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Andrew Pruski
Pruski in 2022
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 33A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2023
Preceded bySid Saab
Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Council
In office
December 3, 2018 – December 2, 2019
Preceded byMichael Peroutka
Succeeded byAllison Pickard
Member of the Anne Arundel County Council
from the 4th district
In office
December 1, 2014 – December 5, 2022
Preceded byJamie Benoit
Succeeded byJulie Hummer
Personal details
Born
Andrew Christopher Pruski

(1978-11-11) November 11, 1978 (age 46)
Batavia, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNiagara University (BA, MS)
OccupationSocial studies teacher
WebsiteCampaign website

Andrew Christopher Pruski[1] (born November 11, 1978) is an American politician. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 33A in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was previously a member of the Anne Arundel County Council from 2014 to 2022, serving as its chair from 2018 to 2019 and its vice-chair from 2021 to 2022.[2]

Background

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Pruski was born in Batavia, New York, on November 11, 1978. He graduated from Niagara University, earning his Bachelor of Arts in history in 2000 and his Master of Science in secondary education in 2001.[2]

Shortly after graduating, Pruski became a social studies teacher at Frederick Douglass High School.[3] In October 2003, he participated in a school employees protest at the Prince George's County Public Schools headquarters over stalled contract negotiations and persistent payroll errors.[4] Although the school board reached a contract with the teachers' union in December, Pruski expressed discontent with the deal, saying "There are a lot of issues on the table we need to discuss. It's not just the contract."[5] Pruski later worked as an assessment supervisor for Baltimore County Public Schools from 2005 to 2014, and for Prince George's County Public Schools since 2014.[2]

Pruski entered politics in 2006, running unsuccessfully for the Anne Arundel County Council and losing to Jamie Benoit in the Democratic primary.[6] In the same year, he was appointed to the Anne Arundel County Board of Appeals,[2] where he served until 2009, when he was appointed to the Anne Arundel County Board of Education by Governor Martin O'Malley.[7][8]

In August 2013, Pruski announced that he would again run for the Anne Arundel County Council in District 4.[6][9] Pruski narrowly won the Democratic primary on June 24, 2014, edging out his opponent by 151 votes.[10] Afterwards, Pruski resigned from the Anne Arundel County Board of Education, complying with a state law that prohibits candidates from appearing on a general election ballot for more than one paid position.[11][12] Pruski won the general election on November 4, defeating Republican challenger Chike Anyanwu with 57.5 percent of the vote.[13]

Anne Arundel County Council

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Pruski was sworn into the Anne Arundel County Council on December 1, 2014.[2] He was re-elected in 2018, making him the only incumbent council member who was not term limited and was not defeated in the primary election. In December 2018, Pruski was unanimously elected to serve as the county council's chairman.[14]

In September 2021, Pruski said he was considering a run for the Maryland House of Delegates, but said his decision depended on the legislative maps drawn by the General Assembly.[15] He filed to run for delegate in District 33, later being redrawn into District 33A, in December.[3] He won the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022, receiving 52.2 percent of the vote.[16] He won the general election on November 8, defeating Republican challenger Kim Mills.[17]

In the legislature

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Pruski in the Economic Matters Committee, 2024

Pruski was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 11, 2023.[18] He is a member of the House Economic Matters Committee.[19] Pruski was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.[20]

Personal life

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Pruski is married to his wife, Roxanne, who as of 2013 is an assistant at Broadneck High School.[6] Together, they have three children and live in Gambrills, Maryland.[2][3]

Political positions

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Education

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Pruski supports the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a sweeping education reform bill passed by the legislature during the 2020 legislative session that would provide schools with $3.8 billion a year for 10 years, but thinks that teachers should be paid more apart from the raises outlined in the Blueprint.[3]

In January 2010, Pruski voted against the expansion of charter middle schools through ninth grade.[21]

In May 2019, Pruski said he supported county executive Steuart Pittman's first budget, which included $46 million in additional funding for education paid for through increased income and property taxes.[22]

Environment

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In March 2015, Pruski said he opposed a full repeal of Maryland's "Rain Tax", but supported finding ways to reduce the fees imposed by the tax.[23] In April, he voted against bills that would repeal the stormwater fee in Anne Arundel County.[24]

In October 2016, Pruski wrote to the Anne Arundel County Delegation to ask legislators to support a bill that would ban fracking during the 2017 legislative session.[25]

Gun control

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In January 2022, Pruski introduced a bill that requires gun store owners to install video surveillance, exterior bollards, and concrete barriers to prevent smash-and-grab style burglaries at gun stores. The bill passed and was signed into law by county executive Steuart Pittman on January 4, 2022.[26]

Housing

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In June 2019, Pruski introduced a bill that would give workforce housing a 50 percent discount on capital connection charges and expands the types of zones allowing that housing.[27]

In June 2020, Pruski voted against a bill that would limit where assisted living facilities could be built in residential areas.[28]

In July 2020, Pruski introduced a bill that would pause rent increases of 3 percent or more during the COVID-19 pandemic, until 120 days after the state's emergency declaration is lifted.[29] The bill passed in a 4-3 vote.[30]

Marijuana

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In September 2015, Pruski introduced a bill that would limit where medical marijuana dispensaries could be built.[31]

National politics

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In July 2019, Pruski endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.[32][33]

In February 2021, Pruski voted for a resolution that condemned the January 6 United States Capitol attack and called for the disqualification of President Donald Trump from holding office again.[34]

