Justin Ready

Justin Ready is a Republican politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing District 5, which encompasses parts of Carroll County. He has been in office since 2015, following a prior tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2011 to 2015. Ready has been active in Maryland politics for several years and has held various roles within the state government and the Republican Party.

Early life and career

Justin Ready was born on April 15, 1982, in Mobile, Alabama. His family relocated to Westminster, Maryland, when he was 11 years old, after spending some time in Mississippi. Ready's education began at Littlestown Christian Academy, where he demonstrated academic excellence by making the honor roll at the age of 13. He graduated from Carroll Community College in 2002 and continued his studies at Salisbury University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2004.

Ready's interest in politics developed early in his life. After completing his degree, he began his political career as a field director for state senator E. J. Pipkin's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2004. Following this role, he served as a legislative aide to state delegate J. B. Jennings from 2004 to 2006. He then became the chief of staff for state senator Janet Greenip, further solidifying his experience in Maryland's political landscape.

In April 2008, Ready was appointed as the executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, a position he held until July 2009. His tenure was marked by controversy, as he was dismissed by party chairman James Pelura for unspecified personnel reasons. This decision ultimately contributed to Pelura's removal as chairman. After a brief hiatus, Ready returned to the party's leadership as an interim executive director from July to December 2011. Additionally, in 2008, he ran unsuccessfully for delegate to the Republican National Convention, pledging his support to Mike Huckabee.

Legislative service

Ready's formal entry into elected office began with his campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 5A, which he announced on January 5, 2010. He successfully won the Republican primary, securing the highest percentage of votes among candidates. In the general election, he defeated Democratic challengers Francis X. Walsh and Sharon L. Baker, alongside incumbent Nancy R. Stocksdale. Ready was sworn into office on January 12, 2011, and served on the Health and Government Operations Committee during his time in the House.

In 2014, Ready sought re-election for a second term. He was also involved in Larry Hogan's Change Maryland organization and participated in Hogan's transition team after Hogan's victory in the 2014 gubernatorial election. Additionally, in 2011, he co-chaired Rick Perry's presidential campaign in Maryland and ran for delegate to the Republican National Convention, where he received a small percentage of the vote.

Ready's transition to the Maryland Senate occurred in January 2015, following the resignation of state senator Joseph M. Getty. The Carroll County Republican Central Committee nominated Ready, along with two other candidates, to fill the vacancy. Governor Larry Hogan appointed him to the Senate on February 2, 2015, the same day he was sworn in. In 2018, Ready was elected to a full four-year term in the Senate.

During his time in the Maryland Senate, Ready served on the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 2015 to 2021 and subsequently on the Finance Committee. In October 2021, he was elected as the Senate minority whip, a leadership position within the Republican caucus. Throughout his political career, Ready has been involved in various campaign activities, including organizing for Ted Cruz during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. He publicly supported Donald Trump's candidacy in the 2016 election, viewing it as a significant shift in American politics.

Policy focus and district

Ready's legislative focus has included a range of issues, particularly concerning crime and public safety. He has consistently advocated for increased penalties for violent crimes, particularly those involving firearms. He has expressed concerns regarding crime rates in Baltimore, describing the situation as destabilizing for the region. Ready has also been skeptical of the effectiveness of gun control measures in reducing violent crime.

In the 2015 legislative session, he introduced a bill aimed at increasing penalties for human trafficking, although it was withdrawn after receiving pushback from activists who felt the bill's definitions were overly broad. In 2019, he sponsored "Laura and Reid's Law," which sought to impose harsher penalties for the murder of pregnant women, a response to a high-profile case in Maryland. This legislation was successfully passed and signed into law by Governor Hogan.

Ready's legislative actions have also included measures related to juvenile crime. In 2023, he voiced opposition to Governor Wes Moore's appointment of Vincent Schiraldi as Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services, citing concerns about the state's rising juvenile crime rates. During debates on legislation concerning the automatic charging of youth as adults for certain crimes, Ready proposed amendments aimed at ensuring that youth charged with firearm-related offenses would be tried in adult court. These amendments were ultimately rejected in votes that largely fell along party lines.

In terms of education policy, Ready defended Governor Hogan's decision to withhold funding from certain educational initiatives, arguing for fiscal responsibility in state budgeting. Throughout his career, he has maintained a conservative stance on various issues, as evidenced by his membership in the Tea Party caucus during his time in the House of Delegates. His legislative performance has been evaluated by organizations such as the American Conservative Union, which awarded him a notable score on their annual legislative scorecard.

Ready continues to serve as a significant figure in Maryland politics, representing the interests of his constituents in District 5 while engaging in broader discussions about state policy and governance.