David Fraser-Hidalgo
{{Short description|American politician (born 1969)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = David Fraser-Hidalgo
| image = David Fraser-Hidalgo.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|11|25}}
| birth_place = Quito, Ecuador
| death_date =
| death_place =
| state_delegate = Maryland
| district = 15th
| term_start = October 21, 2013
| term_end =
| appointer = Martin O'Malley
| predecessor = Brian J. Feldman
| successor =
| alongside = Linda Foley and Lily Qi
| party = Democrat
| residence = Boyds, Maryland
| occupation = Sales Director
| majority =
| relations =
| spouse =
| children =
| footnotes =
| website = https://www.fraserfor15.org/
}}
David V. Fraser-Hidalgo (born November 25, 1969) is an Ecuadorian-born American politician and a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 15 in Montgomery County, Maryland.{{Cite web|url =http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa16856.html|title = David Fraser-Hidalgo, Maryland State Delegate|website=msa.maryland.gov|publisher=Maryland State Archives|access-date= May 9, 2022}} He was appointed to complete the term of Delegate Brian J. Feldman following Feldman's appointment to a Senate seat and has since been elected to his own full term.{{Cite web|url = http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2013/Democratic-Committee-Backs-Fraser-Hidalgo-For-Vacant-Dist.-15-Delegate-Seat/|title = Democratic Committee Backs Fraser-Hidalgo For Vacant Dist. 15 Delegate Seat|last=Peck |first=Louis |date= October 9, 2013 |website=Bethesda Magazine |access-date = May 9, 2022}}
Early life and education
Fraser-Hidalgo was born on November 25, 1969, in Quito, Ecuador. He grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, attending Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, Maryland. In 1992, he earned a B.A. in History from St. Mary's College of Maryland.
For three years, Fraser-Hidalgo served as a police officer in Montgomery County before leaving the police department and entering the business world. He has worked for a number of firms, including being a partner in a Montgomery County based tech firm for 10 years and as an Area Director for Regus. He has also been involved in a variety of volunteer activities in the county, including as a leader in the Boyds Civic Association and sits on the boards of the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Community Farm Share and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.
In 2010, Fraser-Hidalgo unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 15,{{cite news |last1=Peck |first1=Louis |title=Candidates Facing a Three-Week Sprint to Capture Delegate Seat |url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/candidates-facing-a-three-week-sprint-to-capture-delegate-seat/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Bethesda Magazine |date=September 20, 2013}} coming in fourth place with 8.8 percent of the vote.
In the legislature
File:Families Serve Act Testimony - Economic Matters (53545443174).jpg
In 2013, the retirement of Senator Robert J. Garagiola from the Maryland Senate prompted the appointment of Delegate Brian J. Feldman to fill the remainder of Garagiola's term. This left an open Delegate seat, which was contested by a number of applicants. Fraser-Hidalgo won the final vote of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee by a close margin, and on October 16, 2013, was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to fill the seat.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=O'Malley names Fraser-Hidalgo to take over delegate seat from Montgomery County |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/omalley-names-fraser-hidalgo-to-take-over-delegate-seat-from-montgomery-county/2013/10/16/33b10a06-3686-11e3-be86-6aeaa439845b_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=October 16, 2013}} He was sworn in on October 21, 2013.
In February 2015, Fraser-Hidalgo joined state Senator Victor Ramirez and Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maricé Morales, Will Campos, and Ana Sol Gutierrez in organizing the Maryland Latino Legislative Caucus, becoming one of the caucus' first six members.{{cite news |title=Lawmakers seek to give Latinos bigger voice in Maryland |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/lawmakers-seek-to-give-latinos-bigger-voice-in-maryland/7091683 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=WBAL-TV |date=February 5, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Hernández |first1=Arelis R. |title=Md. lawmakers organizing the state's first Latino legislative caucus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-lawmakers-organizing-the-states-first-latino-legislative-caucus/2015/02/02/ba4e5b9a-ab24-11e4-9c91-e9d2f9fde644_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 2, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Hernández |first1=Arelis R. |title=Md. Latino lawmakers launch caucus to boost their presence in Annapolis |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-latino-lawmakers-launch-caucus-to-boost-their-presence-in-annapolis/2015/02/05/c70f2f96-ad57-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 5, 2015}} Fraser-Hidalgo served as the Latino Caucus' chair from 2019 to 2024.
