Jen Terrasa

Jennifer R. Terrasa is a Democratic politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 13th district. She has been in office since 2019 and has previously held a position on the Howard County Council from 2006 to 2018. Throughout her political career, Terrasa has focused on various issues, including environmental policy, healthcare, housing, and immigration.

Early life and career

Born on June 6, 1969, in New York City, Terrasa's family relocated to Columbia, Maryland, during her early childhood. She completed her secondary education at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia. Following high school, she pursued higher education at the University of Maryland at College Park, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1992. Subsequently, she attended the University of Baltimore School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1997, during which she contributed to the law review.

After completing her legal education, Terrasa began her career in the legal field as a law clerk. She served under Maryland Court of Appeals judge Howard S. Chasanow until 1998 and then under Howard County Circuit Court judge Lenore R. Gelfman until 1999. Following her clerkship, she worked as a family law hotline attorney for the Women's Law Center of Maryland from 2000 to 2006, providing legal assistance and support to individuals navigating family law issues.

In 1994, Terrasa moved to the Kings Contrivance neighborhood of Columbia, where she became actively involved in local governance. She was appointed to the Village Board of Kings Contrivance in December 2001, filling a vacancy left by a resigning member. After serving on the board for several years, she resigned in December 2005 to pursue a position on the Howard County Council. Terrasa successfully won the general election for the council, securing 62.0 percent of the vote, and began her tenure in local government.

During her time on the Howard County Council, Terrasa was recognized for her involvement in national politics, serving as a delegate for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She actively participated in campaign efforts for Obama in the lead-up to the Maryland Democratic presidential primary, engaging with constituents and fellow council members to promote the candidate.

Terrasa faced a competitive re-election campaign in 2010 against Republican candidate Dennis R. Schrader, ultimately winning with 67.1 percent of the vote. In January 2018, she announced her candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates, aiming to succeed delegate Frank Turner, who was retiring. With Turner's endorsement, Terrasa won the Democratic primary with 27.7 percent of the vote and subsequently triumphed in the general election with 27.1 percent, defeating Republican Chris Yates.

Legislative service

Terrasa was officially sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. Upon her entry into the legislature, she was appointed to the Appropriations Committee, where she participated in budgetary discussions and decisions. Later, she transitioned to the Environment and Transportation Committee, where she continued to advocate for policies related to environmental sustainability and infrastructure.

In addition to her committee work, Terrasa is a member of several caucuses, including the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, and the Women Legislators of Maryland. In February 2022, she was appointed by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones to co-lead the newly established Progressive Policy Forum within the House Democratic Caucus, reflecting her commitment to progressive legislative initiatives.

Terrasa was re-elected in 2022, continuing her legislative work in the Maryland House of Delegates. In December 2025, she announced her decision not to seek re-election for her current position, opting instead to run for the clerk of the Howard County Circuit Court in 2026, where she is running unopposed.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her legislative career, Terrasa has prioritized a range of policy issues that reflect her commitment to her constituents and the broader Maryland community. One of her notable initiatives includes advocating for public financing of political campaigns. In February 2016, she introduced legislation aimed at establishing a public financing system for candidates who reject large donations, a proposal that was reintroduced in 2017.

Terrasa has also been active in environmental advocacy. In March 2021, she joined the Leaders for Climate Accountability, a coalition of public officials dedicated to holding corporate polluters accountable for their role in the climate crisis. She introduced legislation that would empower the Attorney General of Maryland to take legal action against companies contributing to climate change through fraudulent practices, with the bill being reintroduced in the following legislative session.

In the realm of healthcare, Terrasa supports universal health care and has co-sponsored the Healthy Maryland Act of 2019, which aims to implement a single-payer healthcare system in the state. Her commitment to healthcare access reflects her broader focus on social equity and community well-being.

Housing affordability is another critical area of focus for Terrasa. In October 2015, she introduced legislation requiring that 15 percent of new housing units developed in downtown Columbia be affordable for families earning between 40 and 80 percent of the county's median income. Additionally, in 2018, she proposed a bill mandating that new residential constructions include infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations.

Terrasa has also taken a stance on immigration, introducing legislation to designate Howard County as a sanctuary jurisdiction following the election of President Donald Trump. Her support for progressive policies extends to the legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana and advocating for an independent redistricting commission to oversee the drawing of legislative and congressional district maps.

In her legislative work, Terrasa has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of her constituents in the 13th district, focusing on policies that promote environmental sustainability, healthcare access, housing affordability, and social justice. Her ongoing involvement in local and state governance reflects her dedication to public service and community engagement.