Courtney Watson (politician)

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Courtney Watson
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 9B district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byRobert Flanagan
Personal details
Born (1962-09-08) September 8, 1962 (age 61)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRichard
Children3
RelativesEdward L. Cochran (father)
EducationHoward Community College
Loyola University Maryland (BA, MBA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Mary Courtney Watson (born September 8, 1962)[1] is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates. She was previously a member of the Howard County Council from 2006 to 2014, and she was a member of the Howard County Board of Education from 2002 to 2006.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and career[edit]

Watson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland and attended Howard Community College and Loyola College, where she earned a B.A. degree in business in 1984 and a M.B.A. degree in 1986. After graduating, she started her own business, which she operated until 1991. Afterwards, she became the vice-president of sales at Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, a local insurance company.[4] After finding out about crowding at Ilchester Elementary School, Watson joined a local parents committee in 1997 to lobby for strengthening county laws that limit development around crowded schools. She later co-founded County-Wide Citizens for the 12th High School, which lobbied for the opening of a new elementary school near Waterloo and a 12th high school in northwest Howard.[6] The elementary school, Bellows Spring Elementary School, opened in 2003 and the high school, Marriotts Ridge High School, opened in 2005.[7] She was eventually appointed to Howard County's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Committee by county executive James N. Robey.[8]

In April 2002, Watson filed to run for the Howard County Board of Education, seeking to succeed board chairwoman Jane B. Schuchardt.[6][8] She won the nonpartisan primary election in September, receiving 62 percent of the vote.[9] At the time of her election, Watson was the youngest person on the Board of Education and was the only member with a child in the county school system.[10] She won the general election with 67.6 percent of the vote.[11]

In December 2005, Watson announced her candidacy for the Howard County Council in District 1, seeking to succeed county council chairman Christopher J. Merdon.[12] She won the general election with 52.3 percent of the vote.[13]

In September 2013, Watson announced her candidacy for Howard County executive, seeking to succeed Ken Ulman.[14] She was defeated by state Senator Allan Kittleman,[15][16] receiving 48.7 percent of the vote in the general election.[17]

In March 2015, Watson launched Bridge to Give, a charitable organization. The organization did not collect any money or donations, instead using Facebook as a tool to bring awareness of need in different areas of the community.[18]

Watson as a member of the electoral college, 2016

In November 2015, Watson endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[19] In 2016, Watson served as DNC delegate from Maryland's 7th congressional district in the Democratic primary, pledged to Clinton. She was a presidential elector in the 2016 general election from Maryland, pledged to Clinton and Tim Kaine, when she signed a letter demanding an intelligence briefing on the alleged Russian hacking.[20][21][22] After Clinton's defeat, Watson said she supported Electoral College reform.[23]

Following the first Ellicott City flood, Watson led volunteer recovery and relief efforts in the city.[24][25]

In August 2017, motivated by the results of the 2016 presidential election and the presidency of Donald Trump, Watson filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 9B, challenging Delegate Robert Flanagan. The district was one of the few legislative districts targeted by the Maryland Democratic Party.[15][26] She won the Democratic primary with 65.6 percent of the vote.[27] Ahead of the general election, she was endorsed by former president Barack Obama.[28][29] She was criticized by progressives for supporting Governor Larry Hogan's re-election campaign over Democratic nominee Ben Jealous.[30][31] She defeated Flanagan in the general election, receiving 57.4 percent of the vote.[32][33]

In the legislature[edit]

Watson was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019.[4]

In 2020, she again served as a DNC delegate from Maryland's 7th congressional district in the Democratic primary, pledged to Joe Biden.[34] Ahead of the presidential election, Watson and Jazz Lewis led an effort to get voters to apply for mail-in ballots to vote in the election.[35] She again applied to run as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Biden, but was denied by the Maryland Democratic Party.[36]

Committee assignments[edit]

  • Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2019–present (banking, consumer protection & commercial law subcommittee, 2019–present; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2019–present; chair, workers' compensation subcommittee, 2022–present)

Other memberships[edit]

