Justin Ready

Ready was born in Mobile, Alabama, but moved to Westminster, Maryland, at the age of 11 after living in Mississippi.{{cite web |url=https://www.justinready.com/about |title=Meet Justin Ready |website=Ready for Maryland |access-date=September 4, 2021 |language=en}} He graduated from Carroll Community College in 2002, and afterwards attended Salisbury University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2004.{{cite web |title=Justin D. Ready, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa15445.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=October 30, 2023 |date=October 24, 2023}}

Ready became interested in politics at a young age.{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Ryan |title=Ready looks to work with colleagues to advance conservative ideas |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/ready-looks-to-work-with-colleagues-to-advance-conservative-ideas/article_2bedf0e2-6a96-5962-aa74-2c62775a1a6e.html |access-date=October 1, 2023 |work=Frederick News-Post |date=November 1, 2022}} After graduating from Salisbury, he worked as a field director for state senator E. J. Pipkin's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. He later worked as a legislative aide to state delegate J. B. Jennings from 2004 to 2006, afterwards working as the chief of staff for state senator Janet Greenip.

In April 2008, the Maryland Republican Party named Ready as its executive director, replacing John Flynn.{{cite news |last1=Olson |first1=Bradley |title=GOP names Ready executive director |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2008-04-29-0804290291-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 29, 2008}} He served in this position until July 2009, when he was fired by party chairman James Pelura for "personnel reasons". Ready's firing eventually led to the removal of Pelura as chairman of the Maryland Republican Party.{{cite news |last1=Smitherman |first1=Laura |title=Infighting in Md. GOP |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-07-08-0907070068-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 8, 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Smitherman |first1=Laura |title=Is Pelura's ouster part of GOP leaders' plan? |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-07-21-0907200078-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 21, 2009}} Ready later served as an interim executive director from July to December 2011.{{cite news |last1=Bykowicz |first1=Julie |title=Republican delegate to direct state GOP |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-07-republican_delegate_to_direct-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 12, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=MD GOP hires new executive director |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-12-md_gop_hires_new_executive_dir-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 2, 2011}}

Also in 2008, Ready unsuccessfully ran for delegate to the Republican National Convention, pledged to Mike Huckabee.{{cite web |title=Official 2008 Primary Election results for Congressional District 03 |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2008/results/primary/congressional_district_03.html |work=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=September 30, 2023}}

On January 5, 2010, Ready announced that he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 5A, challenging incumbent state delegates Nancy R. Stocksdale and Tanya Thornton Shewell.{{cite news |last1=Bykowicz |first1=Julie |title=Candidate Watch: Ready to run |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-01-candidate_watch_ready_to_run-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 5, 2010}} He won the Republican primary, placing first with 39.3 percent of the vote, and later defeated Democrats Francis X. Walsh and Sharon L. Baker in the general election alongside Stocksdale. Ready was sworn in on January 12, 2011, and served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee. He ran for re-election to a second term in 2014.{{cite news |last1=Ames |first1=Blair |title=Westminster's Ready makes re-election bid official |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/ph-ready-reelection-20130909-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 10, 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Roubein |first1=Rachel |title=Ready, Shoemaker, Krebs to move on to District 5 November election |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cct-ready-shoemaker-krebs-to-move-on-to-district-5-november-election-20140625-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=June 25, 2014}} Ready was a member of Larry Hogan's Change Maryland organization, and later served Hogan's transition team following his upset victory in the 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election.{{cite news |title=Gov.-elect Larry Hogan completes transition team |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/gov-elect-larry-hogan-completes-transition-team/7090582 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=WBAL-TV |date=December 2, 2014}}

In 2011, Ready served as a co-chair for Rick Perry's 2012 presidential campaign in Maryland. He later ran for delegate to the Republican National Convention pledged to Perry, receiving 1.2 percent of the vote.{{cite web |title=2012 Presidential Primary Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2012/results/primary/gen_results_2012_3_05608.html |work=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=September 30, 2023 |date=May 2, 2012}}

