Maryland Senate District 11

What’s the job: One of 188 members of Maryland’s General Assembly, split between the House of Delegates and the Senate. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving state spending and providing oversight of Maryland government operations. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Sen. Shelly L. Hettleman

Age: 62

Personal: Married, two children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, Northwestern University.

Experience: Member, Maryland Senate, District 11 (2020-present); chair, subcommittee on public safety, transportation and the environment of the Budget & Taxation Committee (present); co-chair, Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee (2023-present); chair, Special Joint Committee on Pensions, (2025-present); member, Maryland House of Delegates (2015-2020); campaign director, Ben Cardin for Senate (2007-2014); senior planner, The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore (2005-2007).

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Republican

Name: Jim Simpson

Age: 74

Personal: Divorced, two grown children.

Education: Master’s degree, economics, University of Delaware.

Experience: Security, including as a Department of State diplomatic security officer; certified pistol instructor; author.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?