Luke Clippinger

Luke Clippinger
Clippinger in 2024
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 46th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2011
Preceded byCarolyn J. Krysiak
Personal details
Born (1972-09-24) September 24, 1972 (age 52)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationBaltimore Polytechnic Institute
Earlham College (BA)
University of Louisville (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website
Campaign website

Luke H. Clippinger (born September 24, 1972) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the state's 46th district in Baltimore, since 2011.

Early life and education

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Clippinger was born in Baltimore on September 24, 1972. He graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and attended Earlham College, where he served as the manager of the WECI radio station[1] and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics in 1994, and the University of Louisville, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2005. He was admitted to the Maryland State Bar Association in 2007.[2]

Political career

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Clippinger says he has been involved in politics since he was seven years old as a worker in Mary Pat Clarke's city council campaign.[3]

While attending Earlham, Clippinger conducted polls for various elections in Wayne County, Indiana,[4] served as the communications director for the Wayne County Democratic Party from 1992 to 1994, and ran unsuccessfully for Wayne Township assessor in 1994.[5] After graduating, he interned for Indiana state senators Lindel Hume and Joe O'Day during the 1995 legislative session, afterwards working as an office manager for Baltimore mayoral election candidate Mary Pat Clarke. In 1996, Clippinger worked as an intern and was later named to manage the re-election campaign of U.S. Representative Lee Hamilton.[5] He worked as a community development specialist for the Indiana Department of Commerce until 1998,[6] when he was named to manage the campaign of congressional candidate Baron Hill[7] and, following his election to Congress, became Hill's district director until 2005.[2]

In 2006, Clippinger was named as the campaign manager for Tom Perez's short-lived campaign for Attorney General of Maryland.[2] Afterwards, he worked as a spokesperson for Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's mayoral campaign[8] and as an assistant state's attorney in Anne Arundel County since 2007. Clippinger served as a member of the platform committee at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[2]

In the legislature

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Clippinger (center) and other members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus with Governor Wes Moore, 2023

In 2010, Clippinger ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 46, seeking to succeed retiring state delegate Carolyn J. Krysiak.[9] He won the Democratic primary election in September, placing third with 18.7 percent of the vote.[10]

Clippinger was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee from 2011 to 2015, afterwards serving in the Economic Matters Committee before returning to the Judiciary Committee as its chair in 2019. Clippinger served as the chair of the Democratic Party Caucus from 2015 to 2018.[2]

Personal life

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Clippinger is openly gay.[9] He attends the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.[2]

In April 2016, Clippinger said that he experienced "significant fatigue" at the end of the 2016 legislative session, and in June he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. In January 2017, he said that the cancer was in remission.[11]

Political positions

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Maryland Matters has described Clippinger as a "leader of the progressive wing" in the House.[12]

Business

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During the 2018 legislative session, Clippinger supported the Reform on Tap Act, a bill backed by Comptroller Peter Franchot to deregulate the state's craft beer industry.[13]

In 2022, Clippinger supported legislation that would require companies on The Block in Baltimore to close at 10 p.m. nightly.[14]

Crime and policing

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During the 2014 legislative session, Clippinger introduced "Jake's Law", a bill that would increase penalties for drivers who cause fatal accidents while texting and driving. The bill was named for Jake Owen, a five-year-old boy who was killed in a 2011 crash caused by a driver who was talking on his phone.[15] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.[16]

In July 2017, Clippinger and other lawmakers from District 46 released an "anti-violence plan" that called for increased funding for social programs and strengthened gun laws.[17]

During the 2019 legislative session, Clippinger introduced a bill that would require police trial boards to release audio from their hearings under the state Open Meetings Act.[18] The bill passed the House of Delegates, but died in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.[19]

In May 2020, Clippinger expressed disappointment with Governor Larry Hogan's veto of a bill to increase funding for the Baltimore Police Department for 10 high-crime "microzones" in the city.[20]

During the 2021 legislative session, Clippinger introduced a bill to remove the governor of Maryland from the state's parole board.[21] The bill passed, but was vetoed by Hogan.[22]

In 2023, Clippinger supported legislation that would give the attorney general of Maryland sole prosecutorial power over cases involving police-involved deaths.[23]

Education

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In August 2019, Clippinger signed onto a letter calling for the Maryland State Department of Education to add lessons on LGBT and disability rights movements into social studies curriculum.[24] The Department of Education agreed to update its curriculum to include this material two weeks after it was sent.[25]

