Introduction
Brian J. Feldman (born February 4, 1961) is an American politician and a member of the State Senate in the State of Maryland, representing district 15 in western and northern Montgomery County. He previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates. Before election to office, Feldman was an attorney with the United States Department of Justice and currently is in private practice.
In the legislature
Feldman currently sits on the Senate Finance Committee and is Vice-Chair of the Committee.
Career
Brian J. Feldman was first elected in 2002 to represent the 15th Legislative District in the Maryland House of Delegates and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. In the House, Brian served on the House Economic Matters Committee and chaired its Banking, Economic Development, Science and Technology Subcommittee. After the 2010 election, Speaker Mike Busch appointed Brian to the leadership position of House Parliamentarian. He also served as the House Chair of the Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee and Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation from 2007-2012.
In September 2013, Brian was appointed to the Maryland State Senate to fill a seat vacated by Senator Rob Garagiola. In 2014, he was elected to a full 4-year term and then re-elected in 2018. Brian serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
From 1988 to 2001, Brian served as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he was a 3-time recipient of the Justice Department's prestigious "Outstanding Attorney Award." Prior to his service with the Department of Justice, Brian worked as an Attorney/CPA at Price Waterhouse. He currently practices law with a Maryland law firm that specializes in tax litigation and tax controversies. Brian is the only Attorney/CPA in the Maryland General Assembly.
Senator Feldman received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Penn State University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and a master's degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Brian currently serves as an adjunct professor at both Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland, teaching graduate courses on state policymaking, federalism and healthcare policy.
Senator Feldman's tenure in the General Assembly has been distinguished by his successful sponsorship of legislation promoting clean energy and the creation of green jobs, improving the region’s transportation infrastructure, growing Maryland's biotechnology sector, and improving electric service provider reliability. As Co-Chair of Maryland’s Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission, Senator Feldman is currently at the center of the debate on how best to increase access to health insurance and curb rising prices in health care and prescription drugs for Marylanders.
In 2008, Brian was elected by Maryland voters to serve as an Obama Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He was subsequently selected to serve as an Advisor to the Obama Department of Justice Transition Team.
In 2014, Brian was appointed to serve on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Board of Directors. Also in 2014, Brian joined the Board of Directors of Montgomery Hospice.
Awards/Honors
- 2019 Climate Champion, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
- 2018 Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year
- Women Legislators of Maryland’s 2018 Legislative Champion
- The Maryland Public Health Association 2017 Michaeline R. Fedder Legislator of the Year Award
- The Maryland State Medical Society 2017 Legislative Award
- 2016 Climate Champion Award from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network
- 2016 Leadership Award from the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
- 2016 Max Teichmann Award, MD Association of CPAs
- 2016 Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, Arc Maryland
- 2015 Legislative Leadership Award from the Maryland Association of Community Services
- 2015 Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, Arc Maryland
- 2014 Legislative Leadership Award, Maryland Clean Energy Center
- 2009 Advocate of the Year Award, Technology Council of Maryland
- 2008 Legislator of the Year Award, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
- 2008 "Champion of Small Business" from the National Coalition for Capital
- 2007 Alumni Service Award, The Johns Hopkins University
- 2007 Leadership Award, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
- 2007 Outstanding Leadership Award, Apartment and Office Building Ass. Of Metro Washington
- 2006 Charlie L. Binstead WMDA Industry Achievement Award
- 2005 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) National Legislator of the Year
- 2005 Public Service Award, League of Korean Americans of MD
- 2004 Legislator of the Year Award, Semmes, Bowen & Semmes
- 2004 Chair Award, Maryland Association of CPAs
- 3-Time recipient of U.S. Justice Department's "Outstanding Attorney Award" 1991, 1993, 1997
Legislative notes
- Voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)
- Voted for the Healthy Air Act in 2006(SB154)
- Voted against slots in 2005 (HB1361)
- Voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6)
Election results
- 2018 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 15
- Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome "Brian J. Feldman", Democrat 38,771 72.0% Won David Wilson, Republican 15,000 27.9% Lost
- 2014 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 15
- Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome "Brian J. Feldman", Democrat 19,925 60.4% Won Robin Ficker, Republican 13,028 39.5% Lost
- 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 15
- Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Kathleen M. Dumais, Democrat 25,781 21.6% Won Brian J. Feldman, Democrat 25,760 21.6% Won Craig L. Rice, Democrat 20,202 17.0% Won Jean B. Cryor, Republican 20,050 16.8% Lost Brian Mezger, Republican 14,112 11.8% Lost Chris Pilkerton, Republican 13,174 11.1% Lost
- 2002 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 15
- Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Jean B. Cryor, Republican 20,584 18.7% Won Brian J. Feldman, Democrat 19,719 17.9% Won Kathleen M. Dumais, Democrat 19,246 17.5% Won John Young, Democrat 17,358 15.8% Lost William Ferner Askinazi, Republican 16,693 15.2% Lost Mary Kane, Republican 16,579 15.0% Lost Other Write-Ins 42 0.0% Lost