  • House Chair, Howard County Delegation, 2021–present
  • Vice-Chair, Democratic Caucus, 2019–present
  • Member, Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019–present
  • Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2019–present

Political positions[edit]

Alcohol[edit]

In 2021, Watson co-sponsored legislation that would allow restaurants and bars to permanently legalize alcohol delivery if it was bought along with prepared food.[37][38] The bill passed and became law on May 18, 2021.[39]

Education[edit]

During her 2002 campaign, Watson supported providing enrichment programs for children who do not qualify for gifted or special education classes. She also supported increasing pay for teachers and creating incentives to keep teachers at under-performing schools.[6]

In September 2014, Watson unveiled a 17-point education platform as part of her campaign for Howard County executive. The plan's key points included creating an education liaison between county government and the county Board of Education, recruiting local businesses to create tech mentorships, and providing financial support to build new high schools and elementary schools to tackle school overcrowding.[40]

Healthcare[edit]

In May 2010, Watson voted to halve funding for Healthy Howard, a county program to provide health care services to uninsured individuals, because she felt it wasn't helping enough people for the cost.[41][42]

Watson supports the Affordable Care Act and expressed worries about how possible changes to it could affect Marylanders during her 2018 campaign.[26]

Infrastructure[edit]

Watson introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that established a grant program to assist areas with infrastructure repairs and watershed restoration efforts associated with flood events. The bill passed and became law on May 25, 2019.[43][44]

Watson introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would allow local governments to seek funding from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund for local climate resiliency projects.[45] The bill passed and became law on May 8, 2020.[46]

Labor[edit]

In February 2014, Watson said that she supported increasing the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour.[47] In December 2021, she sent a letter to the Howard County council asking its members to table legislation to raise the county's minimum wage to $16 an hour until discussions regarding minimum wage were held at the state level.[48]

In June 2021, Watson criticized Governor Hogan's decision to end expanded unemployment benefits provided under the American Rescue Plan Act.[49]

Transportation[edit]

During her 2014 executive campaign, Watson supported providing free bus transportation to the county's senior population.[41][50]

Electoral history[edit]

Howard County Board of Education primary election, 2002[9]
Candidate Votes %
Courtney Watson 20,940 62.3
Barry Tevelow 6,955 20.7
Arthur Neal Willoughby 5,741 17.1
Howard County Board of Education election, 2002[11]
Candidate Votes %
Courtney Watson 50,557 67.6
Barry Tevelow 23,865 31.9
Write-in 337 0.5
Howard County Council District 1 Democratic primary election, 2006[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson 3,807 100.0
Howard County Council District 1 election, 2006[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson 11,245 52.3
Republican Tony Salazar 10,257 47.7
Write-in 13 0.1
Howard County Council District 1 election, 2010[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson (incumbent) 11,638 52.7
Republican Robert Flanagan 10,427 47.2
Write-in 19 0.1
Howard County Executive Democratic primary election, 2014[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson 21,469 100.0
Howard County Executive election, 2014[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Allan H. Kittleman 53,207 51.2
Democratic Courtney Watson 50,543 48.7
Write-in 101 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 9B Democratic primary election, 2018[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson 3,228 65.6
Democratic Daniel Medinger 1,689 34.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 9B election, 2018[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson 11,742 57.4
Republican Robert Flanagan (incumbent) 8,680 42.4
Write-in 26 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 9B election, 2022[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Courtney Watson (incumbent) 11,287 65.9
Republican Lisa Kim 5,826 34.0
Write-in 15 0.1

References[edit]

