By Adam Pagnucco.

District 14 Delegate Pamela Queen, who was first appointed to the House of Delegates in 2016 and subsequently elected in 2018 and 2022, is not running for another term.  The remaining state legislators from the district – Senator Craig Zucker and Delegates Anne Kaiser and Bernice Mireku-North – are running as a team for reelection.  This sets up an open race for the remaining delegate seat.

District 14 hugs the borders of Howard and Prince George’s counties and includes much of Upcounty.  It contains the eastern outskirts of Damascus, Laytonsville, Brookeville, Olney, Sandy Spring, Ashton, Cloverly, Burtonsville, Fairland and nearby communities.

The district has been quiet lately but that has not always been the case.  Back in 2010, it saw one of the wilder elections in the county.  Delegate Herman Taylor left to unsuccessfully challenge Congresswoman Donna Edwards and Delegate Karen Montgomery decided to challenge incumbent Senator Rona Kramer.  Montgomery defeated Kramer in a nasty race and newcomers Craig Zucker and Eric Luedtke joined two-term incumbent Kaiser in the House.  Later, Zucker replaced Montgomery when she retired, Queen was appointed to fill his House seat and Mireku-North was appointed to replace Luedtke when he joined the Moore administration.  The district is due for another open election.

The district has included some prominent legislators over the years.  Kaiser was first elected in 2002 and is a former majority leader and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.  Zucker is a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and has a reputation for bringing back capital money to the county, a rare asset for MoCo.  Luedke is a former majority leader and was once Governor Wes Moore’s chief legislative officer.  All three have been voted by my sources as among MoCo’s most influential elected officials at one time or another.

The District 14 state legislators’ press release is reprinted below.

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For Immediate Release

The District 14 Team: Senator Zucker, Delegates Kaiser and Mireku-North Announce for Reelection; Delegate Pamela Queen to Retire at End of Current Term

*Team Receives Endorsement of Congressman Raskin and Former County Executive Leggett 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. (September 17, 2025) –Today, the District 14 Team announced that State Senator Craig J. Zucker, Delegate Anne Kaiser, and Delegate Bernice Mireku-North are filing for reelection to continue to represent and deliver for Eastern, MIddle, and Northern Montgomery County in the state legislature. The fourth member of the team, Delegate Pamela “Pam” Queen, is not seeking reelection, but is remaining in office as a vital member of the delegation until her term ends in January of 2027.

“I congratulate Delegate Pam Queen on her successful legislative career and appreciate her service to District 14 and the State of Maryland,” said Former County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett. “Her team: Senator Zucker, Delegate Kaiser, and Delegate Mireku-North have my continued enthusiastic support for reelection. Their record of delivering for our community is top-notch.”

The District 14 Team thanked Pam Queen for her friendship and outstanding service to the district, county, and state.

District 14 has seen record investments and infrastructure improvements, from school upgrades to support for nonprofits. Delegate Queen has played an instrumental role in making this a reality. She serves in a leadership position in the House of Delegates, chairing the subcommittee on Banking, Consumer Protection, and Commercial Law on the Economic Matters Committee. It has been a perfect fit for Delegate Queen, who has a Ph.D. in Finance and is a Professor of Finance at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8) announced his endorsement of the team: “In these tough and turbulent times, we need strong and steady leadership. I can always count on the District 14 Team to provide a steady hand and a clear path for progress. Senator Zucker, Delegates Kaiser and Mireku-North have my full and enthusiastic support for reelection, and I look forward to our continued partnership for our people,” stated Congressman Raskin.

Senator Zucker was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2010 and has been a member of the Senate since 2016. He serves on the Budget and Taxation Committee, chairing the powerful Capital Budget Subcommittee, a key role in which he directs essential funding to important projects throughout the area. Senator Zucker lives in Brookeville, with his wife Jenny, their two sons, and their dog Olivia.

The dean of the delegation, Delegate Kaiser was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2002. She serves on the Health and Government Operations Committee and brings expertise and passion to legislative issues designed to make government more accessible to everyone. Delegate Kaiser lives with her wife, Nancy, and their daughter Allison Joan “AJ” in Brookeville.

The newest member of the team, Delegate Mireku-North, was appointed to the House of Delegates in 2023. Hitting the ground running, as a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, she brings her knowledge and distinctive legal background to advance our shared values. Delegate Mireku-North resides in the Fairland area of Silver Spring with her husband, Terrill, and daughter Adjoa.

www.md14team.com

By Auth: District 14 Team Slate, Lauretta Rodich, Treasurer.