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Victor R. Ramirez

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Victor R. Ramirez
Ramirez in 2007
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 47th district
In office
January 12, 2011 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byDavid C. Harrington
Succeeded byMalcolm Augustine
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 47A district
In office
January 8, 2003 – January 11, 2011
Preceded byBrian K. McHale (47A)
Timothy D. Murphy (47A)
Thomas E. Dewberry (47B)
Succeeded byMichael G. Summers
Personal details
Born (1974-07-20) July 20, 1974 (age 51)
San Salvador, El Salvador
PartyDemocratic
SpouseBetsy Ramirez
Children2

Victor R. Ramirez (born July 20, 1974) is an American politician who was a member of the Maryland Senate representing the 47th district from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented District 47A in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003 to 2011. Ramirez is the first Latino to be elected to the Maryland General Assembly.

Early life and education

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Ramirez was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, on July 20, 1974.[1] His parents worked as a mechanic and a maintenance worker. His family moved to the United States from El Salvador when Ramirez was six years old.[2] Ramirez graduated from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland in 1992, where he played soccer.[3] He attended Frostburg State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in international business in 1996, and St. Thomas University, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2001.[1]

Career

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Ramirez taught English classes for non-English speaking adults from 2001 to 2002. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2001, afterwards starting his own law office.[1]

Maryland General Assembly

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Ramirez was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002, becoming the first Latino elected to the Maryland General Assembly.[4][5] He was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 8, 2003. He was a member of the Ways and Means Committee from 2003 to 2006, afterwards serving on the Judiciary Committee until 2011. From 2007 to 2011, Ramirez served as a deputy majority whip.[1] During the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries, he ran to be a delegate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, pledged to U.S. Senator John Edwards.[6]

Ramirez was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2010 after defeating incumbent state senator David C. Harrington in that year's Democratic primary.[7][8] was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 12, 2011. He was a member of the Judicial Proceedings from 2011 to 2012, afterwards serving on the Finance Committee until 2015, when he returned to the Judicial Proceedings Committee.[1] He was also a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, pledged to President Barack Obama.[1] In February 2015, Ramirez joined state delegates David Fraser-Hidalgo, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maricé Morales, Will Campos, and Ana Sol Gutierrez in organizing the Maryland Latino Legislative Caucus, becoming one of the caucus' first six members.[9][10][11]

On August 20, 2017, Ramirez announced that he would not run for re-election in 2018, opting instead to run for Prince George's County state's attorney.[12] During his campaign, Ramirez supported decreasing arrests for low-level crimes, such as petty theft and marijuana possession, and create more county diversion programs. He received endorsements from former Prince George's County state's attorney Glenn Ivey, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, and Service Employees International Union 32BJ.[13][14] Ramirez lost to former state delegate Aisha Braveboy in the Democratic primary, placing second with 27% of the vote.[15]

Post-legislative career

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In 2016, Ramirez became Northwestern High School's soccer coach.[3] He was named coach of the year by The Washington Post in 2021,[16] after leading his alma mater to the school's third state championship win over Northwest High School.[3] During its 2022 season, the team entered the postseason as the undefeated champion of Prince George's County, but was eliminated in the semifinals after it was discovered that the team was using an ineligible player. Ramirez said that he and his coaching staff were unaware of the ineligibility and wished that the whistleblower who reported his team had approached him directly so that he could've reported it to officials directly instead of having their team eliminated.[17]

In January 2020, Ramirez filed to run to be a delegate at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, pledged to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.[18]

In March 2021, Ramirez announced that he would run for the Prince George's County Council in 2022, seeking to succeed Deni Taveras, who was term-limited.[19] He narrowly lost to state delegate Wanika B. Fisher in the Democratic primary, placing second with 44.8% of the vote.[20]

Ramirez is a candidate for the Prince George's County Council in 2026, seeking to succeed Fisher, who is running for Prince George's County state's attorney.[21]

Political positions

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Crime and policing

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During the 2013 legislative session, Ramirez supported repealing the death penalty in Maryland, citing statistics showing that Maryland has been more likely to impose the death penalty in cases involving Black assailants and white victms.[22]

Education

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During his tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates, Ramirez repeatedly introduced legislation to extend in-state tuition to undocumented students. The bill passed in 2003, when it was vetoed by Governor Bob Ehrlich, and again in 2011, when it was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.[23] After the legislation was petitioned to a statewide referendum by state delegate Neil Parrott, Ramirez held rallies in support of the legislation.[24]

Gun control

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During the 2018 legislative session and following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Ramirez introduced legislation to ban bump stocks in Maryland.[25]

Immigration

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Ramirez support issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.[26] During the 2013 legislative session, he introduced the Maryland Highway Safety Act, which passed and was signed into law by Governor O'Malley.[27]

During the 2017 legislative session, Ramirez introduced the Trust Act, which would prohibit police and sheriff's departments from complying with federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants.[28]

Social issues

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In May 2005, Ramirez and state delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez called on Governor Ehrlich to rescind the appointment of William G. Duvall Jr. as head of a panel responsible for interviewing judicial candidates on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, citing his use of an ethnic slur to describe undocumented immigrants. Ehrlich withdrew Duvall's appointment and condemned his use of the slur.[29]

During the 2006 legislative session, Ramirez introduced a bill that would require Maryland to set aside at least $7 million in the state's Medicaid budget to cover low-income pregnant women and children who are legal immigrants but do not qualify for federal money.[30]

During the 2011 legislative session, Ramirez supported the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.[31]

In 2015, Ramirez was appointed as the Senate chair of the Death with Dignity Work Group.[1] During the 2015 legislative session, he expressed concerns with the Death With Dignity Act, a bill that would allow terminally ill adults in Maryland to take their own lives, citing testimony from the bill's opponents who argued that poor people and people with disabilities could opt to end their lives early because of the costs associated with their treatments.[32]

Personal life

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Ramirez is married to his wife, Betsy, and has two children.[33] He is a parishioner at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cheverly, Maryland.[1]

