Robert Zirkin

Zirkin was born in Davis, California, on April 24, 1971, to Barry and Barbara Zirkin.{{cite news |last1=Feiler |first1=Alan |title=Dr. Barbara G. Zirkin, Academic and Mother of State Senator, Dies at 75 |url=https://jmoreliving.com/2019/06/21/dr-barbara-g-zirkin-academic-and-mother-of-state-senator-dies-at-75/ |access-date=May 29, 2024 |work=JMORE |date=June 21, 2019}} He grew up in Pikesville, Maryland{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Peter |title='Citizen Legislator' Bobby Zirkin |url=https://jmoreliving.com/2017/08/23/citizen-legislator/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=JMORE |date=August 23, 2017}} and graduated from Pikesville High School. He later attended the London School of Economics through American University in 1992 and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in political science with honors in 1993, and Georgetown University, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1998. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2000.{{cite web |title=Robert A. Zirkin, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/former/html/msa02791.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=June 13, 2024 |date=March 14, 2022}}

Zirkin says he has been involved in politics since he was in elementary school, when his parents would take him canvassing while volunteering for local campaigns, including for the Smith-Greenspring Association. After graduating from Johns Hopkins, he served as the president of Young Democrats of Maryland from 1994 to 1995 and spoke at the 1996 Democratic National Convention.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=C. Fraser |title=Maryland delegates get upbeat marching orders Campaign emphasizes repetition of themes on Clinton successes |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/08/27/maryland-delegates-get-upbeat-marching-orders-campaign-emphasizes-repetition-of-themes-on-clinton-successes-democratic-convention-campaign-1996/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 27, 1996}}

Zirkin operated his own solo practice from 2008 to 2015, afterwards opening the Zirkin and Schmerling Law firm, which focuses on criminal law, family law, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Powerful Committee Chairman Zirkin to Step Down |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2019/12/03/powerful-committee-chairman-zirkin-to-step-down/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 3, 2019}}

Zirkin was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998{{cite news |last1=Carson |first1=Larry |title=Spending disparities mark Balto. County races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-spending-disparities-m/154286285/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 31, 1998 |via=Newspapers.com |id={{ProQuest|406378622}}}} and sworn in on January 13, 1999. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee during his entire tenure, including as the chair of its juvenile law subcommittee from 2003 to 2007, and was a member of the Baltimore County Delegation.

On July 18, 2005, Zirkin announced that he would run for the Maryland Senate in District 11, seeking to succeed Paula Hollinger, who retired to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 3rd congressional district.{{cite news |title=Del. Zirkin announces run for 11th District Senate seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/07/19/citycounty-digest-408/ |access-date=June 17, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 19, 2005 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617131736/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/07/19/citycounty-digest-408/ |archive-date=June 17, 2024}} He won the September 2006 Democratic primary with 71.3 percent of the vote,{{cite news |last1=Barnhardt |first1=Laura |last2=Mitchell |first2=Josh |title=Some votes remain too close to call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-some-votes-remain-too/154286304/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 14, 2006 |via=Newspapers.com |id={{ProQuest|406124758}}}} and defeated Republican Jeffrey Yablon in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Barnhardt |first1=Laura |last2=Mitchell |first2=Josh |title=Brochin leading in early returns |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/11/08/sen-brochin-holds-strong-lead-2/ |access-date=June 17, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 8, 2006 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617133209/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/11/08/sen-brochin-holds-strong-lead-2/ |archive-date=June 17, 2024}}