Social issues

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In September 2018, Pruski voted against a resolution introduced by councilmember Michael Peroutka that would have recognized "preborn" children as human and deserving of humane treatment and protection.[35] In July 2022, following the Supreme Court's decisions in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Pruski voted for a resolution in the Anne Arundel County Council supporting a women's access to reproductive health care.[36]

Electoral history

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Anne Arundel County Council District 4 Democratic primary election, 2006[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jamie Benoit (incumbent) 3,944 68.9
Democratic Devin F. Tucker 862 15.1
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski 631 11.0
Democratic Walter Kenneth Moody 290 5.1
Anne Arundel County Council District 4 Democratic primary election, 2014[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski 1,508 36.1
Democratic Scott Hymes 1,361 32.6
Democratic Devin F. Tucker 1,307 31.3
Anne Arundel County Council District 4 election, 2014[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski 12,239 57.5
Republican E. "Chike" Anyanwu 9,008 42.3
Write-in 30 0.1
Anne Arundel County Council District 4 Democratic primary election, 2018[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski (incumbent) 5,225 100.0
Anne Arundel County Council District 4 election, 2018[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski (incumbent) 20,830 66.0
Republican Torrey J. Snow 10,685 33.9
Write-in 25 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 33A Democratic primary election, 2022[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew C. Pruski 1,959 52.2
Democratic Marguerite R. Morris 1,338 35.7
Democratic Michael J. Sopata 455 12.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 33A election, 2022[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrew Pruski 9,772 67.17
Republican Kim Mills 4,765 32.75
Write-in 11 0.08

References

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  1. ^ a b "Anne Arundel County Primary Election Returns". Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. Maryland State Archives. September 12, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Andrew C. Pruski, County Council, Anne Arundel County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. December 5, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Munro, Dana (January 14, 2022). "Anne Arundel County Council Democrat Andrew Pruski files to run for District 33 seat in House of Delegates". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  4. ^ Trejos, Nancy (October 24, 2003). "Pr. George's School Employees Protest Outside Board Meeting". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  5. ^ Trejos, Nancy (December 23, 2003). "Prince George's Schools, Teachers Settle on 2%". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Lemke, Tim (July 30, 2013). "Pruski to Seek District 4 Council Seat". Patch. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Fuller, Nicole (August 8, 2009). "Pruski appointed to Arundel school board". The Baltimore Sun. ProQuest 406240166. Retrieved November 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Lemke, Tim (July 11, 2012). "School Board Elects Pruski as Next President". Patch. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Burris, Joe (July 31, 2013). "Pruski to run for Anne Arundel council seat". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  10. ^ Hainesworth, Sarah (June 25, 2014). "Council race in Arundel District 4 decided by 150 votes". The Capital. Capital Gazette. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Pegher, Kelcie (July 9, 2014). "Andrew Pruski resigns from Anne Arundel school board". The Capital. Capital Gazette. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Burris, Joe (July 10, 2014). "Pruski's exit from school board for County Council run leaves seat unfilled". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Anne Arundel County". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
  14. ^ Cook, Chase (December 3, 2018). "New Anne Arundel council takes office, names Pruski chairman". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 14, 2021). "In Changing Anne Arundel District, GOP Leaders Embrace Lawyer to Replace Del. Malone". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Munro, Dana (September 26, 2022). "Anne Arundel candidates gear up for the November general election. Here's what you need to know". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Munro, Dana (November 14, 2022). "Nathan Volke declares victory in Anne Arundel County Council District 3 race; winners emerge in other races". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "Andrew C. Pruski, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 21, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 5, 2023). "Jones announces new Democratic caucus, committee leaders for 2023 General Assembly session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  20. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2024). "Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Fuller, Nicole (January 24, 2010). "Charter School Gets Expansion OK". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  22. ^ Cook, Chase (May 1, 2019). "Pittman's first budget includes back raises for teachers, tax increases". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  23. ^ Rahman, Rema (March 1, 2015). "Council to get dueling 'rain tax' bills". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  24. ^ Rahman, Rema (April 7, 2015). "Council defeats proposals to change stormwater fees". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  25. ^ Yeager, Amanda (October 12, 2016). "Anne Arundel Council members support fracking ban". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Munro, Dana (January 4, 2022). "Anne Arundel County Council votes two gun safety bills into law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  27. ^ Cook, Chase (June 3, 2019). "Anne Arundel County Council nominates first openly transgender woman to library board". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  28. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (June 15, 2020). "Anne Arundel County Council passes bill limiting campus-like clusters of community-based assisted living facilities". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  29. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (July 6, 2020). "Councilman makes second attempt to pause rent increases in Anne Arundel County". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  30. ^ Harris, Naomi; Hogan, Jack (July 7, 2020). "Anne Arundel County Council rejects Board of Education's transfer of funds from transportation to mental health services". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  31. ^ Rahman, Rema (September 23, 2015). "Alternative medical marijuana bill introduced". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  32. ^ Broadwater, Luke (July 29, 2019). "Biden announces 29 Maryland endorsements". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  33. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 29, 2019). "10 State Lawmakers Back Biden's Presidential Bid". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  34. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (February 1, 2021). "Anne Arundel council condemns Capitol insurrection despite split Republican vote". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  35. ^ Cook, Chase (September 5, 2018). "After hours of testimony, Anne Arundel County Council quickly votes down abortion resolution". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  36. ^ Munro, Dana (July 8, 2022). "Anne Arundel County Council approves general election ballot question on extending term limits, passes abortion rights resolution". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  37. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Anne Arundel County". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  38. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Anne Arundel County". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
  39. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for Anne Arundel County". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  40. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  41. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
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