J. Sandy Bartlett
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 32nd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Serving with Mark S. Chang and Mike Rogers
Preceded byPamela Beidle
Alice Sophocleus
Personal details
Born (1966-01-06) January 6, 1966
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationHoward University (BA)
Catholic University School of Law (JD)
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteCampaign website

Juanita Sandra Bartlett (born January 6, 1966) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 32 since 2019.

Background

Bartlett was born in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 1966. She graduated from Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1987, and attended classes at the University of San Diego and Catholic University of America before receiving her Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University in 2007. Bartlett is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the NAACP.[1]

Barlett worked as an intellectual property attorney with various D.C.-area law firms from 2000 to 2015, afterwards starting her own law office and working as an adjunct professor for Anne Arundel Community College since 2016. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2014, and the Federal Bar in 2016.[1]

Bartlett first became involved in politics in 2006 as an alternate member of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee until 2010, when she became an elected member of the committee. In that same year, she also became a member of the West County Democratic Central Club and the District 32 Democratic Club.[1] In August 2017, Bartlett announced that she would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 32.[2] During the Democratic primary election, she ran on a slate with state delegates Mark S. Chang, Pamela Beidle, and Theodore J. Sophocleus (who was later replaced with Mike Rogers following his death).[3] The district was targeted by the Maryland Republican Party and the Republican State Leadership Committee, who had hoped to defeat the Maryland Democratic Party's supermajority in the legislature.[4] Bartlett won primary election in June 2018,[5] and later defeated her Republican challengers in the general election with 20.7 percent of the vote.[6]

In the legislature

Bartlett was sworn in on January 9, 2019, and has been a member of the Judiciary Committee during her entire tenure, becoming its vice chair in 2023. She has also served as a deputy majority whip since 2020.[1]

In 2020, Bartlett became the first Black woman to serve as the chair of the Anne Arundel County Delegation, and became the first Black person elected to the position in December.[7]

Personal life

Bartlett lives in Maryland City, Maryland.[8] She is married and has two children.[1] She is Christian.[9]

In March 2019, Bartlett revealed that she had potentially terminal breast cancer and had a double mastectomy to remove it.[10]

Political positions

Crime and policing

During the 2020 legislative session, Bartlett introduced bills to automatically enroll inmates who complete their sentences into voter rolls.[11]

In June 2020, Bartlett attended a protest against police brutality in Severn, Maryland, where she promised to introduce regulations on police use of force.[12] During the 2021 legislative session, she introduced a bill that would prohibit school resource officers from arresting and searching a student except in situations involving "serious bodily injury". The bill passed the House, but died in the Senate.[13]

In June 2021, she attended a NAACP protest in Annapolis after a video showing Ocean City police officers violently arrest five Black teenagers for vaping on the boardwalk surfaced on social media.[14]

During the 2022 legislative session, Bartlett introduced the Child Interrogation Act, which prevented police from interrogating underage defendants without first allowing them to consult with an attorney. The bill passed and became law.[15] She also supported the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, which restricted the state's ability to charge children younger than thirteen for most offenses.[16]

Education

During the 2020 legislative session, Bartlett supported a bill to create a pilot program in elementary and middle schools to hire social workers to monitor students with behavioral, social, or legal difficulties.[17]

Gun policy

During the 2023 legislative session, Bartlett introduced Jaelynn's Law, which would require guns to be safely stored and inaccessible for children below the age of 18. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. In May 2023, she condemned a Severn man who gained national attention for protesting against gun control bills the legislature passed that year by carrying a semi-automatic rifle through his neighborhood, adding that she would look at introducing a bill in 2024 to prevent people from doing this.[18]

National politics

Bartlett condemned the January 6 United States Capitol attack as an "attempt at sedition" and expressed solidarity with congressional lawmakers and workers.[19]

Social issues

In 2019, Bartlett voted for a bill to allow palliative care for terminally ill patients.[20]

During the 2020 legislative session, Bartlett supported the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair style and texture. The bill passed and became law.[21] She also introduced a bill to ban "Request to Suspend Investigation" waiver forms in sexual assault cases.[22]

In July 2020, Bartlett signed onto a letter calling on regional news organizations to increase employee diversity.[23]

During the 2023 legislative session, Bartlett introduced a bill to prohibit police from arresting and charging child victims of trafficking. The bill passed and became law.[24]

Taxes

During the 2021 legislative session, Bartlett introduced a bill that would allow the Anne Arundel County Council to impose real estate transfer taxes on properties worth over $1 million.[25] The bill passed the legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan.[26] The legislature overrode Hogan's veto on the bill during the 2021 special legislative session.[27]

Electoral history

Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee District 32 election, 2014[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andrea Muriel Jones-Horton 4,291 27.9
Democratic Kathleen Anne Shatt 4,180 27.2
Democratic J. Sandy Bartlett 4,156 27.0
Democratic Tryphenia A. Ellis-Johnson 2,761 17.9
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 Democratic primary election, 2018[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark S. Chang (incumbent) 4,591 22.3
Democratic J. Sandy Bartlett 4,200 20.4
Democratic Mike Rogers 3,795 18.4
Democratic Jenese Jones 2,639 12.8
Democratic Patrick Armstrong 1,939 9.4
Democratic Theodore J. Sophocleus (incumbent) † 1,863 9.0
Democratic Derek Kent 1,583 7.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 election, 2018[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark S. Chang (incumbent) 24,498 20.9
Democratic J. Sandy Bartlett 24,220 20.7
Democratic Mike Rogers 23,316 19.9
Republican Patty Ewing 16,340 13.9
Republican Mark E. Bailey 14,520 12.4
Republican Tim Walters 14,158 12.1
Write-in 150 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 election, 2022[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark S. Chang (incumbent) 21,755 22.4
Democratic J. Sandy Bartlett (incumbent) 20,988 21.6
Democratic Mike Rogers (incumbent) 20,597 21.2
Republican Monica L. W. Smearman 11,384 11.7
Republican Michael Jette 11,213 11.5
Republican Michele Speakman 11,169 11.5
Write-in 107 0.1

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "J. Sandy Bartlett, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ Yeager, Amanda (August 10, 2017). "Democratic Central Committee member to run for District 32 House seat". The Capital. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Beidle files for state Senate in Anne Arundel's District 32". The Baltimore Sun. August 28, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ Wood, Pamela (October 15, 2023). "National Republican group targets 15 Democrats running for Maryland House of Delegates". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  5. ↑ Cook, Chase (June 26, 2018). "Leopold comeback ends as Kipke, Chisholm have majority lead in delegate race". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ Ohl, Danielle (November 9, 2018). "After 'Year of the Woman,' female victories dominate Anne Arundel County elections". The Capital. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  7. ↑ Sanchez, Olivia (December 4, 2020). "Dels. Sandy Bartlett, Mike Rogers make history as first two Black delegates to serve as Anne Arundel delegation chair, vice chair". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ Price, Lilly (June 4, 2021). "'Nobody would listen': Six months before Maryland City quadruple shooting, victim was denied protective order". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 14, 2019). "Maryland House approves aid-in-dying bill after emotional debate". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Maryland House Passes Medical Aid In Dying Bill, Moves To Senate". WJZ-TV. March 7, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  11. ↑ Sanchez, Olivia (January 8, 2020). "Anne Arundel lawmakers feel the loss of Mike Busch on opening day". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ DuBose, Brooks (June 13, 2020). "Anne Arundel black clergy, county police join in prayer walk through Severn". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  13. ↑ Shwe, Elizabeth (October 19, 2021). "Anne Arundel Superintendent Addresses Bus Driver Shortages With County Delegation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  14. ↑ Wagner, Rose (June 16, 2021). "Maryland NAACP, community leaders call for suspension of Ocean City officers over videos of violent arrests". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ Sanderlin, Lee O. (September 14, 2023). "Maryland prosecutors slam child interrogation law despite reports that police aren't following it". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ Parker, Luke (January 26, 2023). "Anne Arundel Police complaints against reform are latest chapter in Maryland's troubled history with youth justice". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  17. ↑ Sanchez, Olivia (February 14, 2020). "Anne Arundel NAACP, school system criticize Del. Sid Saab's school bill on preventative measures". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ Parker, Luke (May 24, 2023). "Community 'not interested' in Severn man's armed militia, neighbors, lawmakers and civil rights leaders say". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ Ohl, Danielle; Mongilio, Heather; Sanchez, Olivia; Felice, Selene San (January 6, 2021). "From Washington to Annapolis, dismay, anger and disbelief follow insurrection on Capitol Hill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ Wood, Pamela (March 7, 2019). "Amid tears, bowed heads, Maryland House of Delegates approves legalizing medically assisted suicide". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  21. ↑ Harris, Naomi; Sanchez, Olivia (April 3, 2020). "'Hair becomes a proxy for race': Maryland black women lawmakers vote to end one form of discrimination". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  22. ↑ Knezevich, Alison (February 24, 2020). "Hundreds of Maryland sexual assault survivors signed waivers from police. Now lawmakers want to ban the forms". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ DuBose, Brooks (July 16, 2020). "Annapolis Black leaders call on regional news media to increase diversity, equity". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  24. ↑ Beachum, Lateshia (April 5, 2023). "Maryland passes law aimed at protecting trafficked children". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  25. ↑ Sanchez, Olivia (March 19, 2021). "Anne Arundel delegation votes to pass transfer tax bill for housing trust fund, holds bill on larger fishing nets". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  26. ↑ Cook, Chase (May 28, 2021). "Anne Arundel executive Steuart Pittman says he will push for veto overrides on tax bills vetoed by Hogan". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  27. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (December 6, 2021). "Legislature Prepares to Override Hogan's Vetoes During Special Session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  29. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  30. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  31. ↑ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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