Gun policy

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During the 2022 legislative session, Clippinger supported a bill to ban privately made firearms.[26] He also defended a bill that would require firearms dealers to install security devices, including 24-hour burglary alarm systems and security bars.[27]

In 2023, Clippinger introduced legislation to increase the requirements and fees to obtain a handgun permit.[28] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.[29]

Marijuana

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During the 2022 legislative session, Clippinger supported legislation creating a statewide referendum on legalizing recreational cannabis in Maryland.[30] He also introduced a bill establishing the framework for the state's cannabis industry,[31] which passed and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[32]

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During the 2017 legislative session, Clippinger introduced the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, a bill that would allow workers to accrue up to seven days of paid sick leave a year.[33] The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan;[34] lawmakers voted to override Hogan's veto during the 2018 legislative session.[35]

Social issues

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Clippinger speaks at the Question 6 victory party, 2012

During the 2011 legislative session, Clippinger supported the Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.[36] He supported it again when it was reintroduced in 2012,[37] during which it passed and was signed into law.[38] Clippinger opposed Question 6, a 2012 referendum to repeal the Civil Marriage Protection Act.[39][40]

During the 2013 legislative session, Clippinger attended a rally at the Maryland State House to support a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender people.[41] He reintroduced the bill in 2014,[42] during which it passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.[43]

During the 2014 legislative session, Clippinger introduced legislation to ban conversion therapy on minors.[44] In 2020, he supported legislation to repeal sodomy as a criminal offense.[45] Clippinger supported the bill when it was reintroduced during the 2023 legislative session, during which it passed and became law without Governor Wes Moore's signature.[46]

In April 2015, after the Indiana General Assembly passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Clippinger penned an open letter inviting Indiana businesses to relocate to Maryland.[47]

In April 2019, Clippinger called for the resignation of Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh amid the Healthy Holly scandal.[48]

Electoral history

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Wayne Township Assessor election, 1994[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Statzer (incumbent) 6,887 64.3
Democratic Luke Clippinger 3,830 35.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 46 Democratic primary election, 2010[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter A. Hammen (incumbent) 5,632 26.0
Democratic Brian K. McHale (incumbent) 4,128 19.0
Democratic Luke Clippinger 4,052 18.7
Democratic Bill Romani 3,410 15.7
Democratic Jason Filippou 2,503 11.5
Democratic Melissa A. Techentin 1,962 9.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 46 election, 2010[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter A. Hammen (incumbent) 15,367 29.6
Democratic Brian K. McHale (incumbent) 14,871 28.6
Democratic Luke Clippinger 14,159 27.3
Republican Roger Bedingfield 7,338 14.1
Write-in 205 0.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 46 election, 2014[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brooke Lierman 13,889 24.6
Democratic Peter A. Hammen (incumbent) 13,217 23.4
Democratic Luke Clippinger (incumbent) 12,680 22.5
Republican Roger D. Bedingfield 6,113 10.8
Republican Joseph "Joh" Sedtal 5,275 9.4
Republican Duane Shelton 5,115 9.1
Write-in 117 0.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 46 election, 2018[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brooke Lierman (incumbent) 23,711 28.6
Democratic Luke Clippinger (incumbent) 23,023 27.8
Democratic Robbyn Lewis 22,582 27.3
Republican Jeremy Baron 6,879 8.3
Republican Nicholas Wentworth 6,324 7.6
Write-in 289 0.3
Maryland House of Delegates District 46 election, 2022[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robbyn Lewis (incumbent) 22,274 30.8
Democratic Luke Clippinger (incumbent) 22,162 30.7
Democratic Mark Edelson 22,103 30.6
Republican Pete Waters 5,492 7.6
Write-in 265 0.4