Zirkin was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 10, 2007. He was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee during his first term from 2007 to 2010, afterwards serving in the Judicial Proceedings Committee for the remainder of his tenure. Media outlets described Zirkin as a centrist and political moderate{{cite news |last1=Feiler |first1=Alan |title=Sen. Bobby Zirkin to Resign after Two Decades in the General Assembly |url=https://jmoreliving.com/2019/12/03/sen-bobby-zirkin-to-resign-after-two-decades-in-general-assembly/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=JMORE |date=December 3, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Zirkin to retire from Maryland Senate |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2019/12/03/zirkin-to-retire-from-maryland-senate/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=December 3, 2019}} who frequently clashed with progressive groups, legislators, and activists.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Bobby Zirkin, a moderating force in the Maryland Senate, will resign his seat |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/bobby-zirkin-a-moderating-force-in-the-maryland-senate-will-resign-his-seat/2019/12/03/6ffb5936-15d1-11ea-9110-3b34ce1d92b1_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=December 3, 2019}} After state senator Brian Frosh was elected Attorney General of Maryland in November 2014, Senate President Thomas V. Miller Jr. appointed Zirkin as the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Zirkin named chairman of judicial panel in Md. Senate, among other assignments |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/zirkin-named-chairman-of-judicial-panel-in-md-senate-among-other-assignments/2014/12/03/517415ce-7b27-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=December 3, 2014}}

File:Robert Zirkin and Larry Hogan (2017).jpg

Zirkin has a history of ingratiating himself with Republicans in the General Assembly and Governor Larry Hogan. During his tenure in the legislature, Zirkin attended Hogan's 2017 press conference where he announced his support for Zirkin's bill to ban fracking in Maryland; endorsed Republicans in competitive county executive elections; and appeared at several fundraisers held by Republican members of the Judicial Proceedings committee.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Josh Kurtz: Meet Larry Hogan's New Best Friend |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2018/08/16/josh-kurtz-meet-larry-hogan-39-s-new-best-friend/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=August 16, 2018}} During an August 2018 interview with the Daily Record, Zirkin accused Ben Jealous, the Democratic nominee for governor in the 2018 Maryland gubernatorial election, of attempting to politicize judicial appointments in Maryland, which he considered out of character for the state,{{cite news |last1=Lash |first1=Steve |title=Zirkin assails Jealous for likening Court of Appeals to Supreme Court |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2018/08/14/bobby-zirkin-ben-jealous-court-of-appeals/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=August 14, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |last2=Gaines |first2=Danielle E. |title=Six Big Decisions the Governor Will Make in the Next Four Years |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2018/11/06/six-big-decisions-the-governor-will-make-in-the-next-four-years/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 6, 2018}} and criticized his criminal justice platform as being unrealistic.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |title=Hogan pitches modest vision while Jealous aims to reshape state government. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/hogan-pitches-modest-vision-while-jealous-aims-to-reshape-state-government/2018/09/22/9329b936-bcf7-11e8-8792-78719177250f_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=September 23, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=As Ben Jealous runs to the left, some Democrats keep distance or embrace Hogan |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/09/23/as-ben-jealous-runs-to-the-left-some-democrats-keep-distance-or-embrace-hogan/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 23, 2018}} Despite this, Zirkin did not endorse either candidate in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Democratic Sen. Mathias all but endorses Hogan |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2018/09/14/mathias-hogan-endorse-maryland-governor/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=September 15, 2018}}

Zirkin became less focused on his legislative career after his mother died from cancer in June 2019, prompting rumors that he would resign. Zirkin resigned from the Senate effective January 1, 2020, saying that politics had become too divisive and driven by special interests and social media.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore County member of General Assembly since 1999, says he's resigning next month |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-zirkin-20191203-pnoebxcarfax3nnzrtxkek6jpy-story.html |access-date=February 3, 2020 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 3, 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204132225/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-zirkin-20191203-pnoebxcarfax3nnzrtxkek6jpy-story.html |archive-date=December 4, 2019}} He was succeeded by state delegate Shelly L. Hettleman.{{cite news |last1=DeVille |first1=Taylor |title=Baltimore County Democrats nominate state delegate, Catonsville progressive for vacant seats |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2020/01/28/baltimore-county-democrats-nominate-state-delegate-catonsville-progressive-for-vacant-seats/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 28, 2020}}