File:Fair Wage Act Finance Hearing (52721528197).jpg

In January 2015, following the resignation of state senator Joseph M. Getty to serve as the chief legislative officer to Governor Larry Hogan, Ready applied to fill the vacancy left by Getty in the Maryland Senate. The Carroll County Republican Central Committee nominated Ready alongside Dave Wallace and County Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier to fill the seat.{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Wiley |title=Frazier, Ready and Wallace recommended for Senate seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-three-names-senate-20150129-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=January 29, 2015}} Hogan appointed Ready to the seat on February 2,{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Wiley |title=Hogan appoints Ready to Senate seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-rcc-lawsuit2-20150202-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 2, 2015}} and he was sworn in on the same day.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Two new Republican senators take their seats |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-two-new-republican-senators-take-their-seats-20150202-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 2, 2015}} Ready was elected to a full four-year term in 2018.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=Incumbent delegates secure 'Team Hogan' win in District 5 primary |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-primary-election-md-house-senate-5-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=June 26, 2018}}

Ready served as a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee from 2015 to 2021, afterwards serving on the Finance Committee.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Shuffles Committee Assignments as Session Approaches |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/01/07/senate-shuffles-committee-assignments-as-session-approaches/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 7, 2021}} In October 2021, Ready was elected to serve as the Senate minority whip.{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Carroll County's Justin Ready elected minority whip by Republican caucus of Maryland Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-senator-justin-ready-elected-minority-whip-20211005-zlmne5cynvau7gkese4dm52pwm-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=October 5, 2021}}

During the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Ready participated in organizing activities for Ted Cruz.{{cite news |last1=Fritze |first1=John |title=Maryland could help pick presidential nominees, for a change |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-maryland-presidential-primary-20160407-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 9, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Cruz appeals to conservatives in Frederick as Maryland primary nears |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/cruz-appeals-to-conservatives-in-frederick-as-maryland-primary-nears/article_d785bb24-4fd7-58fa-9fc3-eb0b32010570.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Frederick News-Post |date=April 21, 2016}} He celebrated Donald Trump's win in the 2016 United States presidential election, calling it a "pretty stunning repudiation of Washington, D.C., and the establishment, the media establishment, and sort of the coasts".{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Heather |title=Carroll officials react to Trump's historic presidential victory |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-election-day-after-20161109-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=November 9, 2016}}

Ready endorsed Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election. After Schulz was defeated by far-right state delegate Dan Cox in the Republican primary, Ready endorsed Cox, claiming that he would act as a counter on progressive legislation passed by the legislature.{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |last2=Janesch |first2=Sam |title=With far-right Dan Cox at top of ticket, choices for Maryland Republican leaders are fraught: vow support, push back or stay quiet? |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/elections/bs-md-pol-maryland-gop-cox-20220722-r4xy4tjl5bdolduarxqs4cox4a-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 24, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |title=Maryland Senate GOP leader declines to endorse gubernatorial nominee Dan Cox during election push |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-republicans-senate-cox-20220906-mulj5u5625buvbskjysdhn3w74-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 6, 2022}}

During his tenure in the Maryland House of Delegates, Ready was a member of the legislature's Tea Party caucus.{{cite news |last1=Bykowicz |first1=Julie |title=Baltimore Democrat joins the House tea party |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2011-02-del_curt_anderson_baltimore_de-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 8, 2011}} In January 2020, the American Conservative Union gave Ready a score of 76 percent on its annual legislative scorecard, the highest score among members of the Maryland Senate.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=National Conservative Group Rates Lawmakers on 2019 Votes |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/08/national-conservative-group-rates-lawmakers-on-2019-votes/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 8, 2020}}

