Lorig Charkoudian

Lorig Charkoudian is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 20 since 2019. Born on February 14, 1973, in Boston, Massachusetts, she has built a career focused on community service, economic policy, and advocacy for social justice issues. Charkoudian has a strong academic background in economics and has been actively involved in various local organizations and initiatives aimed at improving community welfare.

Early life and career

Lorig Charkoudian was born to Bethel and Levon Charkoudian, both of whom were civil rights activists of Armenian descent. Her family's history includes the experiences of two grandparents who survived the Armenian genocide, which has influenced her commitment to social justice and advocacy. Charkoudian completed her primary and secondary education in the public school system of Newton, Massachusetts. She pursued higher education at Pomona College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematical economics in 1995. Following her undergraduate studies, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to attend Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in economics in 2002.

Charkoudian's professional journey began in the realm of community service. Since 2004, she has served as the executive director of Community Mediation Maryland, an organization dedicated to providing mediation services to help resolve conflicts within communities. Her leadership role has allowed her to engage with various local issues and advocate for mediation as a tool for conflict resolution. In addition to her work with Community Mediation Maryland, Charkoudian has held positions on the boards of several local organizations, including the Takoma Park Silver Spring Food Co-op and the Crossroads Community Food Network. These roles have further solidified her commitment to community engagement and support for local initiatives.

Charkoudian's political involvement began to take shape through her participation in advocacy efforts. In 2004, she became involved in a campaign to encourage Starbucks to allow mothers to breastfeed openly in their stores. She has also been active in protests addressing issues such as the death penalty, nuclear weapons, and the Iraq War, demonstrating her commitment to various social causes. In 2011, she made her first foray into electoral politics by running for a seat on the Takoma Park City Council. Although she was not successful in that election, losing by a narrow margin, her experience laid the groundwork for her future political endeavors.

Legislative service

Charkoudian's entry into the Maryland House of Delegates came after a vacancy arose in December 2016 when Delegate William C. Smith Jr. was appointed to the Maryland Senate. Charkoudian applied to fill the vacancy but was not selected. However, she remained engaged in the political landscape and, in 2018, she ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 20. She campaigned alongside other Democratic candidates and placed third in the primary election, securing a position on the general election ballot where she ran unopposed. Charkoudian was sworn into office on January 9, 2019, marking the beginning of her legislative career.

As a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Charkoudian serves on the Economic Matters Committee, where she has been involved in various legislative initiatives since her election. In December 2025, she was appointed vice chair of the committee, which plays a crucial role in shaping economic policy and addressing issues related to commerce, labor, and energy. Throughout her tenure, Charkoudian has been an advocate for progressive policies and has worked on a range of issues, including environmental sustainability, healthcare access, and economic justice.

Charkoudian's political activities extend beyond her legislative duties. During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, she ran to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledging her support to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. In the general election, she actively campaigned for Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Pennsylvania. She has also sought to serve as a delegate for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, this time pledging support for Biden, although her application was not accepted by the Maryland Democratic Party.

Policy focus and district

Charkoudian has focused her legislative efforts on several key areas, including environmental policy, healthcare reform, and economic justice. Her commitment to environmental issues is evident in her legislative initiatives aimed at promoting clean energy and sustainability. In 2019, she urged the state's 529 college savings plan board to consider offering ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment options. During the 2020 legislative session, she supported a carbon tax to fund clean energy projects and introduced legislation allowing counties to negotiate energy purchasing. Her advocacy for electrification in rental units led to the passage of a bill in 2023, which was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.

Charkoudian has also been active in promoting renewable energy sources. She introduced legislation requiring the Maryland Public Service Commission to consider climate change impacts when reviewing energy facility applications. Additionally, she has advocated for the inclusion of geothermal energy in the state's energy portfolio and has worked on initiatives to divert food waste from landfills. Her support for offshore wind energy projects has led to the introduction of the POWER Act, which aims to increase Maryland's wind power generation goals.

In the realm of healthcare, Charkoudian has introduced measures aimed at protecting patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices. Her legislation requires hospitals to demonstrate a good faith effort to negotiate payment plans with patients before pursuing legal action for unpaid debts. This focus on healthcare access and affordability reflects her broader commitment to social justice and economic equity.

Charkoudian represents District 20, which encompasses parts of Montgomery County, Maryland. The district is characterized by its diverse population and vibrant community organizations. As a legislator, Charkoudian has sought to address the unique needs of her constituents while advocating for policies that promote equity and sustainability across the state. Her ongoing work in the Maryland House of Delegates continues to reflect her dedication to public service and her commitment to the values she has championed throughout her career.