Ron Watson (politician)

Ron Watson
Watson in 2023
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 31, 2021
Appointed byLarry Hogan
Preceded byDouglas J. J. Peters
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 23B district
In office
January 9, 2019 – August 31, 2021
Preceded byJoseph F. Vallario Jr.
Succeeded byCheryl S. Landis
Personal details
Born
Ronald L. Watson

(1966-04-30) April 30, 1966 (age 58)
Seat Pleasant, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
Alma materMorgan State University (BS)
Binghamton University (MS, PhD)
George Washington University (MBA)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army Reserves
Years of service1989–2006
RankMajor

Ronald L. Watson (born April 30, 1966) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate representing District 23 since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented District 23B in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2019 to 2021, and served on the Prince George's County Board of Education from 2006 to 2010.

Early life and education

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Watson was born in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 1966.[1] His parents were both retired school principals.[2] Watson graduated from Central High School and attended Morgan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1991; Binghamton University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in advanced technology in 1993 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in systems science in 1999; and George Washington University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2002. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.[1]

Career

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Early career

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Watson served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1989 to 2006, during which he worked as a program manager at Lockheed Martin, IBM, and MCR. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2004. Since 2004, Watson has owned his own business, Watson Management Corporation.[1]

In 2006, Watson was elected to the Prince George's County Board of Education.[3] He served in this position until 2010.[1] Watson unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 23B in 2014, challenging incumbents Marvin E. Holmes Jr. and Joseph F. Vallario Jr.[4] He ran for the seat again in 2018, during which he defeated Vallario in a political upset.[5][6]

Maryland General Assembly

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Watson in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, 2024

Watson was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. During his tenure, he served on the Judiciary Committee, including its family law and juvenile law subcommittees.[1]

In August 2021, following the resignation of state Senator Douglas J. J. Peters, Watson applied to serve the remainder of Peters' term in the Maryland Senate. He was unanimously nominated to the seat by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee later that month,[7] and was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan on August 27.[8] Watson was sworn into the Maryland Senate on August 31, and was elected to a full four-year term in the 2022 Senate election.[9] He was a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 2021 to 2023, afterwards serving on the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.[1]

In 2024, Watson applied to run as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention pledged to Joe Biden, but was denied by the Maryland Democratic Party.[10]

Political positions

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In May 2009, after the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to cut funding for the Prince George's County Public Schools system, Watson voted to terminate the county board of education's $11 million lease for a new headquarters.[11]

During the 2020 legislative session, Watson criticized a bill that would allow couples to file for divorce while living in the same house, noting that it would allow people to file for divorce because of their spouse's inability to have sex due to a medical condition.[12]

During the 2021 legislative session, Watson introduced legislation creating a statewide referendum on renaming the Maryland Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Maryland, which passed[13] and was approved by voters in the 2022 elections.[14] He also introduced a bill to eliminate the four appointed positions from the Prince George's County Board of Education and make all elected positions at-large,[15][16] which died without a vote.[17]

During the 2022 legislative session, Watson introduced the Climate Equity Act, a bill that would require government agencies to assess the impacts of climate and labor before approving permits or projects,[18] and another bill that would make it illegal to send threats to health officers.[19] He also expressed concerns with proposal to raise the state's eviction notice filing fee from $15 to $65, which he said would penalize small landlords.[20][21]

During the 2023 legislative session, Watson introduced legislation to create a statewide referendum on legalizing online gambling[22] and another bill allowing municipalities to establish their own police accountability boards.[23] He also supported a bill to raise sentences for illegal gun possession and make knowingly selling someone a weapon used in a crime a felony offense.[24] He also supported efforts to locate the new Federal Bureau of Investigation's headquarters in Prince George's County.[25]

During the 2024 legislative session, Watson says he plans to introduce legislation that would allow parents to waive the requirement that a child must speak to an attorney before speaking to law enforcement and would require parents and children to complete counseling or substance abuse treatment classes administered by the Maryland Department of Social Services.[26] He also plans to support legislation to extend probationary periods for juveniles found guilty of firearm misdemeanors and felonies.[27]

Personal life

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Watson and his wife Ingrid with Governor Wes Moore, 2024

