Sarah Elfreth
Democratic
Jurisdiction Anne Arundel County
Age: 36 on the day of the General Election (Nov. 5)
Occupation: Maryland Senator and Adjunct Professor
Education: Towson University, B.A. (political science), magna cum laude, 2010; The Johns Hopkins University, M.P.P. (public policy, education policy, social policy), 2012
Previous political experience: Maryland Senate 2019 – present
Why are you running for office?
With the chaos in national politics, this is no time to sit on the sidelines. In the Maryland Senate, I passed 84 laws in five years, all with bipartisan support. We have too many Representatives who focus on social media and cable news and not enough who are committed to doing the hard work of governing well. I am running because I believe Congress can still solve big problems and help people, and I want to be part of that work on Capitol Hill.
Do you believe, as President Joe Biden has said, that “democracy is on the ballot” and, if so, in what way?
Yes. Democracy is on the ballot in this election. In the Maryland Senate, I championed initiatives to protect voting rights and to make it easier for people to cast their ballots. In Congress, I will fight to take power away from special interests and give it to the people by co-sponsoring the For the People Act. Democracy is also on the ballot with our local board of education races. Our community opposes book bans and supports inclusion of all students, and I am proud to support school board candidates who share these values.
Will you accept the presidential election result once the totals have been certified by the states and any legal challenges adjudicated?
Yes.
Do you support additional assistance for Ukraine’s military forces two years into Russia’s invasion?
Yes. The fight in Ukraine is fundamentally about Russian autocracy versus western democracy, and we must stand with our small-d democratic allies in Ukraine.
Should the United States be speaking out more clearly, as Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has suggested, about civilian casualties in Gaza?
I was horrified by the events of October 7, 2023, and I condemn the attacks in the strongest terms possible. I support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, I favor a two state solution to the conflict, and I believe all of the hostages must be released. I mourn the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, and I strongly support providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians civilians.
Should Congress act to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision?
Yes. Like so many women across this nation, I woke up the morning after the Dobbs decision with fewer rights than I had the day before. In Maryland, we took action to protect abortion rights, including an amendment to enshrine reproductive rights in the State Constitution, and I championed funding for security at abortion clinics and expanding training for providers. In Congress, I will fight to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land because people in red states deserve the same access to abortion healthcare as those of us in blue states.
Constituents are increasingly expressing concern about suburban crime. What more can the federal government do to help?
The federal government needs to do more to prevent gun violence, including banning assault weapons, requiring background checks, and cracking down on illegal guns. It also needs to invest in modernizing policing, which includes expanding grants for evidence-based, community-oriented policing programs like that of Anne Arundel County’s world-recognized Crisis Response Team. Finally, it needs to invest more in behavioral health and substance abuse treatment programs.
During his time in Congress, John Sarbanes was widely seen as a leader in political reform including reducing the influence of big-monied interests. Do you see an obligation to carry on that legacy?
Yes. The Supreme Court gutted our campaign finance system and the Voting Rights Act, which has made it harder for Black and Brown voters to participate fully in our democracy. Representative Sarbanes has been an incredible champion for making our electoral system more inclusive, and I will proudly continue his work to strengthen our democracy. I will cosponsor the For the People Act and fight to protect and expand voting rights, create a more ethical and accountable government, and reduce the influence of money in politics.