Anne Kaiser

Early life and education

Kaiser was born in Washington, D.C. on February 10, 1968, to father Jesse and mother Marian. She was raised in a Republican household, graduating from Rockville High School and later attending the University of Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1990, and the University of Michigan, where she earned a Master of Public Policy degree and a Master of Arts degree in educational studies in 1995.

Career

After graduating from the University of Chicago, Kaiser worked as a staff assistant to U.S. Representative Neal Smith and Maryland state delegate Henry B. Heller, and as an intern for the Congressional Budget Office. While attending the University of Michigan, she worked as a teaching assistant for the university and as a policy analyst for the Maryland Department of Education. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Kaiser worked as a policy analyst for the United States Department of the Treasury until 2002. As of 2022, Kaiser works as a teacher at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.

Kaiser first became involved in politics during her sophomore year in college, when she encouraged her parents to vote in local elections despite being opposite political parties. From 1997 to 1998, she was the president of the Montgomery County Political Action Committee and the District 19 Democratic Central Club. Afterwards, Kaiser was elected to serve as a member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee until 2002.

Maryland House of Delegates

Kaiser was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 8, 2003. She served as a member of the Ways and Means Committee from 2003 to 2021, and as its chair from 2017 to 2021, afterwards serving as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee until 2025. In December 2025, House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk named Healey as the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee.

From 2015 to 2017, Kaiser served as the majority leader of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Kaiser served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and 2020.

Political positions

Education

During the 2006 legislative session, Kaiser supported a bill that would weigh kids in schools.

In April 2011, Kaiser spoke in support of Maryland's Dream Act, a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.

During the 2012 legislative session, Kaiser introduced a bill that would allow the Comptroller of Maryland to "garnish" a county's tax revenues to fully fund its school systems. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.

In December 2014, Kaiser said that she would not support proposals by Governor-elect Larry Hogan to remove school boards' ability to authorize charter schools, but expressed openness to removing regulations from private schools. In November 2019, she criticized Hogan's objections to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reforms. During the 2020 legislative session, Kaiser opposed legislation that would mandate a post-Labor Day start day for school districts.

Israel

In November 2023, Kaiser was one of 19 Jewish members of the Maryland General Assembly to sign onto a letter condemning a statement released by CASA de Maryland calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war.

Social issues

In February 2006, Kaiser voted against a bill that would amend the Maryland Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state. She supported the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland, and bills to ban discrimination against transgender people. Kaiser has also criticized Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill and opposed attempts to pass similar legislation in Maryland. During the 2023 legislative session, she introduced the Trans Health Equity Act, which would require the state's Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming treatment.

During the 2006 legislative session, Kaiser voted for a bill to provide $25 million a year toward stem cell research.

In 2012, Kaiser supported a bill that would allow the Montgomery County Council to ban panhandling.

During the 2015 legislative session, Kaiser introduced legislation that would create a ballot referendum on holding special elections when there is a vacancy in a county executive's seat.

Taxes

During the 2004 legislative session, Kaiser voted for a bill to raise over $1 billion in taxes by increasing the state sales tax and creating higher income tax brackets for wealthier Marylanders. In 2013, she supported legislation to index the state's gas tax to inflation to pay for transportation projects.

During the 2018 legislative session, Kaiser voted for a bill that would provide $5.6 billion in tax incentives to Amazon to build their second headquarters in Montgomery County.

In January 2019, Kaiser rejected calls from Governor Larry Hogan during his State of the State Address to pass more than $500 million in tax cuts, including in retirees' income and small business, calling them "pure fantasy".

In November 2019, Kaiser said that she supported the legalization and taxation of marijuana to fund the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reforms.

Transportation

During the 2004 legislative session, Kaiser supported legislation to block construction of the Intercounty Connector. In December 2018, she criticized Governor Larry Hogan for not consulting with Montgomery County officials in creating a plan to expand Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway, and said that she favored a proposal by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on improving the American Legion Memorial Bridge.

Personal life

Kaiser came out as lesbian in March 2004, while testifying for a bill that would allow domestic partners to make medical decisions for each other. She is married to her wife, Nancy Lineman, and together they have one child, born in May 2019.

Kaiser is Jewish and is a member of the Tikvat Israel Congregation.

Electoral history

References

References

1. "Anne R. Kaiser, Maryland State Delegate". [[Maryland State Archives]].
2. (February 9, 2022). "Political Notes: Kaiser Running Again, Scott Named Co-Chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns". [[Maryland Matters]].
3. (12 April 2023). "Anne Kaiser".
4. (January 17, 2017). "Hixson steps down from Maryland House leadership post, causing shuffle". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
5. (November 2, 2021). "Montgomery County Del. Dumais named judge, will be fifth legislator to depart since General Assembly session ended". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
6. (December 30, 2025). "Peña-Melnyk unveils House leadership shake-up, expands standing committees". [[Maryland Matters]].
7. (November 24, 2014). "Anne Kaiser appointed Md. House majority leader". [[The Washington Blade]].
8. (March 29, 2006). "Lawmakers reject plans to weigh schoolkids". [[The Star Democrat]].
9. (April 8, 2011). "House begins its debate on in-state tuition bill". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
10. (April 5, 2011). "In-state tuition bill picks up support in Md. House committee". [[The Washington Post]].
11. (March 24, 2012). "Assembly forces counties to pay for schools". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
12. (December 17, 2014). "Hogan says he'll push for charter schools". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
13. (February 22, 2020). "Lawmakers Likely to Dismiss Hogan's School Start Bill Despite Breezy Hearing". [[Maryland Matters]].
14. (November 16, 2023). "Foundation pulls CASA funding as lawmakers seek formal apology". [[Maryland Matters]].
15. (December 24, 2006). "House rejects reviving gay marriage measure". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
16. (January 27, 2008). "Gay marriage bills proposed with almost 50 cosponsors". [[The Star Democrat]].
17. (March 13, 2011). "Same sex marriage likely dead". [[The Star Democrat]].
18. (February 18, 2012). "How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
19. (April 6, 2011). "Transgender protection bill faces steep climb in Md. Senate". [[The Washington Post]].
20. (July 7, 2022). "Gay, lesbian Md. General Assembly incumbents seek re-election". [[The Washington Blade]].
21. (March 18, 2022). "House of Delegates Rejects Florida-Like Amendment to School Anti-Discrimination Bill". [[Maryland Matters]].
22. (March 18, 2023). "Maryland House passes scores of bills, including Trans Health Equity Act, during extended weekend session". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
23. (March 21, 2023). "MoCo delegate's trans health care bill passes, bucking national trend of anti-trans legislation". [[MoCo360]].
24. (March 4, 2006). "Stem cell research funds get House OK". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
25. (November 28, 2011). "Montgomery lawmakers push panhandling ban". [[The Star Democrat]].
26. (October 26, 2014). "Special elections for mayor, county executives?". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
27. (March 26, 2004). "House approves Busch's tax package". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
28. (April 10, 2013). "MoCo Annapolis Delegation Celebrates Transportation Bill". [[MoCo360]].
29. (April 4, 2018). "Md. Lawmakers OK Amazon Incentive Package". [[The Washington Informer]].
30. (April 4, 2018). "Maryland OKs $8.5 billion in incentives to lure Amazon, biggest offer in nation". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
31. (January 30, 2019). "Gov. Hogan calls for targeted tax cuts, school oversight and tougher sentencing in 'State of the State' speech". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
32. (November 23, 2019). "Kirwan and His Supporters Exchange Words With Hogan's Team". [[Maryland Matters]].
33. (February 13, 2004). "Lawmakers try to throw wrench into ICC construction plans". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
34. (December 13, 2018). "Elrich Suggests Hogan Focus on Improving American Legion Bridge Instead of Adding Toll Lanes to Beltway, I-270". [[MoCo360]].
35. (March 5, 2004). "Delegate uses personal story to back gay partnerships". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
36. (March 5, 2004). "Delegate testifies she's gay: Anne Kaiser 'outs' herself supporting partner rights bill". [[Frederick News-Post]].
37. (February 22, 2016). "Anne Kaiser: A Woman in the Boys' Club". [[MoCo360]].
38. (December 23, 2019). "Maryland's Power Couples". [[Maryland Matters]].
39. (May 22, 2019). "@DelegateKaiser". Twitter.
40. (April 19, 2021). "Jewish Lawmakers Upbraid Colleague, But Their Letter Goes Unanswered". [[Maryland Matters]].
41. (March 19, 2003). "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 14".
42. "2002 Gubernatorial Election".
43. "Official 2022 Election Results".