Rona E. Kramer

Rona E. Kramer (born August 16, 1954) is an American politician who served as the Maryland Secretary of Aging under Governor Larry Hogan from 2015 to 2023. She was previously a member of the Maryland Senate from 2003 to 2011.[1]

Rona E. Kramer
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging
In office
January 21, 2015 – January 18, 2023
Acting: January 21, 2015 – March 13, 2015
GovernorLarry Hogan
Preceded byGloria G. Lawlah
Succeeded byCarmel Roques
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 14th district
In office
January 8, 2003 – January 12, 2011
Preceded byNone (Redistricting)
Succeeded byKaren S. Montgomery
ConstituencyMontgomery County
Personal details
Born (1954-08-16) August 16, 1954
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelationsSidney Kramer (father)
Benjamin F. Kramer (brother)
Children2
ResidenceOlney, Maryland
OccupationBusinesswoman

Early life and education

Kramer was born in Washington, D.C., on August 16, 1954,[1] one of three children of eventual Montgomery County Executive Sidney Kramer and his wife Betty Mae.[2] She grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Kramer later attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a B.A. degree in law enforcement in 1976, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she earned her J.D. degree in 1979. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1980.[1]

Career

After graduating from the University of Baltimore, Kramer worked as an entrepreneur in shopping mall management.[2] She also served as the president of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce from 1992 to 1993.[1][3]

In 2002, Kramer ran for Maryland Senate in District 14, which had no incumbent senator following redistricting. In the Democratic primary, she defeated state delegate Tod David Sher and former delegate Mathew Mossburg,[3] and defeated Republican businessman Jorge Ribas in the general election.[4]

Maryland Senate

Kramer was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 8, 2003,[1] where she was described by The Baltimore Sun as being a "socially moderate, business-oriented lawmaker".[5] She also described herself as a fiscal conservative.[2]

Kramer supported a bill giving the legislature veto power over the failed Baltimore Gas and Electric and Constellation Energy merger,[6] capping electricity rate increases,[7] and the limited repeal of the death penalty in 2009.[8][9] Kramer opposed proposals to repeal the state's computer services tax,[10] legalize commercial slot machines,[11] and prevent Medicaid fraud.[12]

Kramer unsuccessfully ran for re-election in 2010, losing to state delegate Karen S. Montgomery.[13] Following her loss, she worked as the senior vice president and general counsel at Kramer Enterprises, a commercial real estate company owned by her father.[14]

Maryland Secretary of Aging
Kramer speaking at a podium with the seal of Montgomery County on it during a meeting of Governor Larry Hogan's cabinet members
Kramer as Maryland Secretary of Aging, 2018

On January 8, 2015, Governor-elect Larry Hogan named Kramer as his Secretary of Aging. She was one of several Democrats to serve in his cabinet.[5][15] Kramer's nomination was unanimously approved by the Maryland Senate on March 6, 2015.[16]

In this position, Kramer oversaw the launch of the "My Groceries to Go!" supplemental food program[17] and the state's durable medical equipment reuse program.[18] During the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to Maryland's senior populations.[19][20]

Personal life

Kramer is a single mom and has two daughters.[21] Together, they live in Olney, Maryland.[2] Kramer is Jewish.[22]

Electoral history
Maryland Senate District 14 Democratic primary election, 2002[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rona E. Kramer 5,369 46.4
Democratic Tod David Sher 4,900 42.3
Democratic Matthew Mossburg 1,314 11.3
Maryland Senate District 14 Democratic election, 2002[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rona E. Kramer 22,938 60.7
Republican Jorge Ribas 14,773 39.1
Write-in 51 0.1
Maryland Senate District 14 Democratic election, 2006[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rona E. Kramer (incumbent) 22,938 67.8
Republican Frank Hackenberg 12,733 32.1
Write-in 53 0.1
Maryland Senate District 14 Democratic primary election, 2010[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Karen S. Montgomery 4,973 50.6
Democratic Rona E. Kramer (incumbent) 4,857 49.4

References
  1. "Rona E. Kramer, Maryland Secretary of Aging". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  2. Rein, Lisa (February 11, 2007). "Siblings Share the Floor in Annapolis Kramers Following Father's Footsteps". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  3. Nitkin, David (September 14, 2002). "La Vay drops bid for 14th District seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  4. "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  5. Dresser, Michael (January 8, 2015). "Investment banker is Hogan's pick to lead business agency". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  6. Brewington, Kelly; Green, Andrew A. (March 31, 2006). "Legislature votes to assume power over BGE merger". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  7. Green, Andrew A. (June 24, 2006). "Rate deferral is law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  8. Bykowicz, Julie (March 5, 2009). "Death penalty limits advance". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  9. Bykowicz, Julie; Dechter, Gadi (March 4, 2009). "Chaos in the Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  10. Dechter, Gadi; Olson, Bradley (March 27, 2008). "Deal may end 'tech tax'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  11. Dresser, Michael (March 23, 2003). "Senate narrowly OKs slots". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  12. Smitherman, Laura (March 25, 2009). "Medicaid fraud bill falls to lobby". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  13. Linskey, Annie (September 16, 2010). "Incumbent losses deepen Senate divide". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  14. Shastry, Anjali (January 16, 2015). "Hogan Appoints Budget Secretary, Emphasizes Private Sector Experience Among Staff". Capital News Service. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  15. Wagner, John (January 8, 2015). "Hogan names his picks for business secretary, three other Cabinet posts". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  16. Johnson, Jenna (March 6, 2015). "Maryland Senate confirms Pete Rahn as transportation secretary". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  17. "Food program for older Marylanders to be launched". The Baltimore Sun. August 12, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  18. Probst, Bethany (October 6, 2021). "Maryland residents eligible for free medical equipment". Capital News Network. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  19. Stole, Bryn; Wood, Pamela (January 15, 2021). "Maryland expands vaccine rollout, with people 75 and older, teachers eligible next week". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  20. Ohl, Danielle (January 14, 2021). "Anne Arundel moving to Phase 1B; Hogan announces accelerated state vaccine rollout, cautions supply is needed". The Baltimore Sun. Capital Gazette. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  21. Johnson, Darragh (April 6, 2003). "Senators' Daughters in Special Session". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  22. Hicks, Josh (September 7, 2016). "Gov. Hogan to lead trade mission to Israel in September, focus on start-ups". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  23. "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 14". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  24. "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 14". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  25. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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