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State Senator · Legislative District 12 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
Maryland State Senators represent their local districts in the General Assembly, where they propose and vote on laws covering issues like education, transportation, and public safety. They are responsible for approving the state’s annual budget and have the unique power to confirm or reject the Governor’s appointments for judges and agency leaders. This office is critical because its decisions determine how state tax dollars are spent and which policies govern your local community.
View all candidates in this raceClarence Lam is a physician and Maryland State Senator representing Howard, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel Counties. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he currently serves on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University where he directs the preventive medicine residency program. Lam began his political career in the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014 before being elected to the State Senate in 2018, where he became the first Asian American to serve as a chair or vice chair of a standing committee. His legislative focus is heavily informed by his medical background, advocating for public health initiatives such as capping insulin costs and expanding healthcare access for undocumented immigrants. Additionally, he has championed environmental protection legislation and the codification of reproductive rights in Maryland law.
Sources: Campaign website
Good policy is the result of smart, effective legislators working together to bring about meaningful change.
As a physician, Clarence has supported countless patients in making healthcare decisions and he knows that patients are best positioned to direct their own care – not politicians.
As a preventive medicine physician, Clarence is acutely aware of the impact of the environment on public health, particularly on the marginalized communities hardest hit by climate change.
Clarence believes that access to abortion care is a core tenet of bodily and medical autonomy.
Source: clarencelam.com
Climate and Environment
Lam supports policies achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and a 60% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2031. He has sponsored legislation to ban toxic pesticides like chlorpyrifos and reduce the environmental impact of state buildings.
“As a member of the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, Clarence worked to pass the strongest version possible of the Climate Solutions Now Act, which includes provisions that require the state to reduce its carbon footprint by over 60% by 2031 and be carbon neutral by 2045.”
Reproductive Healthcare
He advocates for codifying the right to choose into federal law and has sponsored state legislation to create a 2024 ballot measure affirming reproductive freedom.
“During the 2024 legislative session, Clarence will be the primary sponsor for legislation strengthening the state’s abortion care shield law to ensure that states like Texas or Florida cannot go after Maryland patients or providers.”
Healthcare Access
Lam focuses on reducing medical costs and expanding coverage to vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals and undocumented immigrants.
“Clarence has been proud to represent Marylanders... sponsoring and helping to pass critical pieces of legislation capping the cost of insulin at no more than $1 per day, expanding healthcare access to expecting mothers and undocumented immigrants.”
Government Oversight
He emphasizes accountability within state agencies and personnel oversight through his committee leadership roles.
“He currently serves as... the Senate Chair of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight.”
“Clarence worked to pass the strongest version possible of the Climate Solutions Now Act, which includes provisions that require the state to reduce its carbon footprint by over 60% by 2031 and be carbon neutral by 2045.”
Source“sponsoring and helping to pass critical pieces of legislation capping the cost of insulin at no more than $1 per day, expanding healthcare access to expecting mothers and undocumented immigrants.”
Source“expanding healthcare access to expecting mothers and undocumented immigrants”
Source“He currently serves as the Chair of the Howard County Senate Delegation, the Senate Chair of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight”
Source