Watson is married to his wife, Ingrid Watson, who was elected to the Prince George's County Council in 2022.[28] Together, they have three children.[1]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 23B Democratic primary election, 2014[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (incumbent) 6,323 32.8
Democratic Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (incumbent) 5,284 27.4
Democratic Ron Watson 4,357 22.6
Democratic Thea Wilson 2,801 14.5
Democratic Reginald Tyer, Jr. 524 2.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 23B Democratic primary election, 2018[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Watson 8,869 29.5
Democratic Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (incumbent) 8,287 27.5
Democratic Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (incumbent) 6,519 21.7
Democratic Denise Tyler 3,132 10.4
Democratic Caleb L. Gilchrist 1,420 4.7
Democratic Pennie Parker 1,106 3.7
Democratic Paul Manicone 753 2.5
Maryland House of Delegates District 23B election, 2018[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Watson 30,579 50.5
Democratic Marvin E. Holmes Jr. (incumbent) 29,235 48.3
Write-in 685 1.1
Maryland Senate District 23 Democratic primary election, 2022[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Watson (incumbent) 10,359 42.6
Democratic Raaheela Ahmed 9,415 38.7
Democratic Sylvia Johnson 4,567 18.8
Maryland Senate District 23 election, 2022[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Watson (incumbent) 41,343 87.4
Republican Jesse Peed 5,886 12.4
Write-in 93 0.2

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Ronald L. Watson, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Hernández, Arelis R. (January 9, 2019). "Meet the freshman class of the Maryland General Assembly". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Nelson; Helderman, Rosalind S. (November 8, 2006). "Democrats' Picks Lead in School Board Race". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (May 5, 2014). "Rushern Baker endorses in local races, but makes no pick yet in governor's contest". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  5. ^ Chason, Rachel; Armus, Teo (June 27, 2018). "'Political earthquake': Progressives oust Democratic incumbents in statehouse primaries". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Lash, Steve (June 28, 2018). "Longtime House judiciary panel chair Vallario loses re-election bid". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (August 17, 2021). "Prince George's Democrats Tap Del. Watson For Vacant Senate Seat". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (August 27, 2021). "Hogan Appoints Del. Ron Watson to Fill Senate Vacancy". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2022). "Speaker's preferred candidate leading in open-seat Senate race — plus, other Senate results". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  10. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 22, 2024). "Selection process for Democratic convention delegates irks some lawmakers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "With a penalty of $4.8M, P.G. schools end HQ lease". Maryland Daily Record. May 20, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (January 24, 2020). "Proposed Bill Would Alter Maryland's Divorce Grounds". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Stole, Bryn (March 27, 2021). "Legislators OK bills to rename Maryland's 2 appeals courts; voters could decide question in 2022 referendum". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Lash, Steve (November 29, 2022). "Maryland's appellate courts will get new names Dec. 14". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Kazanjian, Glynis (February 1, 2021). "Two State Lawmakers Seek to Revamp Prince George's Schools' Management Structure". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. ^ Ford, William J. (January 14, 2021). "New Prince George's School Board Chair: 'It's a Team Effort' to Boost Education in the County". The Washington Informer. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  17. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 2, 2022). "Return to All-Elected School Board in Prince George's Is Likely, But Not This Year". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 3, 2022). "Bill Would Require Government Agencies to Consider Climate and Environmental Justice in their Decisions". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 21, 2022). "On 'Crossover Day,' Lawmakers Address Myriad Pandemic Challenges — And More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  20. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (February 4, 2022). "Frosh Urges Lawmakers to Raise Eviction Filing Fees". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  21. ^ Lash, Steve (February 3, 2023). "Frosh renews call for increase to eviction filing fee". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Maryland legislature to analyze legalizing online gaming like virtual table games and slot machines". The Baltimore Sun. February 17, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  23. ^ Ford, William J. (February 27, 2023). "Proposed legislation would allow Maryland municipalities to create police accountability boards". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 2, 2023). "Republicans revisit former Gov. Larry Hogan's crime bill, support legislation endorsed by new Baltimore prosecutor". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  25. ^ Ford, William J. (March 8, 2023). "Maryland officials plan final pitch for feds to relocate FBI headquarters to the state". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  26. ^ Ford, William J. (December 7, 2023). "Lawmakers, county officials discuss recent juvenile justice reforms and potential changes at annual meeting". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Ford, William J. (December 15, 2023). "Braveboy, Bates join to introduce legislative priorities before upcoming General Assembly session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  28. ^ "Maryland power couples, 2023 edition". Maryland Matters. February 14, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  30. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  31. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  32. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  33. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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