Ben Kramer

Benjamin F. Kramer is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing District 19. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held this position since 2019, following a decade-long tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2019. Kramer's legislative career has been marked by a focus on various policy areas, including education, environmental issues, and support for Israel.

Early life and career

Ben Kramer was born on March 5, 1957, in Wheaton, Maryland. He is the son of Sidney Kramer, a former state senator and Montgomery County Executive, and Betty Mae. Growing up in a politically active family, Kramer was one of three children, with his sister Rona also entering public service as a state senator and later serving as Maryland's Secretary of Aging from 2015 to 2023. Kramer's early education took place in Montgomery County public schools, culminating in his graduation from John F. Kennedy High School. He furthered his education at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in law enforcement in 1979.

In addition to his political career, Kramer is a businessman, owning the Wheaton Speedy Car Wash and a real estate business. His community involvement includes participation in the Montgomery County Liquor Control Task Force and the Montgomery County Police Department Citizens Advisory Board. Kramer's initial foray into politics came in 1994 when he ran for a seat on the Montgomery County Council, although he was unsuccessful in that bid against the incumbent Republican councilwoman Nancy Dacek. He attempted to secure an at-large seat on the council in 1998 but was defeated in the Democratic primary, finishing seventh in a crowded field.

Legislative service

Kramer's legislative career began in earnest when he ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 19 in 2006. He succeeded in the Democratic primary, securing third place with approximately 14 percent of the vote, which allowed him to edge out his opponent by a narrow margin. He was sworn into office on January 10, 2007. During his time in the House of Delegates, Kramer served on the Judiciary Committee from 2007 to 2010, after which he transitioned to the Economic Matters Committee for the remainder of his tenure.

In 2009, Kramer sought a seat on the Montgomery County Council in a special election for District 4 but was defeated by Nancy Navarro. Following the announcement by state Senator Roger Manno in 2017 that he would run for Congress, Kramer declared his candidacy for the Maryland Senate to succeed Manno. He ran unopposed in the primary and subsequently won the general election against a Green Party candidate, taking office on January 9, 2019. Since his election to the Senate, Kramer has been a member of the Finance Committee.

Kramer's legislative actions have occasionally drawn attention. In March 2026, during a committee hearing, he made comments regarding the physical appearance of Maryland's first lady, which were later criticized as inappropriate. While he defended his remarks as intended humor, Senate President Bill Ferguson condemned them, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics reviewed the situation.

Policy focus and district

Kramer has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat, often described as more pro-business than many of his Democratic colleagues. His policy initiatives span several areas, with a notable focus on education, environmental issues, and support for Israel.

In the realm of education, Kramer has advocated for state funding for private schools and has been active in promoting Holocaust education. He introduced a bill during the 2019 legislative session aimed at expanding Holocaust instruction in schools. Although the bill did not advance, he subsequently engaged with the Maryland Department of Education to enhance requirements for Holocaust education, leading to mandated lessons in fourth and fifth grades. In 2023, he reintroduced the Holocaust education bill alongside another initiative to allocate funds for school field trips to museums focused on Holocaust and African American history.

Kramer's environmental policy initiatives have included legislation aimed at addressing climate change and pollution. He expressed concerns about the financial implications of a bill promoting wind energy development in Maryland but ultimately supported it when it was reintroduced. He has also introduced legislation targeting upstream pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, proposing economic sanctions on Pennsylvania for failing to meet environmental cleanup goals. In 2020, he introduced a bill to impose a carbon tax on corporate polluters, which he reintroduced in 2021, although it did not pass. His commitment to climate issues is further reflected in his efforts to require the Maryland Public Service Commission to consider climate change in its reviews of new generating facilities and to mandate that counties develop climate change mitigation plans.

Kramer's support for Israel is a significant aspect of his political identity. He identifies as a Zionist and has publicly criticized the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, labeling it as antisemitic. In 2013, he urged the Maryland governor to prevent state funding from supporting organizations that endorsed the BDS movement. During the 2014 legislative session, he sought to impose financial penalties on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for its association with the American Studies Association, which had endorsed a boycott of Israel. The legislature instead passed a resolution condemning the BDS movement, marking Maryland as the first state to do so.

Kramer continues to serve as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing District 19, where he remains engaged in legislative activities and community issues. His career reflects a blend of business experience and public service, shaped by a family legacy in politics and a commitment to various policy areas.