In the Maryland Senate, Ready repeatedly introduced and supported bills to increase penalties on violent crimes, including those involving guns.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=As 2019 General Assembly session gavels in, Carroll lawmakers review legislative priorities |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-opening-day-2019-legislative-session-20190109-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=January 9, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Blubaugh |first1=Bob |title=Members of Carroll County's legislative delegation focusing on business, health care, crime, election security bills |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-legislative-preview-20210113-dmqtwotvgffx3jq66ipj3p56pa-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=January 12, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Republicans revisit former Gov. Larry Hogan's crime bill, support legislation endorsed by new Baltimore prosecutor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-republicans-hogan-firearms-20230303-p54jrpwsf5hf5lqpx36f3wtm3a-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 2, 2023}} He has called crime in Baltimore "out of control and destabilizing our entire region",{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Carroll County legislators express concern Kirwan Commission will be 'boondoggle,' criticize Baltimore schools |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-legislative-kickoff-20200104-tffui6gwb5bnjafhquj4bw2uom-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=January 3, 2020}} and has expressed skepticism on claims that gun control would decrease violent crime.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland advocates push for ban on unregistered 'ghost' guns |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-ga-ghost-guns-20220125-dartme6nxjcrxkjfp3xfrhe36i-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 25, 2022}}

During the 2015 legislative session, Ready introduced a bill to increase penalties for human trafficking. The bill was withdrawn after activists expressed concerns that the bill's definition of "trafficker" was too broad.{{cite news |last1=Ericson |first1=Edward Jr. |title=Human trafficking bill withdrawn in state Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/citypaper/bcpnews-human-trafficking-bill-withdrawn-in-state-senate-20150325-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Baltimore City Paper |date=March 25, 2015}}

In 2019, Ready introduced "Laura and Reid's Law", a bill to increase penalties for murdering a pregnant woman. The bill was named after Laura Wallen, a pregnant woman who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in September 2017.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=Laura and Reid's Law would allow prosecution in murder of nonviable fetus; pro-choice group opposed |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-ready-press-conference-laura-and-reids-law-20190221-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 21, 2019}} The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Man accused of killing woman, girl in Baltimore charged under new law covering violence against pregnant women |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/bs-md-ci-cr-laura-and-reid-law-20200622-yj7ihg6dhjchdckx4rly45vovi-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 22, 2020}} He also introduced a bill that would prohibit courts from authorizing pretrial release for an individual accused of assaulting a police officer.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=Carroll County sheriff, state's attorney testify in support of law enforcement protection bill |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-dewees-deleonardo-testify-for-readys-bill-20190221-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 22, 2019}}

During the 2023 legislative session, Ready expressed concerns with and voted against Governor Wes Moore's appointment of Vincent Schiraldi as Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services, pointing to Schiraldi's approach to reducing juvenile crime amid the state's "crisis in juvenile crime".{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=After delay, Maryland Senate confirms Vincent Schiraldi as head of juvenile services |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-schiraldi-comfirmed-20230221-7qsuke73rngknotudmll2s5ixu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 22, 2023}}

Ready opposes the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 70-mile power line that would run from Frederick to Baltimore County to provide power to data centers in Maryland and Virginia, pointing to its potential use of eminent domain to acquire properties along its proposed path. During the 2025 legislative session, he introduced two bills to limit the use of eminent domain against property owners by including legal fees and costs incurred by the owner in calculating the fair market value for a property, and setting the fair market value of farmland property at 350% of its highest appraised value.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Ready hopes two eminent domain bills will help Carroll residents with Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project opposition |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/18/carroll-county-ready-bills-eminent-domain-mprp/ |access-date=February 18, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 18, 2025}}

In May 2015, Ready defended Governor Larry Hogan's decision to withhold $68 million in funding for Maryland's costliest public school systems, saying that the state needed to restrain its growth spending to settle its fiscal issues.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |last2=Loricchio |first2=Lauren |title=Guthrie 'disappointed' that state funding won't go to schools |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-hogan-education-funding-051515-20150514-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=May 14, 2015}}

During the 2019 legislative session, Ready defended Governor Larry Hogan's executive order requiring public schools to start after Labor Day, claiming that the order resulted in "incredibly good" economic effects.{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Maryland Gov. Hogan fights back against lawmakers over post-Labor Day school year start |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-hogan-labor-day-20190207-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 7, 2019}}

In October 2019, Ready expressed skepticism with the Kirwan Commission's recommendations, also known as the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, comparing them to the recommendations made by the Thornton Commission and arguing that it would be better to address achievement gap deficits in education locally rather than raising education funding statewide.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Considering Kirwan: Carroll politicians fear repeat of Thornton commission; MSEA supports recommendations |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-kirwan-carroll-response-20191020-dlatry3ecfe7joofnvy6p2cfqu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=October 20, 2019}} He later voted against the Blueprint bill, arguing that it would have a significant negative impacts on the state's economy.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Carroll County elected officials oppose proposed sales tax expansion to fund Kirwan upgrades |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-sales-tax-expansion-kirwan-react-20200220-6fzz5ib5rzhapjsukcksswlvaq-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 20, 2020}}

In February 2022, Ready signed onto a letter to the Maryland State Board of Education imploring the agency to rescind its COVID-19 mask mandate in schools, falsely claiming that masks were ineffective at limiting the spread of COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Spence |first1=Molly Fellin |title=Carroll County lawmakers call on State Board of Education to immediately rescind 'unscientific' school mask mandate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/top/bs-md-carroll-masking-schools-20220210-20220210-oqmvypeupbac5amwdirqyqernu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 10, 2022}}

During the 2023 legislative session, Ready introduced a bill to establish the "fundamental right to parents' rights" in education.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Thomas Goodwin |title=Sen. Justin Ready sponsors proposed bill to establish fundamental parents' rights |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-proposed-parent-rights-ready-20230219-iccmxsxzcbf7vfjoc7s2q2l5iq-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 19, 2023}}

In 2016, Ready opposed a bill to automatically register people to vote when getting their driver's license at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Automatic voter registration bill killed in Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-automatic-voter-registration-bill-killed-in-senate-20160407-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 7, 2016}}

In March 2019, Ready said he supported Governor Larry Hogan's proposed redraw of Maryland's congressional maps—which saw Maryland's 6th congressional district redrawn to include Frederick and Carroll counties, thereby making it more favorable to Republicans—following the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit's decision in Benisek v. Lamone.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=Carroll Republicans say proposed 6th Congressional District Map is step in the right direction |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-officials-react-proposed-6th-congressional-district-20190305-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=March 7, 2019}} In June 2021, Ready participated in hearings for Hogan's Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission, during which he advocated for districts that broke up communities as little as possible.{{cite news |last1=Whitlow |first1=James |title=Advocates for political redistricting in Harford and Carroll recommend equal representation, keeping communities together |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-redistricting-meeting-north-20210617-r2rf2eyrvfd3doddwmheujwrpm-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=June 17, 2021}} He criticized the redrawn congressional districts passed by the legislature during the 2021 special legislative session, calling it "incredibly gerrymandered".{{cite news |last1=Stole |first1=Bryn |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Maryland lawmakers convene special session to approve new congressional boundaries |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-ga-special-session-monday-20211206-m2bvpot7qbgoxckaghepi4vyra-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 6, 2021}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Ready introduced a bill to require voters to show a government-issued voter ID before casting a ballot,{{cite news |last1=Blubaugh |first1=Bob |title=Ready among Maryland Senate Republicans proposing election safeguards |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-senate-republicans-election-safeguards-20210204-xu7skdy5hnaeridmbdbtdvgccy-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 4, 2021}} citing what he called "major deficiencies" in the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate Republicans Announce Voter ID, Signature Verification Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/04/senate-republicans-announce-voter-id-signature-verification-bills/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 4, 2021}} The bill was reintroduced in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Carroll County legislators join other Republicans to introduce package of election safeguard bills in General Assembly |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-republican-caucus-election-bills-20220219-uiiavzp3rrgwrb6tsncjxkrg24-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 19, 2022}} In August 2024, Ready endorsed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a federal bill that would require voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Carroll lawmakers push to pass law requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/08/28/carroll-lawmakers-push-to-pass-law-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-when-registering-to-vote/ |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 28, 2024}}

During the 2018 legislative session, Ready said he supported a bill to repeal several sections of the Firearms Safety Act, including a ban on assault rifles.{{cite news |last1=Kelvey |first1=Jon |title=Carroll officials offer mixed response to firearms legislation |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-assault-weapons-bill-20180323-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=March 24, 2018}}

In 2019, Ready said he opposed a bill to abolish the state's Handgun Permit Review Board, which handled conceal carry applications.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Senate Votes to Eliminate Handgun Permit Review Board |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/03/25/senate-votes-to-eliminate-handgun-permit-review-board/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 25, 2019}} In June 2022, he celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which overturned Maryland's concealed carry laws.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Supreme Court strikes New York gun law in major ruling with implications for Maryland's own concealed carry law |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-usc-concealed-carry-20220623-rhftd76sjrel7ozk2jfhjnkrhu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 23, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Figueroa |first1=Ariana |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=U.S. Supreme Court Gun Rights Decision Has Major Implications for Md. Concealed Carry Law |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/06/23/u-s-supreme-court-gun-rights-decision-has-major-implications-for-md-concealed-carry-law/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 23, 2022}} In 2023, Ready said he opposed the Gun Safety Act, a gun control bill that increased requirements to obtain a handgun permit and limited where guns could be publicly carried following the Bruen decision, saying that he anticipated the bill's "fiery end by the court" if passed.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Maryland House, Senate advance concealed carry gun bills in response to U.S. Supreme Court ruling |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-house-senate-pass-gun-bills-bruen-20230315-ykdxl2feuzduzhps54gtmnjtri-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2023}}

Ready supports efforts to repeal Obamacare.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Alex |title=District 5 General Assembly hopefuls discuss state, Carroll issues at candidate forum |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-legislative-district-5-candidate-forum-20181010-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=October 11, 2018}}

During the 2017 legislative session, Ready said he opposed a bill requiring companies to provide employees with five days of paid sick leave per year, which he claimed would exacerbate income inequality.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Despite Hogan veto threat, Maryland Senate approves paid sick time proposal |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-veto-proof-sick-time-passed-20170316-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 16, 2017}}

In 2019, Ready criticized the End-of-Life Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Medically assisted suicide bill advances in Maryland, but with changes that frustrate advocates |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-medical-suicide-advances-20190322-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 22, 2019}}

Ready supported Question 4 in 2012, which sought to repeal Maryland's Dream Act, a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, saying that the bill made Maryland appear as a sanctuary state.{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Alisha |title=Explaining the Maryland DREAM Act, referendum question four |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cct-arc-e5ba4c22-7c0e-54ad-8a78-59bb9735f3d7-20120916-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=September 16, 2012}}

In 2014, Ready condemned a proposal to house immigrant children at a former U.S. Army Reserve Center in Westminster, Maryland, and blamed the increase in immigrant children on President Barack Obama's immigration policies.{{cite news |title=Year in Review: Carroll reacts to proposal to house immigrant children |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-year-in-review-undocumented-20141226-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=December 26, 2014}}

In 2017, Ready supported the Trust Act, a bill that would prohibit police from asking about a detainee's immigration or citizenship status.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Bill to limit police involvement in immigration advances in Maryland Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-trust-act-compromise-20170407-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 7, 2017}} During the 2020 legislative session, he introduced legislation that would require state correctional facilities to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing detention centers in Prince George's and Montgomery counties of defying ICE requests.{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Bill from Carroll County senator requires cooperation with ICE; sheriff says that already happens locally |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-ready-ice-bill-immigration-sheriff-20200212-oxaehjkw7nde5cxhoxdjxgokre-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 12, 2020}} In 2021, Ready opposed the Dignity Not Detention Act, a bill that would end all contracts between state correctional facilities and ICE, arguing that it would make communities less safe.{{cite news |last1=Stole |first1=Bryn |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Maryland lawmakers restrict cooperation with federal immigration agencies, advance new congressional maps |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-session-tuesday-20211207-etxeetbyuzfrxfi5j2ujjm2xfy-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 7, 2021}}