In December 2020, a year after his resignation, Zirkin started his own lobbying firm, Zirkin & Schmerling Government Relations.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Zirkin Joining Ranks of Registered State House Lobbyists |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2020/12/15/zirkin-joining-ranks-of-registered-state-house-lobbyists/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 15, 2020}} He lobbied on behalf of the Catholic Church in opposition to the Maryland Child Victims Act, which would extend the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Zirkin Returns to Old Committee to Testify Against Wilson's Child Sex Abuse Bill |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/05/zirkin-returns-to-old-committee-to-testify-against-wilsons-child-sex-abuse-bill/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 5, 2021}} After the bill passed during the 2023 legislative session, Zirkin was reported to be advertising services to abuse survivors.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-zirkin-ads-child-victims-act-20230602-pk4q2cydafgefla6432sgtaxum-story.html |title=Ex-Maryland state Sen. Robert 'Bobby' Zirkin advertises legal assistance under Child Victims Act, which he once testified against |access-date=June 5, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 5, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605092823/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-zirkin-ads-child-victims-act-20230602-pk4q2cydafgefla6432sgtaxum-story.html |archive-date=June 5, 2023}}

In May 2024, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan announced that Zirkin would co-chair the "Democrats for Hogan" organization supporting his 2024 U.S. Senate campaign.{{cite news |last1=Fortinsky |first1=Sarah |title=Hogan urges Democrats to back him in Maryland Senate race with new video |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4665851-hogan-urges-democrats-back-him-maryland-senate-race/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |work=The Hill |date=May 15, 2024}} In interviews with The Washington Post and Maryland Matters, Zirkin said that he was supporting Hogan in part because of his positions on Israel,{{cite news |last1=Schwartzman |first1=Paul |last2=Cox |first2=Erin |title=Larry Hogan has won statewide twice. But now everything is different. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/05/15/maryland-senate-larry-hogan/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=May 15, 2024}} noting that Alsobrooks had been endorsed by U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen, who has been critical of U.S. support for Israel's military amid the Gaza war.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Get ready for a 'Groundhog Day' Senate election |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/05/20/get-ready-for-a-groundhog-day-senate-election/ |access-date=May 20, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 20, 2024}}

Zirkin is married to his wife Tina. Together, they have two daughters and live in Pikesville, Maryland. He is Jewish and a member of the Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Stevenson, Maryland.

File:Orioles Home Opener (33858771705).jpg

In April 2017, Zirkin threw the first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Opening Day.{{cite news |last1=Seidel |first1=Jeff |title=Zirkin Throws Out First Pitch at Orioles' Opening Day at Camden Yards |url=https://jmoreliving.com/2017/04/05/zirkin-throws-first-pitch-orioles-opening-day-camden-yards/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=JMORE |date=April 5, 2017}}

During the 2009 legislative session, Zirkin amended a bill partially repealing the death penalty to require a murderer's conviction to be based on DNA evidence to be eligible for the death sentence.{{cite news |title=Md. Senate approves death penalty bill |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2009/03/05/md-senate-approves-death-penalty-bill/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=March 5, 2009}} He was considered to be the swing vote for a bill to repeal the death penalty in Maryland in 2013,{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |last2=Davis |first2=Aaron C. |title=Md. Senate panel approves measures on death penalty repeal, tighter gun-control |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/omalley-bill-to-repeal-maryland-death-penalty-clears-senate-panel/2013/02/21/25d54e26-7c53-11e2-a044-676856536b40_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 2013}} which he ultimately supported,{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Zirkin announces support for death penalty repeal, bolstering prospects for passage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/zirkin-announces-support-for-death-penalty-repeal-bolstering-prospects-for-passage/2013/02/20/fd68b7fa-7bd2-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 20, 2013}} but later said that he had no moral qualms with seeing "horrible monsters" being put to death.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Death penalty repeal approved by Maryland Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/death-penalty-repeal-approved-by-maryland-senate/2013/03/06/368ef95a-8663-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 6, 2013}}

