Jessica Feldmark

Jessica Feldmark is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 12A. She has been serving in this capacity since January 2019 and has held various leadership roles within the legislature. Feldmark has focused on a range of policy issues, including electoral reform, government assistance during shutdowns, and social issues. She has also announced her candidacy for Howard County Executive for the 2026 election, although she later opted to seek re-election to the House of Delegates due to personal health challenges.

Early life and career

Jessica Feldmark was born on August 1, 1974. She pursued higher education at Goucher College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and international relations. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended American University, obtaining a Master of Science degree in organization development. In 1998, Feldmark relocated to Columbia, Maryland, where she began her involvement in local governance.

Her political career commenced in 2000 when she was elected to the Wilde Lake Village Board. She served in this role until November 2002, when she resigned to take on the position of special assistant to Kenneth Ulman, who was elected to the Howard County Council. Feldmark's career continued to evolve as she transitioned to the executive office following Ulman's election as Howard County Executive in 2006. Initially serving as a senior advisor, she was promoted to chief of staff in 2009, a position she held until 2014.

In 2014, following the election of Allan Kittleman as Howard County Executive, Feldmark was released from her role to make way for the new administration. Shortly after her departure, she was appointed as the administrator for the Howard County Council, succeeding Sheila Tolliver. This position allowed her to continue her engagement in local government and community issues.

Feldmark's political aspirations led her to file for candidacy in the Maryland House of Delegates in February 2018. She participated in the Democratic primary election, where she finished third, securing 21.4 percent of the vote. In the general election, she placed second with 21.9 percent of the vote, which ultimately led to her election to the House of Delegates.

Legislative service

Jessica Feldmark was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. Since her election, she has been an active member of the Ways and Means Committee, where she has served as vice chair since December 2025. Her involvement in this committee has allowed her to influence legislation related to education, taxation, and other critical areas of public policy.

In addition to her role on the Ways and Means Committee, Feldmark is a member of several legislative groups, including the Howard County Delegation, where she has served as chair during multiple terms. She is also a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, and the Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus. These affiliations reflect her commitment to representing diverse interests and fostering collaboration among legislators.

In January 2020, Feldmark expressed her support for Elizabeth Warren by filing to run as a convention delegate for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. This move highlighted her engagement with national political movements and her alignment with progressive policies.

On June 10, 2025, Feldmark announced her intention to run for Howard County Executive in the 2026 election. Her campaign focused on increasing funding for education and promoting job creation within the county. However, in December 2025, she withdrew from the executive race due to a breast cancer diagnosis and decided to seek re-election to the House of Delegates instead.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her legislative career, Jessica Feldmark has prioritized various policy areas, including electoral reform, government assistance during federal shutdowns, and social issues. During the 2020 legislative session, she introduced a bill aimed at expanding Maryland's public financing program to include candidates beyond the governor in statewide elections. This initiative reflects her commitment to enhancing the democratic process and ensuring equitable access to campaign resources.

In the following legislative session, Feldmark continued her focus on electoral integrity by introducing legislation to implement universal ballot marking devices. This legislation aimed to ensure that ballots cast by voters with disabilities would not be segregated from those cast by other voters, promoting inclusivity in the electoral process. Additionally, she sought to codify a temporary policy adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which required local election boards to accept absentee ballots from voters who submitted both absentee and provisional ballots.

Feldmark's legislative efforts also addressed the impacts of government shutdowns. In the 2019 session, she introduced a bill that provided temporary assistance to essential government employees during future federal government shutdowns. This legislation was signed into law by the governor, demonstrating her responsiveness to the needs of constituents affected by federal policies.

On social issues, Feldmark has been an advocate for educational equity. In July 2020, she joined with other legislators in urging the Baltimore County Board of Education to prohibit the display of hate symbols in schools, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and inclusive educational environments.

In the realm of taxation, Feldmark introduced a bill during the 2021 legislative session aimed at reforming the state's Job Creation Tax Credit program. The proposed changes would require new positions qualifying for the credit to offer local prevailing wages, career advancement opportunities, paid leave, and collective bargaining rights. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature successfully voted to override the veto, illustrating her commitment to labor rights and economic justice.

Feldmark's personal life includes her marriage to Joshua Feldmark, who previously served as the director of community sustainability for the Howard County government. She is also identified as Jewish, reflecting her cultural background and community ties. Through her legislative work and community engagement, Feldmark continues to play a significant role in Maryland politics, advocating for policies that align with her values and the needs of her constituents.