In 2021, Ready said he opposed a bill to extend the state's earned income tax credit to non-citizens.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland senators advance tax credit for non-citizens left out of the RELIEF Act |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-ga-immigrant-relief-20210219-j3chmvqidnaxzp3kksqdruqslq-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 19, 2021}} In 2023, during debate on a bill to make the tax credit permanent, Ready introduced an amendment to phase out the credit for non-citizens, which was rejected in a 14–33 vote.{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |last3=Sears |first3=Bryan P. |last4=Zorzi |first4=William F. |title=Lawmakers churn through hundreds of bills on drama-free 'Crossover Day' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/03/20/lawmakers-churn-through-hundreds-of-bills-on-drama-free-crossover-day/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 20, 2023}}

Ready describes himself as being pro-police, but supports citizen oversight over the police and military.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Second Senate Panel Votes OK's Abolishing Handgun Board as Reluctant Zirkin Provides Pivotal Vote |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/03/19/second-senate-panel-votes-oks-abolishing-handgun-board-as-reluctant-zirkin-provides-pivotal-vote/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 19, 2019}} He has criticized police reform bills passed by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2021 legislative session, including a bill regulating police use of force policies,{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Senate Republicans, ACLU Knock Proposed Police Reform Legislation |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/09/22/senate-republicans-aclu-knock-proposed-police-reform-legislation/ |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 22, 2020}} which he called the "most dangerous provision in the police bill package".{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Carroll County lawmakers lament over 'one size fits all' police reform bills |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-county-police-reform-delegates-20210707-2vdcotof6jahtjhtxq3av3djjy-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=July 7, 2021}}

During the 2023 legislative session, Ready introduced a bill that would allow police departments to negotiate contracts to purchase police body cameras, citing the state's 2025 deadline to have on-duty officers wearing body cameras.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Proposed state bill could help Carroll police departments shoulder the high costs of body cameras |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-police-body-camera-legislation-20230212-y3dun2vdsbfxtlbhfoatmk542m-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 12, 2023}} He also criticized a bill to give the attorney general of Maryland sole prosecutorial power over police-involved incidents, imploring legislators to instead pass bills to deal with violent crime.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Maryland Senate approves bill to give attorney general more prosecutorial powers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-attorney-general-prosecutor-20230310-i2k7tn7vmna5rpf3iux3asxlvu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 9, 2023}}

During the 2012 legislative session, Ready voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland. He later supported a ballot referendum aimed at repealing the law, saying that he believed that the "institution of marriage" was between a man and a woman.{{cite news |last1=Knauer |first1=Carrie Ann |title=Religious beliefs, concerns about family life reasons given for not supporting same sex marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cct-arc-2a3f783a-7ca0-5b4a-934e-e48c0ef4faa2-20120923-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=September 23, 2012}} In 2022, he defended a Carroll County Board of Education policy banning pride flags in schools.{{cite news |title=Carroll County school board vote banning LGBTQ+ pride flags prompts battle on social media among politicians |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/education/cc-flag-reaction-lgbtq-pride-flags-20220612-qui6kzaqmvdufi2fxem4i56txy-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=June 12, 2022}} During the 2024 legislative session, Ready opposed a bill to provide legal protections to health care providers that provide gender-affirming care to out-of-state patients, arguing that it would expand access to gender-affirming care to minors.{{cite news |last1=Witte |first1=Brian |title=Maryland Senate approves legal protections for gender-affirming care |url=https://apnews.com/article/gender-affirming-treatment-maryland-85007cc3244f89953d316a609f81dbf1 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=March 5, 2024 |language=en}}