During the 2014 legislative session, Zirkin opposed a bill to reform the state's bail-setting practices to use computers instead of District Court commissioners to determine who should go free pending trial, instead supporting a bill that would add an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to overturn the Maryland Court of Appeals' unanimous 2017 decision that prohibits judges from setting bails that defendants are unable to pay.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |last2=Kunkle |first2=Fredrick |title=Md. Senate approves measure to streamline bail |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/2014/03/31/2de47726-b943-11e3-9a05-c739f29ccb08_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 31, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Kunkle |first1=Fredrick |title=Maryland on the verge of providing lawyers to indigent defendants at initial bail hearings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-on-the-verge-of-providing-lawyers-to-indigent-defendents-at-initial-bail-hearings/2014/05/04/067f4428-d161-11e3-9e25-188ebe1fa93b_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=May 4, 2014}}

During the 2018 legislative session, Zirkin introduced an omnibus crime bill that would increase the maximum penalties for using a gun while committing a violent felony from 20 to 40 years in prison, provide $21 million to violence prevention programs over four years, and repeal a law that allows defendants charged with or serving a sentence for a violent crime to be transferred from jail for drug treatment.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Md. lawmakers struggle for ways to address crime in one of the nation's most violent cities |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-lawmakers-struggle-for-ways-to-address-crime-in-one-of-the-nations-most-violent-cities/2018/03/24/6ca5e59e-289d-11e8-874b-d517e912f125_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 24, 2018}} Many of the bill's provisions were taken from proposals by Republican Governor Larry Hogan, who introduced them as part of a package of bills to combat street violence and reimplement mandatory minimum sentencing.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Maryland Senate readies crime bill that includes some of Gov. Hogan's ideas, cuts others |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/03/04/maryland-senate-readies-crime-bill-that-includes-some-of-gov-hogans-ideas-cuts-others/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 4, 2018}} The bill was opposed by Progressive Maryland, who called it "racially bigoted injustice" written by white supremacists that is designed for mass incarceration of Black people and "genocide". In response, Zirkin spoke on the Senate floor against Progressive Maryland, calling the group's members "lint" and "crazies" and condemning the group's use of the term genocide as it evoked memories of the Holocaust.{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Zirkin, Md. senators take offense to Progressive Maryland tactics |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2018/03/27/zirkin-progressive-maryland-offensive-bigoted/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Daily Record |date=March 27, 2018}} Zirkin's bill passed the Senate, but was rejected by the House of Delegates.{{cite news |last1=Chason |first1=Rachel |title=Maryland lawmakers reject wide-ranging crime bill, pass more modest measures |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-lawmakers-reject-wide-ranging-crime-bill-pass-more-modest-measures/2018/04/07/db35bd2e-39ee-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 7, 2018}}

During the 2019 legislative session, Zirkin introduced Grace's Law 2.0, which increased the state's penalties for cyber harassment from a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $500 fine to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill was named for Grace McComas, a 15-year-old who took their own life in 2012 following online taunts and hate speech.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Cyberbullying Bill Sails Through Senate, Faces Questions in House Committee |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2019/02/07/cyberbullying-bill-sails-through-senate-faces-questions-in-house-committee/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 8, 2019}} The bill unanimously passed the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=From Tragedy Comes Action - New Cyberbullying Law Said to Be Strongest in the Nation |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2019/04/18/from-tragedy-comes-action-new-cyberbullying-law-said-to-be-strongest-in-the-nation/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 18, 2019}}

Zirkin repeatedly introduced bills to ban fracking in Maryland,{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Josh |title=A new fracking fight is brewing in Maryland |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/a-new-fracking-fight-is-brewing-in-maryland/2016/06/24/d561aece-3a1f-11e6-8f7c-d4c723a2becb_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=June 24, 2016}} including in 2017,{{cite news |last1=Hicks |first1=Josh |last2=Wiggins |first2=Ovetta |title=Governor calls for ban on fracking in Maryland |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-gov-hogan-calls-to-ban-fracking-in-the-state/2017/03/17/2ea1e00c-0b45-11e7-93dc-00f9bdd74ed1_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 17, 2017}} which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.{{cite news |last1=Witte |first1=Brian |title=Maryland governor signs fracking ban into law |url=https://apnews.com/24eda3ec67404981bc562f9177c7871a |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=April 4, 2017}} During the 2015 legislative session, he introduced a bill to hold energy companies financially liable for injury, death, or loss of property caused by fracking.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jenna |last2=Wiggins |first2=Ovetta |title=As fracking becomes a possibility in Maryland, lawmakers try to stall it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/as-fracking-becomes-a-possibility-in-maryland-lawmakers-try-to-stall-it/2015/03/24/77de97ae-d22d-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 24, 2015}}

