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House of Delegates Member · Legislative District 16 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
Members of the Maryland House of Delegates represent their local districts in the state legislature by proposing, debating, and voting on laws that impact public education, healthcare, and transportation. They work alongside the state Senate to pass Maryland’s annual budget and determine how tax dollars are allocated to community services and infrastructure projects. This office is vital because delegates shape the statewide policies and spending priorities that directly influence the daily lives of all residents.
View all candidates in this raceSarah Wolek is a Democratic Delegate representing District 16 in Maryland who joined the state legislature in April 2023 after being appointed to fill a vacant seat left by her predecessor Ariana Kelly. She earned degrees from Wootton High School, University of Maryland College Park (BS in Decision Information Sciences and BA in Economics), Columbia University (MBA), and University of Chicago (MA in Public Policy). Before entering the legislature, she spent over a decade in the federal government at agencies including the White House Office of Management and Budget, United States Mission to the United Nations, Department of Treasury, Commerce, and Housing and Urban Development. She left federal service after feeling called to resist policies from the first Trump Administration and later taught self-leadership and wellbeing courses at UMD Smith School of Business for seven years. Currently she serves on the House Appropriations Committee covering education and economic development budget issues, is Co-Chair of the Montgomery County House Democratic Caucus, and Executive Board Member of Women Legislators of Maryland.
Sources: Campaign website
I believe that the role of government is to protect the most vulnerable among us, safeguard our planet, create an ecosystem in which human creativity and business can thrive, and most importantly develop and implement policies that rebuild our social fabric and enhance human flourishing and well-being.
The first lever we can move is the kind of person we choose to become. That means living lives that are authentic to us, where we show up with kindness and integrity, seek out and live our purpose, cultivate meaningful relationships and belonging, contribute and connect to our community, and honor our planet.
Our individual mindset, character, and actions are the fundamental unit of change.
helping each other live lives that are joyful, fulfilling, and purposeful is ultimately what this journey is all about.
Source: votesarahwolek.com
Social Connection and Wellbeing
Creating policy that helps build connection and community as social fabric is fraying
“Our social fabric is fraying. We must create policy that helps build connection and community.”
Economic Development
Creating an ecosystem that allows entrepreneurs, small business owners, and workers to thrive
“Policymakers must create an ecosystem that allows entrepreneurs, small business owners, and workers to thrive.”
Vulnerable Communities
Protecting the most vulnerable including children, seniors, disabled, poor, and immigrants through inclusion, access, and affordability
“The tenets of inclusion, access, and affordability should guide policymaking to protect the most vulnerable among us including children, seniors, the disabled, the poor, and immigrants.”
Aging and Senior Social Connection
Supporting aging populations through hub and spoke pilot programs for senior social connection
“HB 1103: Miriam Kelty Aging and Senior Social Connection Hub and Spoke Pilot Program”
Housing
Ensuring housing data transparency through local reporting requirements for development permits
“HB 1193: Housing Development Permits - Local Reporting Requirements (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act)”
Mental Health
Supporting state employees with paid sick leave and access to licensed clinical professional counselors for illness or disability certification
“HB 1013: State Employees - Paid Sick Leave - Certificate of Illness or Disability Signed by a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor”
Financial Wellbeing
Establishing financial wellbeing pilot programs in higher education institutions
“HB 811: Higher Education - Financial Well-Being Pilot Program - Establishment”
Bethesda Magazine reported in September 2025 that Sarah Wolek announced her campaign to keep her District 16 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates for the 2026 election. She described representing her district as "an incredible privilege" and stated her goal is to create human-centered policies that enable Marylanders to live more meaningful, fulfilling lives. The article noted she was appointed to fill a vacant seat when predecessor Ariana Kelly resigned following her appointment to lead the District 16 Senate seat.
“HB 901: Higher Education - Part-Time Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships - Alterations; HB 811: Higher Education - Financial Well-Being Pilot Program - Establishment”
Source“HB 1193: Housing Development Permits - Local Reporting Requirements (Maryland Housing Data Transparency Act)”
Source“Policymakers must create an ecosystem that allows entrepreneurs, small business owners, and workers to thrive.”
Source“HB 1013: State Employees - Paid Sick Leave - Certificate of Illness or Disability Signed by a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor”
Source“HB 1103: Miriam Kelty Aging and Senior Social Connection Hub and Spoke Pilot Program”
Source“HB 1316: Primary and Secondary Education - Youth-Centric Technology and Social Media Resource Guide”
Source“create an ecosystem in which human creativity and business can thrive”
Source“HB 910: Property Tax - Exemption for Blind Individuals - Alteration”
Source“develop and implement policies that rebuild our social fabric and enhance human flourishing and well-being”
Source