In December 2018, Ready signed onto an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case American Legion v. American Humanist Association defending the cross-shaped Peace Cross monument in Bladensburg, Maryland.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Jessica |title=State senators write brief in support of Bladensburg's Peace Cross |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-bladensburg-peace-cross-20181227-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 27, 2018}}

During the 2019 legislative session, Ready voted against a bill to raise the age to buy tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21, calling it "government overreach".{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=21 and up: Maryland General Assembly passes bill banning young adults from buying tobacco, nicotine products |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-tobacco-21-ban-20190403-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 2019}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Ready introduced legislation that would give college athletes the right to profit off their names and likenesses. The bill passed and became law.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=These new Maryland laws go into effect today, from ending the state song to addressing 'period poverty' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-july-1-new-laws-20210701-rw5r2zfghbfxnixjsj42bfhfze-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 1, 2021}}

In March 2022, Ready said he opposed a bill to provide $3.5 million toward training medical professionals to provide abortions, calling it "reckless and wrong".{{cite news |last1=Stole |first1=Bryn |title=Bill to expand Maryland abortion access heads to Gov. Larry Hogan's desk |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-abortion-access-20220330-viqzxzhl5bfrbgqhoxndtvvnyq-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 30, 2022}} During the 2023 legislative session, Ready sought to amend a bill creating a ballot referendum on codifying abortion access into the Constitution of Maryland to include a provision protecting the right to make reproductive decisions without being coerced by health care providers. The amendment was rejected.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Abortion referendum bill advances, would give voters choice in 2024 of enshrining access in state constitution |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-abortion-amendment-house-senate-floor-20230310-tfmipemxjngdlarwdlkfabwmxu-story.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 10, 2023}}

Ready is married and has two children.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 5A Republican primary election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/gen_results_2010_1_01605A.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready

|votes = 6,266

|percentage = 39.3

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Nancy R. Stocksdale (incumbent)

|votes = 4,196

|percentage = 26.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = William C. Niner

|votes = 4,173

|percentage = 26.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Dave Wallace

|votes = 1,316

|percentage = 8.3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 5A election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01605A.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready

|votes = 21,226

|percentage = 38.4

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Nancy R. Stocksdale (incumbent)

|votes = 19,046

|percentage = 34.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Francis X. Walsh

|votes = 7,688

|percentage = 13.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Sharon L. Baker

|votes = 7,250

|percentage = 13.1

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 110

|percentage = 0.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 5 election, 2014{{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_01605.html

| date = December 2, 2014}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Susan W. Krebs

|votes = 35,701

|percentage = 28.6

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready (incumbent)

|votes = 34,789

|percentage = 27.9

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Haven Shoemaker

|votes = 33,985

|percentage = 27.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dorothy G. Scanlan

|votes = 11,737

|percentage = 9.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Zachary Hands

|votes = 8,210

|percentage = 6.6

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 351

|percentage = 0.3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 5 Republican primary election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01505.html

| date = July 31, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready (incumbent)

|votes = 10,745

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 5 election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01505.html

| date = December 11, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready (incumbent)

|votes = 39,568

|percentage = 71.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jamie O'Marr

|votes = 15,739

|percentage = 28.4

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 63

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 5 election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_5.html

| date = December 7, 2022}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Justin Ready (incumbent)

|votes = 39,484

|percentage = 96.1

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 1,598

|percentage = 3.9

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• {{C-SPAN|120160}}

{{Current Maryland State Senators}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ready, Justin D.}}

Category:1982 births

Category:Alabama Republicans

Category:Living people

Category:Maryland Republicans

Category:People from Westminster, Maryland

Category:Politicians from Mobile, Alabama

Category:Republican Party Maryland state senators

Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:Salisbury University alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly