Bonnie Cullison
Bonnie Cullison | |
---|---|
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 19th district | |
Assumed office January 12, 2011 Serving with Vaughn Stewart, Charlotte Crutchfield | |
Preceded by | Henry B. Heller |
Personal details | |
Born | Bonita Lynne Cullison March 24, 1954 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Marcia Massey (m. 2013) |
Education | University of Maryland, College Park (BA, MA) |
Website | Official website |
Bonita Lynne Cullison (born March 24, 1954) is an American teacher, labor official, and politician who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in District 19 since 2011.
Background
Cullison was born in Baltimore on March 24, 1954. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her bachelor's and masters degrees in speech pathology in 1976 and 1978.[1]
After graduating, Cullison worked as a speech language pathologist for St. Mary's County Public Schools from 1978 to 1981, afterwards working as a special education teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools until 2000.[2] She continued to work in various local education organizations and has worked as a field liaison for the National Education Association since 2010.[1]
From 2003 to 2009, Cullison was the chief of the Montgomery County teachers' union.[1] While seeking to be elected to the policy-setting executive committee of the National Education Association, Cullison raised money to pay for her campaign's travel, mailings, and other costs. She asked for contributions from Maryland state legislators, many of whom had previously been endorsed by the teachers' union. The Attorney General of Maryland determined that political campaigns cannot fund a national union's internal election, and the Maryland State Board of Elections ordered Cullison to refund the several thousand dollars she'd raised from state legislators, and she did so. Cullison was not elected to the position at the National Education Association.[3]
Cullison served as the chair of the Committee for Montgomery, a coalition of business and community leaders in Montgomery County advocating for Montgomery County's interests in the Maryland General Assembly, from 2006 to 2007.[4]
In the legislature
Cullison was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011. She has served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee since 2011, and its vice chair since 2023. She has also served as a member of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee since 2023. Cullison served as deputy majority whip from 2013 to 2018, and as deputy speaker pro tempore from 2020 to 2023.[1]
In August 2017, after state senator Roger Manno announced that he would run for Congress in Maryland's 6th congressional district in 2018, Cullison expressed interest in running for Manno's seat in the Maryland Senate.[5] She ultimately decided against running, instead running for re-election and backing Benjamin F. Kramer in the Senate election.[6]
Personal life
Cullison is openly lesbian.[7] She is married to her wife, Marcia Massey,[8] who was her partner of 29 years up until Maryland legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.[9] Together, they live in Aspen Hill, Maryland.[10]
Political positions
Education
In 2013, Cullison voted against a bill that would give Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker more control over the county's school system, including the ability to appoint its superintendent.[11]
In August 2019, Cullison signed onto a letter calling for the Maryland State Department of Education to add lessons on LGBT and disability rights movements into social studies curriculum.[12] The Department of Education agreed to update its curriculum to include this material two weeks after it was sent.[13]
Gun policy
In April 2013, Cullison voted for the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[14]
Health care
During the 2018 legislative session, Cullison supported a bill to ask the federal government to divert money to Maryland used to offset the cost of high-risk patients on the
In 2019, Cullison introduced a bill to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of
During the 2023 legislative session, Cullison introduced the Access to Care Act, which would allow undocumented immigrants to buy into the state's health exchange.[18][19]
Immigration
In 2017, Cullison supported the Maryland Trust Act, which would prevent the use of state and local funding for federal immigration enforcement.[20]
Israel
In May 2018, Cullison said she supported Governor Larry Hogan's executive order banning the state from contracting with companies that supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[21]
Minimum wage
During the 2014 legislative session, Cullison voted for a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017.[22]
Social issues
Cullison supported the
In September 2018, Cullison signed a letter calling for a county investigation into
During the 2021 legislative session and following the suicide of
Taxes