  1. ^ Yeager, Amanda (September 12, 2013). "Facts about Courtney Watson". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Bishop, Tricia (November 21, 2002). "Watson follows the letter of the law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Yeager, Amanda (December 1, 2014). "Changing of the guard as Kittleman set to be sworn in Monday". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "M. Courtney Watson, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. August 17, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Members - Delegate Courtney Watson". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. July 8, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Aizenman, Nurith C. (July 11, 2002). "Four Contending For School Board". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Mui, Ylan Q. (September 26, 2002). "School Board Hopefuls Share Views but Not Methods". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. ^ a b White, Tanika (April 3, 2002). "Watson sets her sights on school board seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Howard County, Maryland - Primary Election Returns 2002". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. September 10, 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Mui, Ylan Q. (October 31, 2002). "Candidates Stress Leadership". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Howard County, Maryland - General Election Returns 2002". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. November 5, 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  12. ^ DeFord, Susan; Paley, Amit R. (December 8, 2005). "Growth Key Concern in Council Race". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Howard County". Maryland State Board of Elections. November 7, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Hirsch, Arthur (September 21, 2013). "Councilwoman Watson enters race for Howard executive". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Thompson, Meghan (December 20, 2017). "Here's One of the Democrats' Few Legislative Targets in '18". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  16. ^ Wood, Pamela (November 5, 2014). "Kittleman wins in Howard County". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Howard County". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
  18. ^ Yeager, Amanda (March 13, 2015). "Former Howard councilmember Watson launches charitable project". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  19. ^ Fritze, John (November 17, 2015). "Hillary Clinton unveils more than 70 Md. endorsements". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  20. ^ "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Female Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland State Board of Elections. May 31, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "Duly Appointed Presidential Electors - 2016". The Green Papers. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Cheney, Kyle; Debenedetti, Gabriel (December 12, 2016). "Electors demand intelligence briefing before Electoral College vote". Politico. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  23. ^ Witte, Brian (December 17, 2016). "Electors in Maryland Support Electoral College Changes". WJZ-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  24. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 7, 2019). "A Dozen House Freshmen to Watch". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Slow Progress In Ellicott City, Days After Historic Flooding". WJZ-TV. August 4, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Magill, Kate (August 22, 2017). "Courtney Watson to join race for House of Delegates". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
  28. ^ Vozzella, Laura (October 1, 2018). "Obama endorses three Democrats running for Congress in Virginia". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Kurtz, Josh (October 2, 2018). "Notebook: Obama Backs Jealous, Controversial Sheriff Coming to Town". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  30. ^ Elliott, Richard DeShay (November 29, 2018). "Reforming the Maryland Democratic Party". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  31. ^ Moore, Bobby (November 29, 2018). "Message to Team 46: Stand Up Against 'Democrats for Hogan' Hypocrisy". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  32. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "House Dems Pick Up At Least 5 Seats". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  34. ^ "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Female Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 2, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  35. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (August 15, 2020). "House Dems Organize Effort to Get Constituents to Vote by Mail". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  36. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 22, 2024). "Selection process for Democratic convention delegates irks some lawmakers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  37. ^ Yeager, Amanda (January 20, 2021). "Maryland bills look to permanently legalize alcohol delivery, carryout". WBAL-TV. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "Bill Would Allow Alcohol Carry-Out, Delivery To Continue In Maryland After COVID-19 Pandemic Ends". WJZ-TV. January 21, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  39. ^ "Legislation - HB0012". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  40. ^ Yeager, Amanda (September 2, 2014). "Howard County executive candidate Watson unveils education platform". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  41. ^ a b Yeager, Amanda (October 23, 2014). "Howard executive candidates have similar backgrounds, different philosophies". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  42. ^ Carson, Larry (May 13, 2010). "Healthy Howard will survive another year". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  43. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (May 13, 2019). "Ball Unapologetic About Investment Plan to Reduce Flood Risk in Ellicott City". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  44. ^ "Legislation - SB0269". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  45. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 28, 2020). "Women Lawmakers Take Aim at Climate Change". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  46. ^ "Legislation - HB0078". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  47. ^ Yeager, Amanda (February 20, 2014). "Howard business leaders split on proposed minimum wage increase". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  48. ^ Jones, Katie V. (December 8, 2021). "Howard County Council approves bill to increase minimum wage to $16 per hour by 2026". Howard County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  49. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (June 9, 2021). "House Committee Divided Over Hogan's Ending Expanded Unemployment Benefits". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  50. ^ Friedman, Robert (November 5, 2014). "Candidates court older voters". The Beacon Newspaper. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  51. ^ "Howard County, Maryland - Primary Election Returns 2006". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 12, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  52. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Howard County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  53. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Howard County". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  54. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.
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