, Baltimore County Delegation ; Women Legislators of Maryland; Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus; numerous task forces including those on elder abuse, sexual assault evidence kits, and home detention monitoring.