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin amended the Firearm Safety Act to add a provision banning patients admitted to a hospital for emergency mental health evaluations on the recommendation of a doctor from purchasing a firearm.{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Aaron C. |title=Md. gun-control bill clears state Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-gun-control-bill-passes-key-test-in-state-senate/2013/02/28/fe784012-8199-11e2-a350-49866afab584_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 28, 2013}} In 2016, he supported a bill to ban guns from college campuses.{{cite news |last1=Leaderman |first1=Daniel |title=Md. campus gun ban fails after last stand at last minute |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2016/04/12/md-campus-gun-ban-resurfaces-as-amendment-to-different-bill/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=April 12, 2016}} In 2019, Zirkin voted for a bill to repeal Maryland's Handgun Permit Review Board.{{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://marylandmatters.org/2019/03/19/second-senate-panel-votes-oks-abolishing-handgun-board-as-reluctant-zirkin-provides-pivotal-vote/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 20, 2019}}

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin opposed the Trust Act, which would prohibit local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After the bill failed to pass that year, state delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk criticized Zirkin as a "Democrat In Name Only" and called on his constituents to vote against him in the Democratic primaries that year.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Remains of immigration 'Trust Act' falter in General Assembly |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2017/04/10/remains-of-immigration-trust-act-falter-in-general-assembly/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 10, 2017}} During a Jews United for Justice meeting in July 2017, he said that he supported "nine out of ten provisions in the bill", but opposed the provision that would prohibit detainee fingerprints from going to ICE, which he worried would protect people on the Terrorist Screening Database.{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Peter |title=Chizuk Amuno and Jews United for Justice Host Meeting with Bobby Zirkin |url=https://jmoreliving.com/2017/07/27/chizuk-amuno-and-jews-united-for-justice-host-meeting-with-bobby-zirkin/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=JMORE |date=July 27, 2017}}

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill that would prohibit the state from contracting with companies that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.{{cite news |last1=Altshuler |first1=George |title=Md. legislators to push anti-BDS bill |url=https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/md-legislators-to-push-anti-bds-bill/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Washington Jewish Week |date=January 18, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Bill brings Middle East boycott conflict to Annapolis |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2017/02/09/bill-brings-middle-east-boycott-conflict-to-annapolis/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 9, 2017}} After the bill failed to pass, Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order codifying it into law.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Hogan signs order opposing BDS, bars state business with companies that boycott Israel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/hogan-signs-order-opposing-bds-bars-state-business-with-companies-that-boycott-israel/2017/10/23/3b26e59e-b7e7-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 23, 2017}}

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and reduce fines for possession to a maximum of $100.{{cite news |last1=Schwartzman |first1=Paul |title=Maryland marijuana bill would end jail time and reduce the fine for small amounts |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-marijuana-bill-would-end-jail-time-and-reduce-the-fine-for-small-amounts/2013/03/17/c3522310-8cd7-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 17, 2013}} He reintroduced the bill in 2014, during which it passed and was signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley.{{cite news |last1=Kunkle |first1=Fredrick |last2=Wagner |first2=John |title=Maryland Gov. O'Malley will sign marijuana decriminalization bill, he says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-gov-omalley-will-sign-marijuana-decriminalization-bill-senior-aide-says/2014/04/07/d50ec44c-be8f-11e3-bcec-b71ee10e9bc3_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 7, 2014}}

Zirkin voted against a bill that would require employers to pay sick leave during the 2017 legislative session, but voted in January 2018 to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto on the bill.{{cite news |last1=Zorzi |first1=William F. |title=Zirkin Provides Extra Vote for Sick Leave Veto Override |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2018/01/12/zirkin-provides-extra-vote-for-sick-leave-veto-override/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 13, 2018}}

