{{Short description|American politician (born 1974)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jessica Feldmark | image = Jessica Feldmark Feb2023.jpg | caption = Feldmark in 2023 | order = | office = Member of the Maryland House of Delegates | state_delegate = Maryland | district = | term_start = January 9, 2019 | term_end = <!-- Add data only when the actual term has ended, not for terms which will end in the future. (Per usage guideline.) --> | alongside = Terri Hill | predecessor = Clarence Lam | successor = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|08|01}} | birth_place = | birth_name = Jessica Marie Page | party = Democratic | spouse = Joshua Feldmark | children = | relatives = | education = | alma_mater = Goucher College (BA)<br>American University (MS) | website = {{Official website|www.jessicafeldmark.com}} | constituency = District 12 (2019–2023)<br>District 12A (2023–present) }}
'''Jessica Marie Feldmark''' ({{nee}} Page; born August 1, 1974) is an American politician who has served as a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019.
==Early life and career== Feldmark was born on August 1, 1974. She attended Goucher College, where she earned a B.A. degree in sociology and international relations, and American University, where she earned a M.S. degree in organization development.<ref name="msa" /> She moved to Columbia, Maryland in 1998 and was elected to the Wilde Lake Village Board in 2000. She resigned from the board in November 2002 to become a special assistant to Howard County councilman-elect Kenneth Ulman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cadiz |first1=Laura |title=Village board member to work for councilman |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-11-20-0211200021-story.html |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 20, 2002}}</ref> Feldmark followed Ulman into the executive's office following his election in 2006, first serving as a senior advisor until 2009, when she became Ulman's chief of staff.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=Jessica M. Feldmark, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa18016.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=February 14, 2019 |date=January 24, 2019}}</ref>
Following the election of Howard County executive Allan Kittleman in 2014, Feldmark was let go from her position to make room for Kittleman chief of staff Diane Wilson. A few hours after her departure, the Howard County Council announced that Feldmark would serve as the council's administrator, replacing Sheila Tolliver.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yeager |first1=Amanda |title=Staff turnover begins as Kittleman administration takes over |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/howard/ph-executive-branch-departures-story.html |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> [[File:Installation of HoCo EC Calvin Ball and County Council (31236397927).jpg|thumb|Feldmark with Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford in 2018]] In February 2018, Feldmark filed to run for Maryland House of Delegates.<ref>{{cite web |title=2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/primary_candidates/gen_cand_lists_2018_1_01612.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref> She came in third place in the Democratic primary election, receiving 21.4 percent of the vote.<ref name="2018 primary" /> Feldmark came in second place in the general election, receiving 21.9 percent of the vote.<ref name="2018 general" />
==In the legislature== Feldmark was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. She has been a member of the Ways and Means Committee during her entire tenure,<ref name="msa" /> including as the committee's vice chair since December 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crane |first1=Steve |title=Peña-Melnyk unveils House leadership shake-up, expands standing committees |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/pena-melnyk-unveils-house-leadership-shake-up-expands-standing-committees/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 30, 2025}}</ref> Feldmark is also a member of the Howard County Delegation—serving as its chair from 2020 to 2021 and from 2023 to 2024—the Women Legislators of Maryland, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, and the Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus.<ref name="msa" />
In January 2020, Feldmark filed to run as a convention delegate for Elizabeth Warren at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=No Surprise: Biden Is Dem Establishment Choice, Convention Filings Show |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/27/no-surprise-biden-is-dem-establishment-choice-convention-filings-show/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 27, 2020}}</ref>
On June 10, 2025, Feldmark announced that she would run for Howard County Executive in 2026, seeking to succeed incumbent Calvin Ball III, who is term-limited. During her campaign, she ran on a platform of increasing county funding for education and bringing jobs to the county.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hacker |first=Kiersten |title=Howard County Executive race gets another Democratic candidate, Del. Jessica Feldmark |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/10/howard-county-executive-race-gets-another-democratic-candidate-del-jessica-feldmark/ |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 10, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 }}</ref> In December 2025, Feldmark withdrew from the race and announced that she would instead be running for re-election to the House of Delegates after being diagnosed with breast cancer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reed |first1=Lillian |title=Jessica Feldmark drops out of Howard County executive race following cancer diagnosis |url=https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/delegate-jessica-feldmark-breast-cancer-howard-county-PSOC5XUAYVGIRIHDA4IJ7YAY7U/ |access-date=December 8, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=December 8, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===Electoral reform=== During the 2020 legislative session, Feldmark introduced a bill that would expand Maryland's public financing program to candidates other than the governor in statewide elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hawkins |first1=Samantha |title=Bill to Rescind Ban on Developer Contributions in Prince George's County Is Back |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/02/28/bill-to-rescind-ban-on-developer-contributions-in-prince-georges-county-is-back/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 28, 2020}}</ref>
During the 2021 legislative session, Feldmark introduced legislation that would introduce universal ballot marking devices and prevent ballots cast by voters with disabilities from being set apart from ballots cast by voters without disabilities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Disability Rights Groups Seek Equal Access to Ballot through Voting Machine Bill, Lawsuit |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/02/disability-rights-groups-seek-equal-access-to-ballot-through-voting-machine-bill-lawsuit/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bergel |first1=Tori |title=Maryland legislators aim for better voter accessibility |url=https://apnews.com/article/environment-voting-bills-legislation-maryland-484cbf2fb3647c9cea1438d990dfc781 |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=March 12, 2021}}</ref> She also introduced legislation that would codify a temporary policy adopted by the Maryland State Board of Elections during the COVID-19 pandemic that would require local election boards to accept an absentee ballot and reject a provisional ballot if they received both from the same voter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Panel Takes Up House Absentee Ballot Access Reform |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/04/01/senate-panel-takes-up-house-absentee-ballot-access-reform/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 1, 2021}}</ref>
===Government shutdown=== During the 2019 legislative session and amid the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, Feldmark introduced a bill that allow essential government employees to receive temporary assistance through the state during future government shutdowns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Lawmakers Press for Unemployment Expansion for Federal Workers |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/01/29/lawmakers-press-for-unemployment-expansion-for-federal-workers/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on March 26, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Shutdown Relief Bill Passes House of Delegates |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/02/14/shutdown-relief-bill-passes-house-of-delegates/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Federal Shutdown Protection Bill Is First Signed Into Law This Session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/03/26/federal-shutdown-protection-bill-is-first-signed-into-law-this-session/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 26, 2019}}</ref>
===Social issues=== In July 2020, Feldmark and 12 other state legislators signed onto a letter urging the Baltimore County Board of Education to ban the display of hate symbols, including the Confederate flag and swastikas, in schools across Baltimore County unless it is necessary for educational programming.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ingram |first1=Brandom |title=Delegates looking to ban display of Confederate flag, swastikas in Baltimore County Schools |url=https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/delegates-looking-to-ban-display-of-confederate-flags-swastikas-in-baltimore-county-schools |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=WMAR-TV |date=July 13, 2020}}</ref>
===Taxes=== During the 2021 legislative session, Feldmark introduced a bill to alter the state's Job Creation Tax Credit program to require new positions that qualify for the credit to pay a local prevailing wage of 150 percent of the state's minimum wage and provide career advancement opportunities, paid leave, and collective bargaining rights. The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Hogan on May 28, 2021;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Hogan Vetoes Target Transit Spending, Collective Bargaining, COVID Oversight and More |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/05/28/hogan-vetoes-target-transit-spending-collective-bargaining-covid-oversight-and-more/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 28, 2021}}</ref> the legislature voted to override Hogan's veto on the bill during its 2021 legislative session.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Legislature Prepares to Override Hogan's Vetoes During Special Session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/12/05/legislature-prepares-to-override-hogans-vetoes-during-special-session/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 5, 2021}}</ref>
==Personal life== Feldmark is married to Joshua Feldmark, who is the former director of community sustainability for the Howard County government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maryland Power Couples — 2022 Edition |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/14/maryland-power-couples-2022-edition/ |access-date=March 3, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Senate president takes job with solar energy company |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/06/17/senate-president-takes-job-with-solar-energy-company/ |access-date=November 22, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 17, 2024}}</ref> She is Jewish.<ref name="msa" />
==Electoral history== {{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2018 Maryland House of Delegates District 12 election<ref name="2018 primary">{{cite web |title=Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01612.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=March 3, 2022}}</ref><ref name="2018 general">{{cite web |title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01612.html | date = December 11, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Terri Hill (incumbent) |votes = 9,920 |percentage = 29.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Eric Ebersole (incumbent) |votes = 9,326 |percentage = 28.1 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jessica Feldmark |votes = 7,104 |percentage = 21.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Mark Weaver |votes = 1,943 |percentage = 5.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Dario J. Broccolino |votes = 1,896 |percentage = 5.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = James Howard |votes = 1,283 |percentage = 3.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Malcolm J. Heflin |votes = 892 |percentage = 2.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Bratt |votes = 793 |percentage = 2.4 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 33,157 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Eric Ebersole (incumbent) |votes = 30,478 |percentage = 22.7 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jessica Feldmark |votes = 29,427 |percentage = 21.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Terri Hill (incumbent) |votes = 29,313 |percentage = 21.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Melanie Harris |votes = 16,536 |percentage = 12.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Bob Cockey |votes = 15,141 |percentage = 11.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Michael Russell |votes = 13,509 |percentage = 10.0 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 126 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 134,530 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title=2022 Maryland House of Delegates District 12A election<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_7_18.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_18.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Terri Hill (incumbent) |votes = 9,107 |percentage = 47.2 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Jessica Feldmark (incumbent) |votes = 8,619 |percentage = 44.7 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Christopher John Feldwick |votes = 1,561 |percentage = 8.1 }}{{Election box total no change |votes = 19,287 |percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Terri Hill (incumbent) |votes = 24,204 |percentage = 53.1 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Jessica Feldmark (incumbent) |votes = 20,674 |percentage = 45.3 }}{{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 745 |percentage = 1.6 }}{{Election box total no change |votes = 45,623 |percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Maryland House of Delegates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Feldmark, Jessica M.}} Category:Goucher College alumni Category:American University alumni Category:Living people Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:1974 births Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Women state legislators in Maryland Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:Jewish American women in politics