References

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  1. ^ Mogollon, C. David (October 16, 1992). "42 percent undecided in local poll". Palladium-Item. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Luke H. Clippinger, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Frisone, Nick (3 November 2022). "Election Spotlight with Delegate Luke Clippinger". Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Mogollon, C. David (October 14, 1992). "Phone poll planned tonight". Palladium-Item. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Congressman Lee Hamilton Names Manager". Jackson County Banner. March 7, 1996. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "State official explains grants to Gaston board". The Star Press. November 23, 1997. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Baron Hill Names Campaign Manager". Jackson County Banner. April 9, 1998. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Reddy, Sumanthi (July 25, 2007). "Police union backs challengers". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b Charing, Steve (June 3, 2010). "Growing number of gays on ballot in Maryland". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (September 15, 2010). "House of Delegates loses few incumbents". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  11. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (January 24, 2017). "Md. delegate diagnosed with cancer speaks personally about paid sick-leave bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 19, 2018). "Josh Kurtz: In Luke They Trust". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  13. ^ Case, Wesley; Dresser, Michael (March 16, 2018). "Beer reform taps out as Maryland House panel rejects Franchot brewery bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  14. ^ Stole, Bryn; Wood, Pamela (January 21, 2022). "Baltimore businesses rally against bill proposing 10 p.m. closing time on The Block". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Johnson, Jenna (April 2, 2014). "Senate changes to 'Jake's Law' undermine purpose of safety bill, advocates say". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "Maryland Passes 'Jake's Law,' Bill On Distracted Driving". WJZ-TV. April 7, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Broadwater, Luke (July 18, 2017). "Southeast Baltimore lawmakers release anti-violence plan". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  18. ^ Broadwater, Luke (March 26, 2019). "Anton Black's family frustrated as 'Anton's Law' sits in drawer and another police transparency bill advances". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  19. ^ Kazanjian, Glynis (October 9, 2019). "Lawmakers Regroup to Rework Police Transparency Bills". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  20. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (May 7, 2020). "Citing economic hit from coronavirus, Gov. Hogan vetoes legislation to improve Maryland schools, allows Pimlico bill to become law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (January 20, 2021). "Lawmakers, Advocates Continue Push to Remove Governor From Parole Process". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  22. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (April 13, 2021). "Legislature Votes to Remove Governor From the Parole Process". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  23. ^ Sanderlin, Lee O. (March 7, 2023). "Maryland state's attorneys fight against bill that would give attorney general more prosecution powers". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (August 21, 2019). "Md. school officials developing LGBT curriculum". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  25. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (August 13, 2019). "Update: State Department of Ed Working on LGBT, Disability Rights Curricula". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (January 25, 2022). "Advocates Call for Ghost Gun Ban as Senators Debate Right Approach to Rising Crime Rates". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 9, 2022). "With Legislative Overrides, Paid Leave and Abortion Access Bills Become Law in Maryland". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  28. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (April 8, 2023). "Maryland lawmakers send cannabis legalization, gun control bills to governor ahead of Monday deadline". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  29. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (May 16, 2023). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs laws restricting who can carry firearms and where they can carry them". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  30. ^ Gardner, Hayes (July 1, 2023). "A new era: Legalization of recreational cannabis in Maryland to grow market to more than 4.5 million adults". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  31. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 23, 2022). "House Advances Measure Establishing Marijuana Referendum". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  32. ^ Cox, Erin; Wiggins, Ovetta (May 3, 2022). "Hogan vetoes increased abortion access, paid family leave in Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  33. ^ Wood, Pamela (February 23, 2017). "Sick leave bill advances in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  34. ^ Dresser, Michael (May 25, 2017). "Hogan vetoes Maryland Democrats' paid sick leave bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Cox, Erin (February 15, 2018). "Many Maryland workers can now accrue paid sick time off as law takes effect". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  36. ^ Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (March 10, 2011). "Md. House debating marriage". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  37. ^ Charing, Steve (January 19, 2012). "Lawmakers weigh in on Md. marriage bill". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  38. ^ Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (January 24, 2012). "O'Malley says marriage bill brings dignity, religious freedom". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  39. ^ Reese, Phil (February 18, 2012). "Marylanders celebrate as House OKs marriage bill". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  40. ^ Linskey, Annie; Scharper, Julie; Siegel, Andrea F. (November 7, 2012). "Supporters of same-sex marriage celebrate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  41. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (February 27, 2013). "Md. lawmakers hold hearing on trans rights bill". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  42. ^ Charing, Steve (February 18, 2014). "Supporters rally for trans rights in Md". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  43. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (November 11, 2014). "Advocates confident Larry Hogan will leave LGBT laws intact". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  44. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (January 8, 2014). "Trans rights bill, ex-gay therapy ban top Maryland legislative agenda". The Washington Blade.
  45. ^ Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (February 25, 2020). "Maryland House votes to repeal sodomy law". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  46. ^ "Bill to repeal Md. sodomy law to take effect without governor's signature". The Washington Blade. May 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  47. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (April 2, 2015). "Hogan rejects request to ban state-funded travel to Indiana". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  48. ^ Wellemeyer, James (April 12, 2019). "Baltimore's LGBT lawmakers mixed on Pugh's future". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  49. ^ "Wayne Co. totals for judges, townships, towns". Palladium-Item – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  51. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  52. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  53. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  54. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
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