{{Short description|American politician (born 1981)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kevin Hornberger | image = Kevin Hornberger (54410035195) (cropped).jpg | caption = Hornberger in 2025 | office = Member of the Maryland House of Delegates | term_start = January 14, 2015 | term_end = | predecessor = David D. Rudolph | successor = | constituency = District 35A (2015–2023)<br>District 35B (2023–present) | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|6|26}} | birth_place = North East, Maryland, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = {{marriage|Danielle|end=div}} | children = 2 | alma_mater = University of the District of Columbia<br>University of Maryland, College Park,<br>Cecil College | profession = | signature = | website = }} '''Kevin Bailey Hornberger''' (born June 26, 1981) is an American politician from the Republican Party who is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 35B. He previously represented District 35A from 2015 to 2023.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=Kevin B. Hornberger, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa17073.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref>
== Background == Hornberger was born on June 26, 1981, in North East, Maryland. He graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1999 and attended Cecil College, where he earned an associate degree in general studies in 2003. He then attended the University of Maryland from 2003 to 2004, and later graduated with honors from the University of the District of Columbia with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 2010.<ref name="msa"/>
After graduating, Hornberger founded his own company, Blue Collar Engineering Inc., and began working as a facility manager for the Library of Congress. In 2014, he ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 35A, challenging incumbent Democratic Delegate David D. Rudolph, who was drawn into the district following redistricting in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=Republicans battle for legislative seats in Harford, Cecil District 35 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-district-35-candidates-0620-20140620-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |newspaper=The Aegis |date=June 20, 2014}}</ref> He won the Republican primary with a 300-vote lead over his opponent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=Norman takes GOP Senate nomination in Harford-Cecil District 35 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-district-35-results-0627-20140625-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |newspaper=The Aegis |date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> During the general election, he was endorsed by Republican gubernatorial nominee Larry Hogan and U.S. Representative Andy Harris.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rep. Harris, Hogan endorse Hornberger |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/rep-harris-hogan-endorse-hornberger/article_e85ca9a2-a7ad-5215-b3c2-004b479e4d2c.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Cecil Whig |date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> He defeated Rudolph in the general election with 56.5 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bellmyer |first1=Jane |title=Hornberger unseats Rudolph in District 35A |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/hornberger-unseats-rudolph-in-district-35a/article_89f1d4cd-46bc-5fa9-9084-4343159813f7.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Cecil Whig |date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>
== In the legislature == [[File:New Delegates photo op (16287788182) (cropped).jpg|thumb|House Speaker Michael E. Busch swears Hornberger into the Maryland House of Delegates, 2015]] Hornberger was sworn in as a member of the House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. Since 2020, he has served as the Deputy Minority Whip.<ref name="msa"/>
=== Committee assignments === * Member, Ways and Means Committee, 2015–present (education subcommittee, 2015–2018, 2021–present; finance resources subcommittee, 2015–2017, 2019; election law subcommittee, 2017–2018; local revenues subcommittee, 2019; early childhood subcommittee, 2020; racing & gaming subcommittee, 2020–present) * Member, Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight, 2015–present
=== Other memberships === * House Chair, Cecil County Delegation, 2015–present * Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2015–present * Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2015–present * Member, Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019–present
==Political positions== ===Elections=== During the 2020 legislative session, Hornberger introduced a bill that would require all vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly to be filled with special elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle |title=Lawmakers Press for Special Elections to Fill Vacancies |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/23/lawmakers-press-for-special-elections-to-fill-vacancies/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> He reintroduced the bill during the 2026 legislative session, describing it as a "pro-democracy bill".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Katharine |title=Maryland General Assembly special elections could be on the horizon, lawmakers say |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/02/05/maryland-general-assembly-special-elections/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 5, 2026}}</ref>
===Gun control=== Hornberger identifies as "one of the fiercest advocates for the Second Amendment".<ref name="Election2018">{{cite news |last1=Tabeling |first1=Katie |title=Hornberger seeks to fight taxes, protect rights |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/hornberger-seeks-to-fight-taxes-protect-rights/article_4890665d-aa36-5592-9c2c-1e9ef9efab32.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Cecil Whig |date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> During a debate on legislation to ban firearms on college campuses, Hornberger unsuccessfully introduced an amendment to exempt students or staff members who have concealed carry permits from the bill.<ref>{{cite news |title=Md. lawmakers fight over guns on campuses |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2016/03/10/md-lawmakers-fight-over-guns-on-campuses/116923788/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> Following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Hornberger voted in favor of legislation to ban bump stocks in Maryland, a vote which he later called "one of the toughest votes I've ever had to make".<ref name="Election2018" /> During a debate on legislation that prohibited life without parole sentences for juvenile offenders, Hornberger introduced an amendment that would exempt people "convicted of a crime involving the possession or discharge of a firearm inside a school building or a conspiracy to commit a crime involving a firearm inside a school building", which was rejected by a vote of 51–83.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle |last2=Leckrone |first2=Bennett |title=House Passes Bill to End Life Without Parole For Juvenile Offenders, Allow Re-Sentencings |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/30/house-passes-bill-to-end-life-without-parole-for-juvenile-offenders-allow-re-sentencings/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 30, 2021}}</ref>
