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State Senator · Legislative District 21 · 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 raceJames Rosapepe is an American politician and diplomat serving as a member of the Maryland Senate since 2007, representing District 21. Born in Rome, Italy on May 20, 1951 to parents who were working as American journalists, he attended Yale University as an undergraduate but did not graduate before studying at Georgetown University. He previously served as United States Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, where he helped integrate Romania into NATO and supported the country's transition to a democratic free market system. Before his ambassadorship, Rosapepe was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1987 to 1997 and has been involved in politics since age 17. He currently serves as chief executive officer of Patuxent Capital Group since 2001.
Sources: Campaign website
Education
Opposed stadium funding instead of school improvements; introduced legislation allowing disabled students to participate in sports; supported Dream Act for undocumented immigrant tuition access
“In April 1994, Rosapepe said he opposed a bill to provide state funding to build a new stadium for the Washington Redskins in Laurel, Maryland , saying that the stadium funds should instead go toward improving state schools.”
Education
Supported Dream Act extending in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants; supported lowering requirements for undocumented immigrants to apply for in-state tuition at public colleges
“In 2011 legislative session, Rosapepe voted for Maryland's Dream Act , a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.”
Energy
Opposes electricity deregulation; introduced bill requiring utility companies building power plants to first sell electricity in-state; called for fines against utility companies after derecho outage
“Rosapepe opposes electricity deregulation . During the 2008 legislative session, he introduced a bill that would require utility companies that build power plants in Maryland to first sell their electricity in-state, which passed and became law.”
Gun Policy
Voted for Firearm Safety Act banning assault weapons; introduced legislation to ban terrorists from acquiring firearms; supported bills banning firearms on campuses and requiring domestic abusers to surrender guns
“In 2016, Rosapepe introduced legislation to ban terrorists from acquiring firearms and supported bills banning firearms on campuses and requiring domestic abusers to surrender their guns.”
Healthcare
Supported establishing Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate prescription drug prices; urged Governor Larry Hogan to form regional pact with bordering states during COVID-19 pandemic
“During the 2019 legislative session, Rosapepe supported legislation to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs and other bills to make it easier for uninsured people to apply for health coverage.”
Democrat Jim Rosapepe won the state Senate seat for District 21 after defeating incumbent John Giannetti in a race described by supporters as one of the most bizarre state Senate races across Maryland. The campaign was notable because Giannetti switched his party affiliation to Republican after losing the Democratic primary, challenging Rosapepe again in the general election where Rosapepe easily won with 70 percent of the vote. Both candidates spent an unprecedented $500,000 in campaign expenditures according to the Maryland Board of Elections.
“In April 1994, Rosapepe said he opposed a bill to provide state funding to build a new stadium for the Washington Redskins in Laurel, Maryland , saying that the stadium funds should instead go toward improving state schools.”
Source“In 2011 legislative session, Rosapepe voted for Maryland's Dream Act , a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.”
Source“Rosapepe opposes electricity deregulation . During the 2008 legislative session, he introduced a bill that would require utility companies that build power plants in Maryland to first sell their electricity in-state, which passed and became law.”
Source“In 2016, Rosapepe introduced legislation to ban terrorists from acquiring firearms and supported bills banning firearms on campuses and requiring domestic abusers to surrender their guns.”
Source“During the 2019 legislative session, Rosapepe supported legislation to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs and other bills to make it easier for uninsured people to apply for health coverage.”
Source“In 2020, he supported a bill to lower the requirements for undocumented immigrants to apply for in-state tuition at public colleges.”
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