Baltimore, MD - June 4, 2018 - The opaque, vitriolic, unstable and untrusted political environment both frightens us and inspires us. The era of Trump suggests to us that success requires a marriage of innovative perspectives and proven experience. In Baltimore County Jon Cardin served our community as delegate from 2003-2014. He defended constitutional rights and championed important causes to build a thriving, safe and empowered Maryland. This included legislation to bring new business and jobs to our state and to protect our environment. He furthermore, promoted policies to protect women and families and combat cyberbullying, and varied threats to our youth. In fact, it’s these exact issues, including his former chairmanship of the election law integrity subcommittee that have taken on new meaning in this polarizing and complex political environment.
The culture of complacency towards violence is at a watershed moment with #MeToo and #EnoughIsEnough, and leaders that incorporate this agenda will command the next generation. In Jon’s last legislative session alone, he facilitated passage of Breanna’s Law, ‘Good Samaritan’ drug policy reform, anti-patent troll and anti-cyber bullying legislation and criminalization of certain online harassment. Furthermore, in 2013, Jon introduced legislation to close the loophole in Maryland’s handgun laws that previously allowed handgun buyers to obtain a weapon before background check completion. One of his proudest moments came with his proposal to dedicate tax revenues collected from firearms and ammunition sales to mental health initiatives run by the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Why this kind of action cannot be done in Washington in response to the Parkland tragedy, we don’t know. Yet, despite the power of the N.R.A., Jon fought to overcome differences and pass meaningful legislation to help protect us from the horrors of gun violence.
And gun policy is only one of the many issues that need champions like Jon. Others might be getting dirty money out of politics and protecting consumers, businesses, women and minorities from predatory business practices. All citizens deserve access to justice and a devotion to their issues. Policy expertise, legal background, and passion are needed ingredients to make lasting positive change. With a Juris Doctor from University of Maryland, 17 years leading a law practice, a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration and a second Masters in Jewish Communal Service, Jon has the education, specialized experience, strategic planning and managerial skills to reignite confidence in our political systems and provide positive results for citizens and businesses alike. As an innovative and legal-minded three-term legislator and government affairs consultant, his record and leadership positions are clear.
In 2014, despite his best efforts, Jon lost his bid for Attorney General. However, what he gained was a new, humbling perspective on politics. He thought balancing the needs of constituents and family, and focusing on a campaign built around data-driven policy not personal attacks, would help realize our potential. Jon ignored the abusive narratives and vicious and unsubstantiated comments from his detractors rather than addressing them head-on, but at the end of the day, despite strong support from tens of thousands of Marylanders, his strategy did not prevail. We know that spending days serving all of Maryland families in Annapolis, and then returning to family and medical responsibilities at home is a hard but necessary choice. Jon owns his past decisions, they help define who he is, and we firmly believe that being a good politician and good person are not mutually exclusive.
The important new chapter in Jon’s life, marked by rediscovery of what's most important, has allowed him to spend unprecedented quality time with his two beautiful girls, wife and puppy. He has found new passions, built a public affairs firm with a trusted colleague and gained professional fulfillment in his law practice. Yet, it is clear that he misses serving us and leading the charge for a stronger, safer Baltimore County. We are deeply concerned about the trajectory of our civil liberties, women’s rights, the vulnerability of the disenfranchised, our economic vitality, youth safety online, the environment and election security. We think Jon will respond to our community needs with dedication, transparency and honesty.
Former Delegates Richard Rynd, Theodore “Teddy” Levin and Leon Ablin together served in the Maryland General Assembly for the 11th District of Baltimore County for more than 25 years