===Marijuana=== Hornberger opposed legislation introduced in the 2017 legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, saying he supported medical marijuana but felt it was too early to legalize recreational marijuana.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroner |first1=Brad |title=Legislators unveil proposal for marijuana legalization |url=https://www.myeasternshoremd.com/kent_county_news/news/regional/legislators-unveil-proposal-for-marijuana-legalization/article_edb53e60-87ef-5a73-8f81-a55c544c4b2e.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Kent County News |date=February 4, 2017}}</ref> During the 2021 legislative session, Hornberger introduced legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients to possess and carry firearms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Meghan |title=Maryland General Assembly Will Consider Multiple Cannabis Bills in 2021 |url=https://outlawreport.com/md-cannabis-bill-round-up-2021/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=The Outlaw Report |date=February 2, 2021}}</ref>
===Minimum wage=== During a debate on legislation to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2019, Hornberger unsuccessfully introduced an amendment to increase funding for health and human service organizations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Minimum wage increase to $15 moves forward in House of Delegates |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-minimum-wage-house-20190227-story.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 27, 2019}}</ref>
===Social issues=== During the 2021 legislative session, Hornberger co-sponsored legislation that would give farmers the right to repair equipment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Madeleine |title=Farmers would gain 'Right to Repair' equipment under proposed Maryland legislation |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2021/02/19/farmers-would-gain-right-repair-equipment-under-maryland-proposal/6799294002/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Delmarvanow |date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
Hornberger opposes efforts to ban 287(g) program agreements in Maryland, saying that the program only applies to people already in custody, does not involve racial profiling, and has led to decreases in crime.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Mennatalla |title=Ferguson sets stage for legislative battle over local police assisting ICE |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/18/immigration-enforcement-ferguson/ |access-date=November 18, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 18, 2025}}</ref>
===Taxes=== In 2018, Hornberger campaigned on cutting Maryland's taxes.<ref name="Election2018" /> During the 2021 legislative session, he introduced legislation to provide tax refunds to business owners who had to close or reduce their operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=House GOP Unveils Package of Bills to Aid Small Business |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/18/house-gop-unveils-package-of-bills-to-aid-small-business/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> In April of that year, Hornberger voted in favor of legislation that would let counties set bracket-based income taxes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle |title=Lawmakers Debating Whether to Allow Tiered Local Income Tax Brackets |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/04/06/lawmakers-debating-whether-to-allow-tiered-local-income-tax-brackets/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
==Personal life== Hornberger was married to his wife, Danielle, who was the county executive of Cecil County from 2020 to 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bellmyer |first1=Jane |last2=Took |first2=Jacob |title=Republican Danielle Hornberger wins county executive seat |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/republican-danielle-hornberger-wins-county-executive-seat/article_b00eae9f-9baa-518f-bf7b-f5b27743773f.html |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Cecil Whig |date=November 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hubbard |first1=Matt |title=Hornberger announces campaign for re-election as County Executive |url=https://www.cecildaily.com/news/hornberger-announces-campaign-for-re-election-as-county-executive/article_a2d9ec66-bb98-11ee-a567-a3deccc1f639.html |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=Cecil Whig |date=January 26, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Together, they have an adult son named Adam. Hornberger lives in North East, Maryland.<ref name="Charges">{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Hornberger hit with assault charge from adult son; lawmaker says it's 'unfounded' and 'misguided' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/04/23/hornberger-hit-with-assault-charge-from-adult-son-lawmaker-says-its-unfounded-and-misguided/ |access-date=April 23, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 23, 2024}}</ref>
In April 2024, Hornberger's son filed second-degree assault charges against him, alleging that his father had shoved him to the ground, cutting his palm and scraping his wrist. Hornberger denied the accusations, saying that his son had become physically violent toward him during a discussion about his future and had fled home after Hornberger called the police. Hornberger's son also sought a restraining order against him, which was denied after Hornberger and his parents contested against it.<ref name="Charges" /> The assault charges were dismissed in June 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Charges filed against delegate by his son are dismissed |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/06/14/charges-filed-against-delegate-by-his-son-are-dismissed/ |access-date=June 14, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 35A Republican primary election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01635A.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Kevin Bailey Hornberger''' |votes = 1,224 |percentage = 49.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John C. Mackie, Jr. |votes = 928 |percentage = 37.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mary Catherine Podlesak |votes = 319 |percentage = 12.9 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 35A election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01635A.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Kevin Bailey Hornberger |votes = 6,225 |percentage = 56.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = David D. Rudolph (incumbent) |votes = 4,778 |percentage = 43.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mary Catherine Podlesak (Write-In) |votes = 10 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 3 |percentage = 0.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 35A election, 2018<ref>{{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_01635A.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Kevin Bailey Hornberger (incumbent) |votes = 9,065 |percentage = 63.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jobeth Rocky Bowers |votes = 5,260 |percentage = 36.7 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 11 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 35B election, 2022<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_51.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Kevin Bailey Hornberger (incumbent) |votes = 10,867 |percentage = 95.6 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 503 |percentage = 4.4 }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Maryland House of Delegates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hornberger, Kevin}} Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Cecil County, Maryland Category:University of the District of Columbia alumni Category:Businesspeople from Maryland Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly