Alonzo Washington

Alonzo Washington is a Democratic politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing District 22, which encompasses parts of Prince George's County. He was appointed to the Senate in 2023 after previously serving in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2012 to 2023. Washington's political career has been marked by his commitment to community service and legislative initiatives aimed at improving education, public safety, and social equity.

Early life and career

Alonzo Washington was born on September 2, 1983, in Washington, D.C. He was raised by his mother, Elizabeth Washington, alongside his five siblings. During his childhood, Washington experienced significant challenges, including a period of homelessness when he and his family resided in a shelter in College Park, Maryland. Despite these difficulties, he excelled academically and participated in athletics, graduating from Laurel High School in Laurel, Maryland, where he was a member of both the track and football teams.

Following high school, Washington pursued higher education at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was able to attend college with support from the First Generation College Bound nonprofit organization, which assists first-generation college students. Washington earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2007. While at university, he continued to be active in athletics, playing football during his freshman year, and he became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Notably, he is the first member of his family to graduate from both high school and college.

After completing his education, Washington began his professional career as a paralegal for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2008, he transitioned to local government, joining the Prince George's County Council as a community liaison and later serving as chief of staff to councilmember William A. Campos. His early involvement in politics began in 2005 when he became a member of the Prince George's County Young Democrats association. Washington's political engagement deepened as he served on the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee from 2010 to 2014, holding the position of secretary from 2012 to 2014. He has also been a member of the Roosevelt Democratic Club since 2012.

Washington's entry into the Maryland House of Delegates came after the resignation of Delegate Justin D. Ross. The Prince George's County Democratic Committee recommended him to Governor Martin O'Malley, who appointed Washington to the vacant seat on December 4, 2012. He was sworn into the House of Delegates on December 19, 2012.

Legislative service

During his tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates, Washington was actively involved in various legislative committees and initiatives. He served as a member of the Ways and Means Committee from 2013 to 2023, where he held the position of vice-chair from 2020 to 2023. His committee work included participation in subcommittees focused on revenues and education, as well as the election law subcommittee, where he served as chair from 2017 to 2019.

Washington was also a member of several joint committees, including the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, and the Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds. His leadership roles extended to the Spending Affordability Committee and the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee during his time in the House.

In addition to his committee assignments, Washington held various leadership positions within the Prince George's County Delegation, serving as the first vice-chair from 2018 to 2023. He was also involved with the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, reflecting his commitment to representing diverse interests within the state.

Washington's political activities included participation as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He ran for a delegate position in 2016 and was an uncommitted delegate in the Democratic primary election. He was later pledged to Kamala Harris as a delegate for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

In 2020, Washington took a proactive role in addressing public safety issues by leading a task force appointed by Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The task force focused on reforming the county's police department and produced a comprehensive report with numerous recommendations, most of which were implemented.

In December 2022, following the nomination of State Senator Paul G. Pinsky to a new position, Washington filed to fill the vacancy in the Maryland Senate. He was nominated by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee and subsequently appointed to the Senate by Governor Wes Moore on January 27, 2023.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Alonzo Washington has focused on a range of policy issues, particularly in the areas of education, public safety, and electoral reform. His commitment to education is evident in his introduction of legislation aimed at enhancing access to college for low-income students. In 2015, he successfully passed a bill that created a college access pilot program, which became law and aimed to support students in achieving higher education.

Washington has also been an advocate for mental health awareness in schools. In the 2021 legislative session, he introduced a bill allowing students to take a day off for mental health reasons, which passed the House of Delegates with overwhelming support. Additionally, he introduced legislation to facilitate remote instruction for teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was initially vetoed but later overridden by the legislature.

In the realm of electoral reform, Washington introduced legislation in 2018 requiring social media companies to provide greater transparency regarding online political advertisements. This legislation was enacted but faced legal challenges from media outlets that argued it imposed unfair burdens on them.

Washington's district, District 22, is located in Prince George's County, an area known for its diverse population and vibrant communities. As a representative of this district, Washington has aimed to address the unique needs and concerns of his constituents, focusing on initiatives that promote equity, safety, and educational opportunities.

In December 2024, Washington announced his intention to run for Prince George's County Executive in the upcoming special election, signaling his continued commitment to public service and leadership within the community. His legislative career reflects a dedication to addressing the challenges faced by his constituents and advocating for policies that foster positive change in Maryland.