In 2006, Zirkin opposed attempts to force a vote on an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to ban gay marriage in 2006.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Robert |last2=Mosk |first2=Matthew |title=Gay Marriage Ban Fails in Md. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/02/03/gay-marriage-ban-fails-in-md-span-classbankheadgop-sponsor-vows-to-revive-measure-with-parliamentary-ploysspan/904abf61-919a-49db-9565-330dc05544a0/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 3, 2006}} He was a co-sponsor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland in 2012,{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Greg |title=How the Md. Senate voted on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/how-the-md-senate-voted-on-same-sex-marriage/2012/02/24/gIQACTHxXR_blog.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 24, 2012}} and of a 2014 bill to prohibit discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, and public accommodations.{{cite news |title=Transgender rights bill introduced in Annapolis |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2014/01/14/transgender-rights-bill-introduced-in-annapolis-2/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 14, 2014}}

During the 2013 legislative session, Zirkin introduced a bill that would ban smoking in cars when there is a passenger younger than eight years old.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=Md. Senate votes to outlaw smoking in cars with young children as passengers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-senate-votes-to-outlaw-smoking-in-cars-with-young-children-as-passengers/2013/03/20/a13aa0f8-916f-11e2-9abd-e4c5c9dc5e90_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 20, 2013}} The bill passed the Senate, but died in the House of Delegates.{{cite news |last1=Kunkle |first1=Fredrick |title=Maryland's activist government is progressive to some, an intrusive Mary Poppins to others |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/marylands-activist-government-is-progressive-to-some-an-intrusive-mary-poppins-to-others/2014/04/13/3d87b60e-c1c0-11e3-b195-dd0c1174052c_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 13, 2014}}

During the 2016 legislative session, Zirkin pushed for an amendment to weaken Alex and Calvin's Law—a bill to increase penalties for people who provide alcohol to someone younger than 21 years old—by only allowing jail time and higher fines only if the adult in question "knew or should have known" that an underage drinker would drive, and if the driver caused "serious injury or death to the individual or another."{{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=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 19, 2016}} He also sought to introduce an amendment to Noah's Law—a bill expanding the use of ignition locks on drunk drivers' vehicles—that would allow punitive damages in civil lawsuits involving drunk drivers.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |last2=Hicks |first2=Josh |title=Last-minute punitive damages amendment could jeopardize Noah's Law |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/last-minute-punitive-damages-amenment-could-jeopardize-noahs-law/2016/04/10/3e5fb59e-ff4f-11e5-9203-7b8670959b88_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 10, 2016}}

In March 2016, Zirkin supported a bill to limit when the Maryland Transit Administration could use devices to record the conversations of passengers, calling it "indiscriminate mass surveillance" and an encroachment of people's privacy rights.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Devices on public buses in Maryland are listening to private conversations |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/devices-on-public-buses-in-maryland-are-listening-to-private-conversations/2016/02/29/325e1d1e-df36-11e5-8d98-4b3d9215ade1_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 1, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Senate gives preliminary OK to limits on transit audio recording |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2016/03/02/senate-gives-preliminary-ok-to-limits-on-transit-audio-recording/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 2, 2016}}

During the 2017 legislative session, Zirkin expressed concerns with a bill that would allow a woman who becomes pregnant during a rape to terminate the attacker's parental rights, saying that he was troubled with the idea of a man losing his parental rights without being convicted of sexual assault. After the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee made changes to the bill following its passage in the House of Delegates, Zirkin appointed himself, bill sponsor William C. Smith Jr., and Michael Hough to a conference committee to negotiate the final wording of the bill.{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=In Maryland, one rape-law defeat threatens to overshadow other victories |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/in-maryland-one-rape-law-defeat-threatens-to-overshadow-other-victories/2017/05/06/18cad5d4-2f5f-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |date=May 6, 2017}} The committee appeared to reach an agreement, but could not get the bill's new text printed before the legislature adjourned sine die at midnight.{{cite news |last1=Duncan |first1=Ian |title=Bill to let women end parental rights of rapists fails in General Assembly |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2017/04/11/bill-to-let-women-end-parental-rights-of-rapists-fails-in-general-assembly/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 11, 2017}}

