Bonnie Cullison

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Bonnie Cullison
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 19th district
Assumed office
January 12, 2011
Preceded byHenry B. Heller
Personal details
Born
Bonita Lynne Cullison

(1954-03-24) March 24, 1954 (age 70)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Marcia Massey
​
(m. 2013)​
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BA, MA)
WebsiteOfficial 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[edit]

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[edit]

Cullison (center) and other members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus with Governor Wes Moore, 2023

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[edit]

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[edit]

Education[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 Affordable Care Act's insurance pool, instead using it under a new "reinsurance program" under the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.[15]

In 2019, Cullison introduced a bill to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs, which passed and became law.[16][17]

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[edit]

In 2017, Cullison supported the Maryland Trust Act, which would prevent the use of state and local funding for federal immigration enforcement.[20]

Israel[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Cullison (center) at the Question 6 victory party, 2012

Cullison supported the Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.[9][23][24] During the 2011 and 2014 legislative sessions, she supported a bill to ban discrimination against transgender individuals.[25][26] In 2018, she introduced a bill to ban conversion therapy for minors, which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[27][28] During the 2023 legislative session, Cullison supported the Trans Health Equity Act, a bill that would have required the state's Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming treatment, which passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.[29]

In September 2018, Cullison signed a letter calling for a county investigation into sexual assault allegations made against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.[30][31] Montgomery County law enforcement officials declined to investigate the matter unless the alleged victim filed a complaint.[32]

Cullison and Jamie Raskin at the signing of the Tommy Bloom Raskin Act

During the 2021 legislative session and following the suicide of Jamie Raskin's son, Tommy, Cullison introduced a bill named for Tommy that would allow people to opt into periodic calls from 2-1-1 crisis counselors. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan.[33]

Taxes[edit]

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[edit]

Maryland House of Delegates District 19 Democratic primary election, 2010[35]
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
Maryland House of Delegates District 19 election, 2010[36]
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
Maryland House of Delegates District 19 election, 2014[37]
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
Maryland House of Delegates District 19 election, 2018[38]
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
Maryland House of Delegates District 19 election, 2022[39]
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[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Bonnie L. Cullison, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Mosk, Matthew; Perlstein, Linda (August 14, 2003). "Politicos Organizing for 2004 Primary". The Washington Post. p. T2.
  3. ^ "Cash on the barrel; Montgomery County's teachers union and the politics of entitlement". The Washington Post. February 22, 2010. p. A14.
  4. ^ Cullison, Bonnie (January 25, 2007). "What One Group Wants the General Assembly to Do for the County". The Washington Post. p. T18.
  5. ^ Peck, Louis (August 3, 2017). "With Manno Running For Congress, Cullison Eyes Bid For His State Senate Seat". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Peck, Louis (August 3, 2017). "Updated: Kramer Will Pursue Open District 19 Senate Seat, Rather than County Executive". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  7. ^ DiGuglielmo, Joey (September 15, 2010). "Beyer falls short in bid for legislature". The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  8. ^ "2010 voters' guide: Bonnie Cullison". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Gay candidates seek record voice in legislature". The Gazette. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (August 1, 2019). "Lawmakers Push to Include LGBT, Disability Rights Movements in School Lessons". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (August 13, 2019). "Update: State Department of Ed Working on LGBT, Disability Rights Curricula". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Hicks, Josh (January 9, 2018). "With Obama's federal mandate disappearing, Md. Democrats push 'down payment' plan". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  16. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 27, 2019). "House Measure Would Allow Board to Investigate High-Priced Drugs". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Curtis, Tim (July 2, 2019). "Md. leaders hope drug board sets the bar for the nation". The Daily Record. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Roberts, Angela (January 31, 2023). "Advocates, Maryland lawmakers pitch Health Care for All 2023 legislative agenda". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  19. ^ Ford, William J. (March 14, 2023). "Advocates rally for bills that would expand access to health care". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  20. ^ Metcalf, Andrew (February 22, 2017). "Leggett Opposes State Bill That Would Take Aim at Trump's Immigration Policies". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  21. ^ Peck, Louis (May 30, 2018). "District 19 Candidates Field Some Questions Not Usually Heard at Delegate Forums". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (February 11, 2012). "O'Malley defends marriage bill at Md. House hearing". The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Wagner, John (February 17, 2012). "Md. same-sex marriage: How the House voted". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  25. ^ Marimow, Ann E. (April 6, 2011). "Transgender protection bill faces steep climb in Md. Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (May 15, 2014). "Martin O'Malley signs Maryland trans rights bill". The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  27. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 7, 2018). "Delegate Shares Personal Story Before House Vote to Ban Conversion Therapy for Minors". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (March 28, 2018). "Md. Senate approves bill to ban conversion therapy for minors". The Washington Blade. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  29. ^ Hogan, Jack (March 30, 2023). "General Assembly expands Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care". The Daily Record. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Schere, Dan (September 26, 2018). "MoCo House Delegation Sends Letter Asking for Investigation of Kavanaugh". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Kazanjian, Glynis (September 28, 2018). "County Prosecutor, Police Chief Won't Investigate Kavanaugh Without Complaint". MoCo360. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  36. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  37. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  38. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  39. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.

External links[edit]

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