Electoral history

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2002 Maryland House of Delegates 47th district election[34][35]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rosetta C. Parker 3,584 17.2
Democratic Doyle Niemann 3,521 16.9
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 3,054 14.6
Democratic Diana M. Fennell 2,724 13.1
Democratic Bob McGrory 2,298 11.0
Democratic Lee P. Walker 2,229 10.7
Democratic Lillian K. Beverly 1,808 8.7
Democratic Fred Price Jr. 1,316 6.3
Democratic Theodore N. Pantazes 323 1.5
Total votes 20,857 100.0
General election
Democratic Rosetta C. Parker 12,134 34.8
Democratic Doyle Niemann 11,406 32.7
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 11,284 32.3
Write-in 90 0.3
Total votes 34,914 100.0
2006 Maryland House of Delegates 47th district election[36][37]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez (incumbent) 5,797 31.3
Democratic Jolene Ivey 5,653 30.5
Democratic Doyle Niemann (incumbent) 3,881 20.9
Democratic Rosetta C. Parker (incumbent) 3,209 17.3
Total votes 18,540 100.0
General election
Democratic Jolene Ivey 12,860 35.3
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez (incumbent) 12,231 33.6
Democratic Doyle Niemann (incumbent) 11,229 30.8
Write-in 120 0.3
Total votes 36,440 100.0
2010 Maryland Senate 47th district election[38][39]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 4,532 63.6
Democratic David C. Harrington (incumbent) 2,596 36.4
Total votes 7,128 100.0
General election
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 15,548 98.9
Write-in 169 1.1
Total votes 15,717 100.0
2014 Maryland Senate 47th district election[40][41]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez (incumbent) 4,981 68.4
Democratic Walter Lee James, Jr. 2,296 31.6
Total votes 7,277 100.0
General election
Democratic Victor Ramirez (incumbent) 15,582 99.0
Write-in 160 1.0
Total votes 15,742 100.0
2018 Prince George's County State's Attorney Democratic primary election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aisha Braveboy 78,320 62.8
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 33,653 27.0
Democratic D. Michael Lyles 12,680 10.2
Total votes 124,653 100.0
2022 Prince George's County Council 2nd district Democratic primary election[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wanika B. Fisher 3,620 50.9
Democratic Victor R. Ramirez 3,187 44.8
Democratic Raymond Nevo 306 4.3
Total votes 7,113 100.0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Victor R. Ramirez, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  2. ^ "Living the American dream". The Baltimore Sun. February 8, 2003. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Northwestern boys soccer team wins third state championship". Streetcar Suburbs Publishing. December 16, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  4. ^ Aizenman, Nurith C. (March 3, 2003). "In Annapolis, Latinos Inch Into Lobbying". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  5. ^ Wintrode, Brenda (February 17, 2026). "Why Maryland Democrats agreed to block immigration agreements with ICE". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  6. ^ "Official 2008 Presidential Primary Election results for Male Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  7. ^ "Ferguson topples Baltimore Senator Della". The Baltimore Sun. September 15, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  8. ^ Dresser, Michael (November 3, 2010). "GOP hopes dim for seat gains". The Baltimore Sun. p. A7. Retrieved April 30, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Lawmakers seek to give Latinos bigger voice in Maryland". WBAL-TV. February 5, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (February 2, 2015). "Md. lawmakers organizing the state's first Latino legislative caucus". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (February 5, 2015). "Md. Latino lawmakers launch caucus to boost their presence in Annapolis". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 21, 2017). "Sen. Ramirez to Run for State's Attorney; Scramble on to Replace Him". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  13. ^ Chason, Rachel (June 11, 2018). "They are running for county prosecutor. But their top focus is rehabilitation". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  14. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (June 19, 2018). "Who Has the Edge in Race for Prince George's State's Attorney?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  15. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (June 27, 2018). "Alsobrooks Romps in Prince George's County and Is Poised to Make History". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  16. ^ Errigo, Michael (December 14, 2021). "2021 Fall All-Met: Boys' soccer first team, second team and honorable mention". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  17. ^ "Oxon Hill volleyball represents for Prince George's; a defending champ in soccer is disqualified". The Washington Post. November 8, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  18. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 27, 2020). "No Surprise: Biden Is Dem Establishment Choice, Convention Filings Show". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 22, 2021). "Ex-State Sen. Victor Ramirez Plans Run for County Council Seat". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  20. ^ Wu, Daniel (July 31, 2022). "Prince George's council poised to see new liberal majority". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  21. ^ O'Malley, Sharon (March 4, 2026). "Hyattsville candidates line up for county council election". Streetcar Suburbs Publishing. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  22. ^ Wagner, John (March 6, 2013). "Death penalty repeal approved by Maryland Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  23. ^ Lazo, Luz (April 14, 2011). "Md. Latinos Gain Politically, Aided by Black Votes, Allies". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  24. ^ Dresser, Michael (October 23, 2012). "Dream Act supporters ramp up campaign". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  25. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 1, 2018). "After Florida Massacre, New Urgency on Gun Access, School Safety in Md". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  26. ^ Rein, Lisa (January 16, 2008). "Immigrant Driver ID Rejected by O'Malley". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  27. ^ Wagner, John (December 31, 2013). "Maryland law expanding driver's licenses for illegal immigrants takes effect on Wednesday". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  28. ^ Hicks, Josh (February 14, 2017). "Minority lawmakers unite around Md. bill to protect undocumented immigrants". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  29. ^ Marimow, Ann E. (May 20, 2005). "Ehrlich Ousts Appointee Over Slur on Web Site". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  30. ^ Wagner, John; Marimow, Ann E. (March 1, 2006). "Funds for Stem Cell Research Advance in Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  31. ^ Wagner, John (February 25, 2011). "Maryland Senate approves bill on gay marriage, but House passage not ensured". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  32. ^ Hernández, Arelis R.; Wiggins, Ovetta (March 2, 2016). "Doctor-assisted suicide bill unlikely to pass Md. Senate panel, sponsor says". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  33. ^ "Meet Us". Latino Democrats of Prince George's County. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  34. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 47". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  35. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  36. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 47". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  37. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 47". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  38. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  39. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  40. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  41. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  42. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  43. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
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