During the 2019 legislative session, Zirkin voted for the End-of-Life Option Act, which would provide terminally ill patients with medical aid in dying, after adding amendments to the bill to raise the age limit, require mental health assessments, and remove immunity clauses for doctors who offer the prescriptions.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Watered-Down Aid-in-Dying Bill Clears Senate Committee |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2019/03/22/watered-down-aid-in-dying-bill-clears-senate-committee/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 22, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Medical Aid-in-Dying Bill Fails in Tie Senate Vote |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2019/03/27/medical-aid-in-dying-bill-fails-in-tie-senate-vote/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 27, 2019}}

During the 2012 legislative session, Zirkin opposed a bill to raise taxes on Marylanders that earn at least half a million dollars a year, accusing legislators of singling out a certain class.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |last2=Linskey |first2=Annie |title=Maryland Senate votes to tax the rich |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/03/15/maryland-senate-votes-to-tax-the-rich-3/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2012}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 11 Democratic primary election, 1998{{cite web |title=1998 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/gahod.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2024 |date=October 24, 2000}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Michael J. Finifter

|votes = 7,350

|percentage = 24.6

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Dan K. Morhaim

|votes = 5,656

|percentage = 18.9

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Robert Zirkin

|votes = 5,178

|percentage = 17.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Robert L. Frank (incumbent)

|votes = 5,082

|percentage = 17.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Robyn I. Stevens

|votes = 3,693

|percentage = 12.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Theodore Levin

|votes = 2,900

|percentage = 9.7

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 11 general election, 1998{{cite web |title=1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/gahod.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2024 |date=October 24, 2000}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Michael J. Finifter

|votes = 26,823

|percentage = 21.5

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Dan K. Morhaim

|votes = 26,452

|percentage = 21.2

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Robert Zirkin

|votes = 24,231

|percentage = 19.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = Virginia G. Schuster

|votes = 17,825

|percentage = 14.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = Christian Cavey

|votes = 15,574

|percentage = 12.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = Grant Harding

|votes = 13,710

|percentage = 11.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (US)

|candidate = William T. Newton (write-in)

|votes = 64

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 11 general election, 2002{{cite web |title=2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2002/results/g_ld11.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2024 |date=December 2, 2002}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Robert Zirkin (incumbent)

|votes = 30,467

|percentage = 23.5

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Jon Cardin

|votes = 29,480

|percentage = 22.7

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Dan K. Morhaim (incumbent)

|votes = 28,098

|percentage = 21.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = J. Michael Collins Sr.

|votes = 14,601

|percentage = 11.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = Betty L. Wagner

|votes = 13,483

|percentage = 10.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Republican Party

|candidate = Grant Harding

|votes = 13,411

|percentage = 10.3

}}

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

|votes = 130

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 11 Democratic primary election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 11

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/primary/legislative_district_11.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Zirkin

|votes = 14,362

|percentage = 71.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Rifkin

|votes = 5,779

|percentage = 28.7

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 11

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_11.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Zirkin

|votes = 34,782

|percentage = 70.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jeffrey S. Yablon

|votes = 14,312

|percentage = 29.1

}}

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

|votes = 46

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01511.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Zirkin (incumbent)

|votes = 38,730

|percentage = 98.4

}}

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

|votes = 644

|percentage = 1.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 11 general election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01511.html

| date = December 2, 2014}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Zirkin (incumbent)

|votes = 30,201

|percentage = 97.5

}}

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

|votes = 765

|percentage = 2.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = Maryland's 11th Senate district general 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_01511.html

| date = December 11, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Robert Zirkin (incumbent)

| votes = 40,472

| percentage = 96.9

}}

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

| votes = 1,299

| percentage = 3.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zirkin, Robert A.}}

Category:1971 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:Democratic Party Maryland state senators

Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:Georgetown University Law Center alumni

Category:Jewish American state legislators in Maryland

Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni

Category:Maryland lawyers

Category:People from Pikesville, Maryland

Category:Politicians from Baltimore County, Maryland

Category:American lobbyists

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