Ben Brooks

Benjamin Thomas Brooks Sr. is a Democratic politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing District 10, which encompasses parts of Baltimore County. He has held this position since January 2023, after previously serving in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2023. Brooks has a background in accounting and has been involved in various political and community initiatives throughout his career.

Early life and career

Benjamin Thomas Brooks Sr. was born on April 23, 1950, in Sumter, South Carolina. He is the fourth child and first son of Thomas Brooks Jr. and Hester Louise Lane Brooks. Brooks completed his secondary education at Ebenezer High School before enlisting in the United States Army, where he served from 1969 to 1972. During his military service, he worked as a telephone repairman and received several commendations, including the Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

After his military service, Brooks pursued higher education at South Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1976. Following his graduation, he began his professional career as an accountant for Seagram. He worked in various capacities, starting as a junior accountant from 1976 to 1978 and later serving as a cost accountant until 1987. In 1987, Brooks established his own tax service company, B & R Brooks Professional Tax Service, and later founded Brooks Family Investments Inc. in 2004.

Brooks's entry into politics began in 2010 when he was elected to the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee. He was appointed by Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz as the chair of the county's liquor board in December 2010, a position he held until 2013. This early involvement in local governance laid the groundwork for his subsequent political career.

Legislative service

Brooks's legislative career commenced when he ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014, successfully winning the Democratic primary alongside Jay Jalisi and incumbent Adrienne A. Jones. He was sworn into the House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. Throughout his tenure in the House, Brooks was a member of the Economic Matters Committee, where he served for the entirety of his time in office. He also held the position of chair of the committee's public utilities subcommittee from 2019 to 2023 and was appointed deputy majority whip from 2017 to 2023.

In 2019, Brooks expressed interest in running for the office of Treasurer of Maryland, challenging the incumbent Nancy Kopp. However, he missed the filing deadline for the election. Despite this setback, he received a small number of votes in the treasurer election, indicating a continued interest in state-level financial oversight.

In 2022, Brooks announced his candidacy for the Maryland Senate in District 10, aiming to succeed the retiring state Senator Delores G. Kelley. He received Kelley’s endorsement and ran on a slate with other candidates, including Adrienne Jones, N. Scott Phillips, and Jennifer White. Brooks faced off against colleague Jay Jalisi in the Democratic primary, ultimately winning with a plurality of the votes. He was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 11, 2023, and has since been a member of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.

In addition to his committee work, Brooks is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Maryland Veterans Caucus. He was also a delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, where he pledged his support for Hillary Clinton.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Brooks has focused on a variety of policy issues, reflecting the needs and interests of his constituents in District 10. His work has included initiatives related to energy, the environment, housing, immigration, policing, and redistricting.

In the area of energy, Brooks introduced legislation during the 2020 legislative session aimed at establishing timelines for Maryland's remaining coal-fired power plants to transition away from coal. This bill sought to create a transition fund to support employees affected by the shift. Although the bill was withdrawn following a deal with AES Corporation to cease coal operations at the Warrior Run Generating Station by 2030, it highlighted Brooks's commitment to energy reform.

Brooks has also been active in environmental policy. In the 2023 legislative session, he introduced a bill to create the Maryland Native Plants Program, which encourages garden centers to promote the planting of native vegetation. This legislation passed and was signed into law, demonstrating his focus on sustainable environmental practices.

Housing affordability has been another significant area of concern for Brooks. He introduced the Building Affordably in My Backyard Act during the 2026 legislative session, which aims to streamline the approval process for residential development projects in areas facing a shortage of affordable housing. This initiative reflects his commitment to addressing housing challenges within his district.

On immigration, Brooks took a stance in November 2015 by signing a letter urging Governor Larry Hogan to allow Syrian refugees to settle in Maryland, advocating for a welcoming approach to those fleeing conflict.

Brooks has also expressed his views on policing and public safety. In November 2020, he supported stricter regulations on police practices and participated in a simulated police training exercise to better understand the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. However, he maintained his stance on the need for policing reforms.

In terms of redistricting, Brooks has been involved in legal actions regarding Baltimore County's redistricting plan, advocating for the creation of minority opportunity districts. He has also voiced opposition to mid-decade redistricting efforts aimed at improving Democratic representation in congressional districts.

In his personal life, Brooks is married to Irene Theresa, and they have three adult children. He is an active member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Windsor Mill, Maryland. His contributions to his community and state have been recognized, including a medallion awarded to him during a visit to his hometown, where December 15, 2024, was declared Senator Benjamin T. Brooks Sr. Day.