David Moon

David Moon is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 20th district in Montgomery County. He has been in office since 2015 and currently holds the position of Majority Leader, a role he assumed in 2023. Moon is recognized for his contributions to various legislative initiatives, particularly in the areas of criminal justice reform, environmental policy, gun control, and healthcare.

Early life and career

David Moon was born on January 28, 1979, in Takoma Park, Maryland, to Korean immigrant parents. He was raised in Montgomery County, where he attended Walt Whitman High School. Following his high school education, Moon pursued higher education at Tufts University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and psychology in 2001. He furthered his academic journey at the American University Washington College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 2004.

Before entering the political arena, Moon engaged in various roles within activist organizations. He served as the chief operating officer of FairVote from 2004 to 2009, an organization focused on electoral reform and voting rights. In 2011, he became the program director for Demand Progress, a group advocating for progressive causes and government accountability. His early political career also included serving as the campaign manager for notable political figures, including Jamie Raskin during his 2006 campaign for the Maryland Senate and Nancy Navarro in her 2009 campaign for the Montgomery County Council.

In 2010, Moon established his own consulting firm, Moon Strategies, which provided political consulting services. He also launched a political blog called Maryland Juice in 2011, which primarily focused on Maryland politics and served as a platform for discussing various political issues. In 2013, he co-authored a book titled "Hacking Politics," which explored the intersection of technology and political engagement.

Legislative service

David Moon's political career took a significant turn when he launched his campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2013. He sought to succeed Heather Mizeur and Tom Hucker, who were both pursuing other political offices. During the Democratic primary, Moon received endorsements from several prominent figures and organizations, including state senator Jamie Raskin and various local labor unions. He successfully won the Democratic primary in June 2014 and subsequently secured victory in the general election.

Moon was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015, marking a historic moment as he became one of the first two Korean-Americans elected to the Maryland General Assembly, alongside Mark S. Chang. Throughout his tenure, he has served on the Judiciary Committee, where he has been involved in various legislative discussions and debates. From 2021 to 2023, he held the position of vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, further solidifying his role in shaping legislative outcomes.

In May 2023, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones appointed Moon as the House Majority Leader, succeeding Marc Korman, who transitioned to chair the House Environment and Transportation Committee. In this leadership role, Moon is responsible for guiding the legislative agenda and facilitating discussions among members of the House.

In December 2016, following the election of Jamie Raskin to the United States House of Representatives, Moon expressed interest in filling Raskin's vacant Senate seat. His candidacy received support from various organizations, including the Service Employees International Union and CASA de Maryland. However, the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee ultimately nominated delegate William C. Smith Jr. to fill the vacancy.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, David Moon has focused on a range of policy issues that reflect the interests and concerns of his constituents in the 20th district. His work has particularly emphasized criminal justice reform, environmental protection, gun control, and healthcare access.

In the realm of criminal justice, Moon has been an advocate for police accountability and transparency. Following the high-profile death of Freddie Gray in 2016, he introduced legislation aimed at ensuring that law enforcement officers seek medical assistance for detainees who request it. Although he later withdrew the bill due to unproductive legislative debate, his commitment to criminal justice reform remained evident. He supported the Maryland Police Accountability Act in 2021, a comprehensive reform package aimed at enhancing police transparency. In 2022, he introduced legislation requiring all law enforcement agencies to implement body-worn cameras by 2025, and in 2023, he proposed a bill to prohibit the use of facial-recognition technology by the Maryland State Police.

Moon has also been active in environmental advocacy. In 2017, he led efforts to urge the Hogan administration to adopt stricter water pollution regulations for coal-fired power plants. He expressed his opposition to a proposed oil pipeline in Washington County in 2019, advocating for environmental protections. His commitment to energy efficiency was demonstrated in 2022 when he supported a proposed U.S. Energy Department rule aimed at increasing the efficiency of gas furnaces.

In the area of gun control, Moon introduced a bill during the 2018 legislative session to ban bump stocks, a measure that gained traction following the tragic Las Vegas shooting in 2017. The bill was successfully passed and signed into law, reflecting his commitment to addressing gun violence.

Healthcare access has also been a significant focus for Moon. In 2023, he introduced a bill to audit the state's behavioral health and drug treatment system, aiming to identify ways to enhance community-based preventative services. This legislation was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. Additionally, he supported a bill that would empower the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set upper price limits on prescription drugs, demonstrating his commitment to addressing healthcare costs and access.

David Moon's legislative service reflects a dedication to addressing the pressing issues facing his constituents and the broader Maryland community. His role as Majority Leader positions him to influence the legislative agenda and advocate for policies that align with the values and needs of the residents in his district.