During the 2013 legislative session, Cullison voted for a bill to index the state's gas tax to inflation to pay for transportation projects.[34]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Benjamin F. Kramer (incumbent) | 7,603 | 26.3 | |
Democratic | Bonnie Cullison | 6,083 | 21.1 | |
Democratic | Sam Arora | 5,767 | 20.0 | |
Democratic | Jay Hutchins | 4,559 | 15.8 | |
Democratic | Hoan Dang | 3,277 | 11.3 | |
Democratic | Vivian Scretchen | 1,600 | 5.5 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Benjamin F. Kramer (incumbent) | 23,526 | 25.8 | |
Democratic | Sam Arora | 22,242 | 24.4 | |
Democratic | Bonnie Cullison | 21,795 | 23.9 | |
Republican | Linn Rivera | 11,929 | 13.1 | |
Republican | Tom Masser | 11,362 | 12.5 | |
Write-in | 288 | 0.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Benjamin F. Kramer (incumbent) | 22,238 | 29.0 | |
Democratic | Bonnie Cullison (incumbent) | 21,394 | 27.9 | |
Democratic | Maricé Morales | 20,104 | 26.2 | |
Republican | Martha Schaerr | 12,622 | 16.5 | |
Write-in | 336 | 0.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Charlotte Crutchfield | 34,507 | 25.7 | |
Democratic | Bonnie Cullison (incumbent) | 33,690 | 25.1 | |
Democratic | Vaughn Stewart | 32,636 | 24.3 | |
Republican | Dave Pasti | 12,234 | 9.1 | |
Republican | Martha Schaerr | 10,651 | 7.9 | |
Republican | Helen Domenici | 10,460 | 7.8 | |
Write-in | 132 | 0.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Charlotte Crutchfield (incumbent) | 28,083 | 30.1 | |
Democratic | Bonnie Cullison (incumbent) | 27,747 | 29.7 | |
Democratic | Vaughn Stewart (incumbent) | 27,033 | 29.0 | |
Republican | Frank Nice | 10,035 | 10.8 | |
Write-in | 392 | 0.4 |
References
- ^ a b c d "Bonnie L. Cullison, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Mosk, Matthew; Perlstein, Linda (August 14, 2003). "Politicos Organizing for 2004 Primary". The Washington Post. p. T2.
- ^ "Cash on the barrel; Montgomery County's teachers union and the politics of entitlement". The Washington Post. February 22, 2010. p. A14.
- ^ Cullison, Bonnie (January 25, 2007). "What One Group Wants the General Assembly to Do for the County". The Washington Post. p. T18.
- ^ Peck, Louis (August 3, 2017). "With Manno Running For Congress, Cullison Eyes Bid For His State Senate Seat". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Peck, Louis (August 3, 2017). "Updated: Kramer Will Pursue Open District 19 Senate Seat, Rather than County Executive". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "2010 voters' guide: Bonnie Cullison". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
- ^ a b Dvorak, Petula (February 16, 2012). "For Maryland's gay legislators, moment of truth looms on same-sex marriage". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Gay candidates seek record voice in legislature". The Gazette. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010.
- ^ Wagner, John; Wiggins, Ovetta (April 6, 2013). "Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George's school system to governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Hicks, Josh (January 9, 2018). "With Obama's federal mandate disappearing, Md. Democrats push 'down payment' plan". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Daily Record. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Angela (January 31, 2023). "Advocates, Maryland lawmakers pitch Health Care for All 2023 legislative agenda". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Metcalf, Andrew (February 22, 2017). "Leggett Opposes State Bill That Would Take Aim at Trump's Immigration Policies". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Peck, Louis (May 30, 2018). "District 19 Candidates Field Some Questions Not Usually Heard at Delegate Forums". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (March 7, 2014). "How the Maryland House voted on legislation to raise the state's minimum wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (February 17, 2012). "Md. same-sex marriage: How the House voted". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Marimow, Ann E. (April 6, 2011). "Transgender protection bill faces steep climb in Md. Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- The Daily Record. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Morse, Dan; Wiggins, Ovetta (September 26, 2018). "11 Md. lawmakers call for Montgomery County investigation into sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Schere, Dan (September 26, 2018). "MoCo House Delegation Sends Letter Asking for Investigation of Kavanaugh". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Kazanjian, Glynis (September 28, 2018). "County Prosecutor, Police Chief Won't Investigate Kavanaugh Without Complaint". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Flynn, Meagan (June 21, 2021). "Mental health law named for Rep. Raskin's late son takes effect in Md. next week". Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
External links
- Campaign website
- "Delegate Bonnie Cullison". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved October 28, 2023.