Political positions
=Environment=
Fraser-Hidalgo has repeatedly introduced legislation that would ban the practice of fracking in Maryland.{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Timothy B. |title=Health, environmental groups seek fracking moratorium |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bal-fracking-moratorium-sought-in-maryland-20150205-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 5, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Deforestation, fracking bills spark rallies before hearing in Annapolis |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/md--cns-deforestation-fracking-20170222-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |agency=Capital Gazette |date=February 22, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Hernandez |first1=Arelis |last2=Jouvenal |first2=Justin |last3=Morse |first3=Dan |last4=Vozzella |first4=Laura |title=Man who sought sex-assault victims at 'beer pong' tournaments is convicted |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2015/02/05/daa23ce6-ad80-11e4-9c91-e9d2f9fde644_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 5, 2015}} During the 2017 legislative session, his bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on April 4, 2017.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Hogan announces support for fracking ban in Maryland |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-hogan-fracking-ban-20170317-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 17, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Josh |last2=Wiggins |first2=Ovetta |title=As a child, he was raped. As a lawmaker, he ensured victims have more time to sue. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/as-a-child-he-was-raped-as-a-lawmaker-he-ensured-victims-have-more-time-to-sue/2017/04/04/67365634-1953-11e7-bcc2-7d1a0973e7b2_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 4, 2017}}
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would increase the state's electric vehicle tax credit to $3,000.{{cite news |last1=Youngmann |first1=Charlie |title=Maryland may expand electric vehicle tax credits |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-maryland-ev-tax-credit-20190328-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 28, 2019}} The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on April 30, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |title=Maryland's electric vehicle rebate is so popular it ran out of money even before the fiscal year began July 1 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/environment/bs-md-electric-vehicle-credit-20190702-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 8, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB1246 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1246?ys=2019RS&search=True |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=May 9, 2022}} A bill extending the tax credit was introduced and passed during the 2022 legislative session and was signed into law on April 21, 2022.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |last2=Gaines |first2=Danielle E. |last3=Kurtz |first3=Josh |last4=Shwe |first4=Elizabeth |title=On 'Crossover Day,' Lawmakers Address Myriad Pandemic Challenges — And More |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/21/on-crossover-day-lawmakers-address-myriad-pandemic-challenges-and-more/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 21, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB1391 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1391?ys=2022rs |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=May 9, 2022}}
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2021 legislative session that would charge polluters a carbon fee for their greenhouse gas emissions, investing the revenue earned from the fee into education and green infrastructure.{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Lawmakers Consider Carbon Fees For Polluters That Will Help Pay for Kirwan Bill |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/19/lawmakers-consider-carbon-fees-for-polluters-that-will-help-pay-for-kirwan-bill/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 19, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB0033 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0033?ys=2021rs |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=May 9, 2022}} The bill received an unfavorable committee report.{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Committee Votes Down Bill That Would Charge Carbon Fee for Polluters |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/01/committee-votes-down-bill-that-would-charge-carbon-fee-for-polluters/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 1, 2021}}
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2022 legislative session that would set goals for electrifying the state's vehicle fleet, with 100 percent of passenger cars purchased to be electric by 2028 and all passenger cars in the fleet to be electric by 2031.{{cite news |last1=Condon |first1=Christine |title=Maryland lawmakers are once again hoping to pass wide-ranging environmental legislation. Here's what's proposed. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-climate-solutions-now-legislation-2022-20220210-v6uplgibgzfazhwj7dtwzijo64-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 10, 2022}}
=Industrial hemp=
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2018 legislative session that would create a pilot program authorizing both growing and processing operations for industrial hemp.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Industrial hemp advocates hope this is their year in Annapolis |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-hemp-bill-20180202-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 2, 2018}} The bill passed with nearly unanimous support (136-1 in the House and 46-0 in the Senate) and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on May 8, 2018.{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB0698 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0698?ys=2018RS |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=May 9, 2022}} He introduced legislation during the 2019 legislation to fully legalize commercial hemp farming, which was signed into law by Hogan on April 30, 2019.{{cite web |title=Maryland passes HB 1123 to legalize commercial hemp farming |url=https://www.votehemp.com/hemp-news/maryland-passes-hb-1123-to-legalize-commercial-hemp-farming/ |website=votehemp.com |access-date=May 9, 2022 |date=April 30, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Prudente |first1=Tim |title=How Congress passed a farm bill and left Maryland police labs unable to test for marijuana |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-pr-md-cr-police-marijuana-testing-20200624-7ccylm6cm5gw7f7axrt3ma6tja-story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 24, 2020}}
=Social issues=
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2016 legislative session that would have strengthened laws on underage drinking. The bill was watered down during committee hearings,{{cite news |last1=Metcalf |first1=Andrew |title=Alex and Calvin’s Law Weakened Before Passing General Assembly |url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/alex-and-calvins-law-weakened-before-passing-general-assembly/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Bethesda Magazine |date=April 12, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=How a bill to fight underage drinking got watered down |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-a-bill-to-fight-underage-drinking-got-watered-down/2016/04/19/0c37411a-0579-11e6-b283-e79d81c63c1b_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 19, 2016}} but passed and became law on May 19, 2016.{{cite news |last1=Burnett |first1=Ava-joye |title=New Law Punishes Adults Who Host Underage Drinking Parties |url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/09/30/new-law-punishes-adults-who-host-underage-drinking-parties/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=WJZ-TV |date=September 30, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=MADD honors three Maryland lawmakers who toughened drunken-driving laws |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/madd-honors-three-maryland-lawmakers-who-toughened-drunken-driving-laws/2016/09/22/f7228c66-80fd-11e6-8327-f141a7beb626_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=September 22, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB0409 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0409?ys=2016RS&search=True |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=May 9, 2022}}
Fraser-Hidalgo introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would require special elections to fill vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |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=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 23, 2020}}
Personal life
Fraser-Hidalgo lives in Boyds, Maryland, in a home that is almost completely autonomous.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=State Lawmaker Lives (Almost) Completely Off the Grid |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/04/state-lawmaker-lives-almost-completely-off-the-grid/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 4, 2022}} He was married to Lisa Bethel, and has two children, Samantha and Scott.{{cite web |title=Alumni Connection |url=https://www.smcm.edu/mulberrytree/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/2014/04/mulberry-tree-spring-2014.pdf |website=smcm.edu |publisher=St. Mary's College of Maryland |access-date=May 9, 2022 |pages=19–20 |date=Spring 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Prairie |first1=Cynthia |title=State Roundup, October 22, 2013 |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2013/10/22/state-roundup-october-22-2013/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=October 22, 2013}} In the early spring of 2018, his wife Lisa died from cancer.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Hogan Revs Up Montgomery County Crowd, Tries to Ignore Ficker |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/10/24/hogan-revs-up-montgomery-county-crowd-tries-to-ignore-ficker/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 24, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Maria Bonessi |first1=Dominique |title=These Maryland Lawmakers Strategize On The Run (Literally) |url=https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/02/21/808117344/these-maryland-lawmakers-strategize-on-the-run-literally |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=NPR |date=February 21, 2020}}
Electoral history
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 Democratic Primary Election, 2010{{cite web |title=Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/gen_results_2010_1_01615.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2022}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |6,262 |31.4% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |6,086 |30.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |4,671 |23.5% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David-Fraser Hidalgo |1,755 |8.8% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Lara Wibeto |1,142 |5.7% |
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 Democratic Primary Election, 2014{{cite web |title=Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01615.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2022}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Kathleen Dumais |6,156 |30.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Aruna Miller |5,748 |28.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David Fraser-Hidalgo |4,447 |22.1% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Bennett Rushkoff |3,754 |18.7% |
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 General Election, 2014{{cite web |title=Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01615.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2022}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Kathleen Dumais |19,083 |20.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Aruna Miller |18,071 |19.5% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David Fraser-Hidalgo |17,324 |18.7% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Ed Edmundson |12,913 |13.9% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Christine Thron |12,825 |13.8% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Flynn Ficker |12,355 |13.3% |
N/A
|Other Write-Ins |86 |0.1% |
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 Democratic Primary Election, 2018{{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_01615.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2022}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Kathleen Dumais |8,207 |22.4% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |6,568 |17.9% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David Fraser-Hidalgo |6,206 |16.9% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Amy Frieder |5,289 |14.4% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Kevin Mack |4,257 |11.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Anis Ahmed |2,097 |5.7% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Andy Van Wye |2,032 |5.5% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Hamza Sarwar Khan |1,262 |3.4% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Tony Puca |776 |2.1% |
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 General Election, 2018{{cite web |title=Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01615.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2022}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Kathleen Dumais |36,331 |24.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Lily Qi |34,888 |23.6% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David Fraser-Hidalgo |33,808 |22.9% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Laurie Halverson |15,678 |10.6% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Harvey Jacobs |14,096 |9.5% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Marc A. King |12,993 |8.8% |
N/A
|Other Write-Ins |139 |0.1% |
class="wikitable"
|+ Maryland House of Delegates District 15 General Election, 2022{{cite web |title=General election for Maryland House of Delegates District 15 (3 seats) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Maryland_House_of_Delegates_District_15 |website=ballotpedia.org |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=June 22, 2023}} |
Party
!Candidate !Votes !% |
---|
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Lily Qi |21,127 |23.1% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |Linda Foley |21,097 |23.1% |
{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|Democratic |David Fraser-Hidalgo |20,429 |22.4% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Stacey Sauter |9,930 |10.9% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Matt Wade |9,426 |10.3% |
{{Party shading/Republican}}
|Republican |Jodi Noah |9,321 |9.1% |
N/A
|Other Write-Ins |73 |0.1% |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Current members of the MD House of Delegates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser-Hidalgo, David}}
Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
Category:Law enforcement officials from Maryland
Category:People from Montgomery County, Maryland
Category:Ecuadorian emigrants to the United States
Category:American politicians of Ecuadorian descent
Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Maryland
Category:Politicians from Quito
Category:St. Mary's College of Maryland alumni
Category:St. Mary's College of Maryland
Category:American municipal police officers
Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States
Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly