Robin Ficker

Ficker was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, attended Takoma Park Elementary, and graduated from Montgomery Blair High School.{{cite news |title=2009 Voters Guide: Robin Ficker |url=http://www.gazette.net/votersguide09/candidates/ficker.shtml |work=The Gazette |date=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024534/http://www.gazette.net/votersguide09/candidates/ficker.shtml |archive-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite news|last1=Chavez|first1=Jack|date=August 13, 2017|title=Robin Ficker runs red in a county painted blue|work=Takoma Voice|url=https://takomavoice.com/2017/08/13/voice-exclusive-robin-ficker-runs-red-county-painted-blue/}}

Ficker attended the United States Military Academy for five semesters.{{cite news |title=Perennial candidate Ficker seeks District 2 County Council seat for Republicans |first=Susan |last=Singer-Bart |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/08112010/germnew174517_32544.php |newspaper=The Gazette |publisher=Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net |location=Gaithersburg, Maryland |date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815051329/http://www.gazette.net/stories/08112010/germnew174517_32544.php |archive-date=August 15, 2010}} He received a B.S. in electrical and mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Ficker attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School, receiving his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.{{cite news |last1=Ruane |first1=Michael E. |title=Republican Primaries: U.S. Senate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/03/01/republican-primaries-us-senate/97c265c9-8e07-48f9-a230-7df12ca25f8d/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 1, 2000}} He also received an M.A. in public administration from American University in 1969.

Ficker was a member of the Maryland Bar from 1973 until his disbarment in 2022.{{cite news |title=Ficker law license reinstated |first=Janel |last=Davis |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/12242008/montnew205801_32477.shtml |newspaper=The Gazette |publisher=Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net |location=Gaithersburg, Maryland |date=December 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509210859/http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/12242008/montnew205801_32477.shtml |archive-date=May 9, 2012}} His first case, seeking to end the National Football League's blackout of sold-out home games, went to the Supreme Court of the United States.{{Cite news | first=Dan | last=Daly | title=Ficker Might Deserve Spot On List Of Football Heroes | newspaper=The Washington Times | page=D7 | date=October 12, 1990}} In 1973, Ficker, representing Deborah Drudge, gained a consent judgment signed by Federal District Court Judge Roszel C. Thomsen, forbidding evaluations based on facial features and physique, for positions in the office of the Montgomery County Attorney. The judgment said no future applicant could be asked questions about marital status or childcare arrangements. On January 6, 1986, U.S. District Court Judge Norman Ramsey ordered, in a suit brought by Ficker against the Montgomery County Board of Elections, that Md. Election Code Art. 33, S 23-5(4) limiting the payment of money to petition circulators for initiative measures be declared null and void under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Ficker won two landmark injunctions preventing the state of Maryland from denying access to serious traffic and criminal court records. In 1992, U.S. District Court Judge Eugene Nickerson granted Ficker an injunction against provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act that denied access to police reports, criminal charging documents, and traffic citations in the Maryland Automated Traffic System. A 2003 Attorneys General opinion said the 1992 "Ficker order is still in effect and enforceable". In 1997, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Ficker successfully challenged the constitutionality of a Maryland law forbidding lawyers from targeted direct-mail solicitation of criminal and traffic defendants within 30 days of arrest.{{cite web |title=Ficker v. Curran |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-4th-circuit/1297284.html |website=FindLaw |date=July 23, 1997}}

In October 2009, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Ficker convinced parks officials in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties to rescind enforcement of a rule requiring a permit before a person could carry signs or solicit signatures in county parks.{{Cite news | first=Michael | last=Laris | title=It Was No Walk in the Park for Campaigners | newspaper=The Washington Post | page=B2 | date=October 13, 2009}} In 2013, Ficker represented a Hyattsville man who was found not guilty by a jury of all 23 counts in a case of attempted murder, armed robbery, carjacking, assault and eluding police, among other charges.{{cite news|title=Hyattsville man found not guilty of attempted murder, carjacking charges|url=http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=22067 |access-date=September 9, 2017|newspaper=The Gazette|date=April 18, 2013}}

In 2013, Ficker received widespread attention for securing school suspension reversals and disciplinary record expungement for children aged 5 to 7. A six-year-old in Maryland had been charged with threatening "to shoot a student" for pointing his finger and saying "pow".{{cite news|title=School officials reverse suspension of 6-year-old Silver Spring student|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-silver-spring-suspension-of-6-year-old-student-is-reversed-by-school-officials/2013/01/04/4dcbb0d8-561e-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 4, 2013|first=Donna|last=St. George}} A Pennsylvania five-year-old was said to be making a "terroristic threat" by talking about a Hello Kitty bubble-blowing gun.{{cite news|title=Bubble gun incident resolved; girl, 5, back in school Thursday|url=http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/bubble_gun_suspension_issues_r.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Patriot News|date=January 30, 2013}} A Virginia six-year-old had been suspended for pointing his finger at another student who pretended to shoot him with a bow and arrow after their class had studied Native American culture.{{cite news|title=Finger guns, toy guns and threats: The fallout of Sandy Hook|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/finger-guns-toy-guns-and-threats-the-fallout-of-sandy-hook/2013/02/17/d021b4fe-7533-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 17, 2013|first=Donna|last=St. George}}{{cite news|title=Record cleared for Prince William boy who pointed finger like a gun|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/record-cleared-for-prince-william-boy-who-pointed-finger-like-a-gun/2013/02/18/cd0c53a2-7a18-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 18, 2013|first=Donna|last=St. George}} A five-year-old Southern Maryland child had been suspended for 10 days for bringing a cap gun onto a school bus to show a friend.{{cite news|title=Calvert boy with toy cap gun won't have record; suspension reversed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/boy-5-is-cleared-for-cowboy-style-cap-gun-offense-in-calvert-county/2013/06/27/f276a53e-deb3-11e2-b2d4-ea6d8f477a01_story.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 27, 2013|first=Donna|last=St. George}} Still pending in Maryland is the matter of a suspended seven-year-old who chewed a toaster pastry into the shape of a gun.{{cite news|title=Pastry gun case: Request to clear school record turned down|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/pastry-gun-case-request-to-clear-school-record-turned-down/2013/06/10/719fbb3c-d1ff-11e2-a73e-826d299ff459_story.html|access-date=June 30, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 10, 2013|first=Donna|last=St. George}}

{{Main article|2015 Washington, D.C., quadruple murder incident}}

When ex-convict Daron Dylon Wint was arrested and charged in the deaths of three family members and their housekeeper, in which a ten-year-old child was tortured in order to extract money from the child's father, Ficker said Wint had not seemed violent when he defended him in earlier cases. "My impression of him —I remember him rather well —is that he wouldn't hurt a fly. He's a very nice person", Ficker said.{{cite news|last1=Nuckols|first1=Ben|title=Suspect in killings of wealthy DC family arrested|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4c2cb1e7a0e14dbbad799c78e9b43957/suspect-killings-wealthy-dc-family-arrested|access-date=May 22, 2015|agency=Associated Press|date=May 22, 2015|archive-date=May 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523162939/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4c2cb1e7a0e14dbbad799c78e9b43957/suspect-killings-wealthy-dc-family-arrested|url-status=dead}}

Ficker called Wint "kind and gentle" and said that authorities had arrested "the wrong guy" in the murder case: "They've made a big mistake here."{{cite news|last1=Botelho|first1=Greg|title=Who is DC murder suspect Darron Dellon Dennis Wint ?|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/22/us/washington-murder-suspect-wint/|access-date=May 23, 2015|publisher=CNN|date=May 22, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/lawyer-dc-mansion-murder-suspect-daron-wint-gentle/story?id=31411220|title=Lawyer: DC Mansion Murder Suspect Daron Wint a 'Gentle Person'|website=ABC News|date=May 30, 2015}}

Wint was found guilty in 2018 and sentenced in 2019 to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.{{cite news |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/daron-wint-sentenced-to-4-consecutive-life-without-release-terms-in-mansion-murders-case |title=Daron Wint sentenced to 4 consecutive life-without-release terms in Mansion Murders case |access-date=April 18, 2020 |work=FOX 5 DC |date=February 1, 2019}}

In 1990, Ficker was publicly reprimanded by the Maryland Court of Appeals upon a finding that he had violated ethical rules prohibiting neglect, engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and lack of diligence.{{cite news |first=Nickolai |last=Sukharev |url=https://mont.thesentinel.com/2018/09/23/ficker-goes-from-heckler-to-candidate/ |title=Ficker goes from heckler to candidate |newspaper=Montgomery County Sentinel |date=September 23, 2018}}

In March 1998, he was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, with the right to reapply for admission after 120 days, arising from violations related to competence, diligence, fairness to opposing counsel and parties, supervising lawyers and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.{{cite news |first=Andrea F. |last=Siegel |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-03-11-1998070028-story.html |title=Super fan Ficker's law license suspended Court cites lax practices by firm run by longtime heckler on Bullets' behalf |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 11, 1998}}

In August 1998, Ficker was privately reprimanded by the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission for a violation related to competence. In 2002, the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission privately reprimanded him for a violation related to client communications. Ficker was again indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in 2007. A dissenting judge in that suspension commented, "If disbarment is not warranted in this case for these types of issues, with a respondent with this history, it will never be warranted."{{cite web |title=Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Ficker |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/md-court-of-appeals/1453060.html |website=FindLaw |access-date=December 24, 2019 |date=June 7, 2007}} Ficker's law license was reinstated on December 8, 2008.{{cite news |title=Reporter's Notebook: Let's do it again |first=Janel |last=Davis |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/061308/polinew202618_32360.shtml |newspaper=The Gazette |publisher=Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net |location=Gaithersburg, Maryland |date=June 13, 2008}}{{cite news |first=Lisa |last=Leff |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/04/19/md-court-reprimands-robin-ficker/1cdbbf4d-79e6-47cd-a020-ec6ebec31216/ |title=MD. COURT REPRIMANDS ROBIN FICKER |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 19, 1990}}

In 2017 the Maryland Court of Appeals reprimanded Ficker for arriving late to Howard County District Court for a hearing in December 2015. The Court of Appeals order also stated he violated the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct in 2013 by hiring a disbarred lawyer in a non-lawyer capacity without alerting bar counsel.{{Cite news |first=Anamika |last=Roy |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2017/07/07/robin-ficker-reprimand-court-of-appeals/ |title=Court of Appeals chides Robin Ficker – again |newspaper=The Daily Record |date=July 17, 2017}}

In 2022, Ficker was found to have intentionally lied to a judge in 2019 and was disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals.{{cite web |title=Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Robin Keith Annesley Ficker |url=https://mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2022/17a20ag.pdf |access-date=March 3, 2022 |date=March 3, 2022 |website=Maryland Courts |publisher=Circuit Court for Prince George's County}}{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Robin Ficker is Disbarred; Pledges His Gubernatorial Bid Will Continue |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/04/robin-ficker-is-disbarred-pledges-his-gubernatorial-bid-will-continue/ |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 4, 2022}}

Ficker has run for various state and local offices since the 1970s. In 1972, he ran for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in {{ushr|MD|8}}, blanketing Montgomery County with "Our Friend Ficker" campaign signs on utility poles, trees and traffic lights, which resulted in county officials seeking an injunction to stop the placement of these signs on public property.{{cite news |title=County Sues to Halt Posting Of House Candidate's Signs |first=LaBarbara |last=Bowman |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/96385435.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan+6%2C+1972&author=By+LaBarbara+Bowman+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&desc=County+Sues+to+Halt+Posting+Of+House+Candidate%27s+Signs |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 6, 1972 |page=D1 |access-date=March 26, 2012 |id={{ProQuest|148226987}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307085014/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/148226987.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jan%206,%201972&author=By%20LaBarbara%20Bowman%20Washington%20Post%20Staff%20Writer&pub=&edition=&startpage=&desc=County%20Sues%20to%20Halt%20Posting%20Of%20House%20Candidate%27s%20Signs |archive-date=March 7, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Newcomer, Pro Battle to Take on Gude |first=Edward |last=Walsh |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/98235950.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+6%2C+1972&author=By+Edward+Walsh+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post%2C+Times+Herald++%281959-1973%29&edition=&startpage=B1&desc=Newcomer%2C+Pro+Battle+to+Take+on+Gude |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 6, 1972 |access-date=March 26, 2012 |id={{ProQuest|148231157}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310061537/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/148231157.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May%206,%201972&author=By%20Edward%20Walsh%20Washington%20Post%20Staff%20Writer&pub=The%20Washington%20Post,%20Times%20Herald%20%20(1959-1973)&edition=&startpage=B1&desc=Newcomer,%20Pro%20Battle%20to%20Take%20on%20Gude |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Congressional Contest in 8th |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/99593185.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+14%2C+1972&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post%2C+Times+Herald++%281959-1973%29&edition=&startpage=G3&desc=Congressional+Contest+in+8th |date=May 14, 1972 |page=G3 |access-date=March 26, 2012 |newspaper=The Washington Post|id={{ProQuest|148297836}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306211537/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/148297836.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May%2014,%201972&author=&pub=The%20Washington%20Post,%20Times%20Herald%20%20(1959-1973)&edition=&startpage=G3&desc=Congressional%20Contest%20in%208th |archive-date=March 6, 2016}} He lost the Democratic primary to Joseph G. Anastasi.{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Douglas |title=Incumbent Maryland Congressmen Win Primary |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 17, 1972 |page=A12}}{{cite web |title=Our Campaigns – MD District 8 – D Primary Race – May 16, 1972 |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=548222 |website=OurCampaigns.com |access-date=May 15, 2022}}

In 1976, Ficker ran as an independent in Maryland's 8th congressional district. He finished third, with 11.0% of the vote, behind Republican Newton I. Steers Jr., with 46.8% and Democrat Lanny J. Davis with 42.2%.{{Cite report |title=Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |page=19 |location=Washington, D.C. |year=1977 |url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325032509/https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/ |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |url-status=live }}

In 1978, Ficker was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates as a Republican, representing Montgomery County from 1979 to 1983.{{cite news |last1=Feinstein |first1=John |title=Robin Ficker: Attention Getter |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/03/07/robin-ficker-attention-getter/d73bf988-df45-42d3-9d60-4bf4848c64d2/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 7, 1982}} He lost a 1980 primary in the 8th congressional district to former congressman Newton Steers (who had been defeated for re-election in 1978). Ficker lost his bid for re-election to the House of Delegates in 1982.{{cite news |last1=Richburg |first1=Keith B. |title=Ficker Is Defeated But His Amendment On C&P Lives On |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/11/04/ficker-is-defeated-but-his-amendment-on-c38/7212b38a-20af-4e84-9e27-71458061edf2/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 4, 1982}}

In 1984, Ficker secured the Republican nomination in the 6th congressional district. He was defeated in the general election by Democratic incumbent Beverly Byron, 65.1% to 34.9%.{{Cite report |title=Federal Elections 84: Election Results for U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives |publisher=Federal Election Commission |page=62 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=June 1985 |url=https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/election-results-and-voting-information/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513195839/https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/election-results-and-voting-information/ |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |url-status=live }}

He ran for the United States Senate in 2000, claiming to have shaken hands with more than 560,000 people before officially announcing his candidacy.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/11/12/former-montgomery-county-state-delegate-announces-candidacy-for-us-senate-republican-ficker-seeks-seat-held-by-sarbanes/ |title=Former Montgomery County state delegate announces candidacy for U.S. Senate|work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 12, 1999 |access-date=February 11, 2014}} Ficker unsuccessfully ran for Montgomery County Executive in 2006, receiving just under 10% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/2006/electionResults2006General/jurisdictionwidefinal-1.htm|title=GEMS ELECTION RESULTS|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}}

In 2009, Ficker moved from his primary residence in Boyds to his childhood home in Colesville to run for the Montgomery County Council in District 4, where he won a three-way Republican primary with 58% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/SpecialElection2009/Results/jurisdictionwideandabs1andprovandabs2.htm|title=GEMS ELECTION RESULTS|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}} He lost to Democrat Nancy Navarro 61% to 35%.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/SpecialElection2009/General/jurisdictionwideabs1provisonalabs2.htm|title=GEMS ELECTION RESULTS|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}} Moving back to Boyds in 2010, Ficker ran as a Republican for the Montgomery County Council seat in District 2. Ficker lost to State Delegate Craig L. Rice (D-Dist. 15), of Germantown, 59% to 40%.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/2010/resultsgeneral/jurisdiction/jurisdictionwideabsentee2.htm|title=GEMS ELECTION RESULTS|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}}

Ficker was a candidate in the 2012 Republican primary for the newly redrawn 6th congressional district seat held by 10-term incumbent Roscoe Bartlett,{{cite news |title=Ficker seeks GOP nomination for 6th District seat |first=Andrew |last=Schotz |url=http://articles.herald-mail.com/2012-01-02/news/30582804_1_joseph-t-krysztoforski-robin-ficker-gas-tax-hike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017211749/http://articles.herald-mail.com/2012-01-02/news/30582804_1_joseph-t-krysztoforski-robin-ficker-gas-tax-hike |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |newspaper=The Herald-Mail |publisher=Schurz Communications |location=Hagerstown, Maryland |date=January 2, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2012}} finishing fifth in an eight-candidate field.{{cite web|url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2012/results/primary/gen_results_2012_3_00806.html|title=2012 Presidential Primary Election Results: Representative in Congress: Congressional District 6: Republican|website=The State Board of Elections|publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections|date=May 2, 2012}}

Ficker ran unopposed for the 2014 Republican nomination for the District 15 State Senate seat in western Montgomery County.{{cite news|last=Scully|first=Sarah|title=Feldman aims to secure state Senate seat this year|url=http://www.gazette.net/article/20140411/NEWS/140419735&template=gazette|access-date=May 3, 2014|newspaper=The Gazette|date=April 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504055758/http://www.gazette.net/article/20140411/NEWS/140419735%26template%3Dgazette|archive-date=May 4, 2014}} Running with his son Flynn Ficker on a candidate slate for the Maryland Senate and House, the Fickers in May reported visiting 20,000 homes.{{cite news|last=Alexander|first=Kate|title=Fickers form candidate slate in District 15|url=http://www.gazette.net/article/20131018/NEWS/131019212&template=gazette|access-date=May 3, 2014|newspaper=The Gazette|date=October 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504054605/http://www.gazette.net/article/20131018/NEWS/131019212%26template%3Dgazette|archive-date=May 4, 2014}} Ficker lost the District 15 State Senate election to Democrat Brian J. Feldman, who won 60.4% of the vote to Ficker's 39.5%,{{cite web|title=Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator|url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01515.html|website=The State Board of Elections|publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections|date=December 2, 2014}} while his son lost his contest for the House election.{{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=The State Board of Elections|publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections|date=December 2, 2014}}

In 2016, Ficker was again a candidate in a Republican primary, but this time for the 6th congressional district. He finished fourth in an eight-candidate field.{{cite web|title=Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Representative in Congress|url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2016/results/primary/gen_results_2016_3_00806.html|website=The State Board of Elections|publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections|access-date=November 16, 2022|date=May 31, 2016}}{{cite news|title=2016 Maryland Congressional primary election results|url=http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/bookmark-this-2016-maryland-congressional-primary-election-results/39172164|access-date=May 30, 2016|work=wbaltv.com|publisher=WBAL-TV|date=April 27, 2016}}

Ficker won the 2018 Republican nomination for Montgomery County Executive unopposed.{{cite news |last1=Pomeroy |first1=Courtney |title=Democrats Blair and Elrich neck and neck in Montgomery County Executive race |url=http://wjla.com/news/local/democrats-blair-and-elrich-neck-and-neck-in-montgomery-county-executive-race |access-date=July 9, 2018 |work=WJLA-TV |date=June 26, 2018 |quote=The winner will face Robin Ficker, who won the Republican nomination in an uncontested race.}} He was initially turned down for public matching funds. His campaign filed a lawsuit and was later notified it qualified for the public funding shortly after the primary.{{cite magazine |last1=Metcalf |first1=Andrew |title=Ficker Notified That He Qualified for Public Campaign Financing |url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/Ficker-Says-Hes-Been-Notified-He-Qualified-for-Public-Campaign-Financing/ |access-date=July 9, 2018 |magazine=Bethesda Magazine |department=Bethesda Beat |date=July 3, 2018}} Ficker faced Democrat Marc Elrich and Democrat-turned-Independent Nancy Floreen in the general election on November 6, 2018. Ficker finished third with 16.5% of the votes, behind Floreen with 19.2% and the winner, Elrich, with 64.3%.{{cite web |title=Unofficial 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for Montgomery County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_by_county_16-1.html |website=The State Board of Elections |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=November 14, 2018 |language=en |date=November 14, 2018}}

In April 2020, Ficker was present at a rally in Annapolis that protested Governor Larry Hogan's stay-at-home orders.{{cite news |last1=Belt |first1=Deb |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Protesters Circle Downtown Annapolis to Demand State's Reopening |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/04/18/protesters-circle-downtown-annapolis-to-demand-states-reopening/ |access-date=April 19, 2020 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 18, 2020}} He was photographed holding a sign reading "Robin for Governor",{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Photos |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157124940447286&set=ms.c.eJxlkckJwEAMAzsKlm~%3B331ggn4D0HUbIu4KhBp6XFum~_~%3BeAnCSE5RMrYaROnmPRwaqR9JLVE4nqdSXPqkp1xcYadPXJgRRcCwQ7EcWk~%3BcCqE~_DJJccq5q3kvTIiz~%3BIf89kQ1k5VNXclKirfAfRe~_ytB~_pw~-~-.bps.a.10157124939492286&type=3&theater |access-date=April 19, 2020 |work=The Daily Record |date=April 18, 2020 |language=en |via=Facebook}} apparently confirming reports that he planned to run in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election.{{cite news |last1=Prairie |first1=Cynthia |title=State Roundup: Elections board flip-flops and OKs 3 in-person voting centers |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2020/04/14/state-roundup-elections-board-flip-flops-and-oks-3-in-person-voting-centers/ |access-date=April 19, 2020 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=April 14, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=Brian |title=Robin Ficker Running for Governor |url=https://redmaryland.com/2020/04/robin-ficker-running-for-governor/ |website=Red Maryland |access-date=April 19, 2020 |date=April 14, 2020}} In July 2022, he lost the Republican primary, placing third behind Kelly M. Schulz and Dan Cox.{{cite news |title=2022 Maryland primary elections results |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/maryland/2022-primaries/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 20, 2022 |date=July 19, 2022}} Ficker later endorsed Cox in the general election.{{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=July 22, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 22, 2022}}

In March 2023, Ficker declared his candidacy for United States Senate to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Ben Cardin in the 2024 election,{{cite news |title=As Ben Cardin Deliberates, One Republican Wades Into Maryland Senate Race |url=http://www.diamondeyecandidatereport.weebly.com/home/as-ben-cardin-deliberates-one-republican-wades-into-maryland-senate-race |access-date=March 28, 2023 |work=Diamond Eye Candidate Report |date=March 28, 2023 |last=Frisk |first=Garrett}} but in May 2023, Cardin announced that he would not seek reelection in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jeff |title=Maryland U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin says 'I have run my last election,' as candidates line up to seek vacant seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-cardin-2024-20230501-6o4r3dufcjbl3o26iv4ze6drju-story.html |access-date=May 6, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 1, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502111244/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-cardin-2024-20230501-6o4r3dufcjbl3o26iv4ze6drju-story.html |archive-date=May 2, 2023}} Ficker positioned himself as a protest candidate against former Maryland governor Larry Hogan in the Republican primary, aligning himself with former President Donald Trump, but has heavily trailed Hogan in opinion polling.{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=GOP primary feels like a warmup for Hogan ahead of rare consequential general election for Senate |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/05/03/gop-primary-feels-like-a-warmup-for-hogan-ahead-of-rare-consequential-general-election-for-senate/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 3, 2024}} He was defeated by Hogan in the Republican primary election on May 14, 2024,{{cite news |last1=Bidgood |first1=Jess |title=Larry Hogan, Maryland's Former Governor, Wins G.O.P. Senate Primary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/14/us/politics/larry-hogan-wins-maryland-senate-primary.html |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=May 14, 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515004508/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/14/us/politics/larry-hogan-wins-maryland-senate-primary.html |archive-date=May 15, 2024}} garnering almost 30% of the vote.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Since 1974, Ficker has become known for promoting a series of ballot initiatives. The issues range from term limits, curbing tax increases, to limiting budget waste and duplication.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/elections/2004/md/candidates/fickerrobin/ | newspaper=The Washington Post | access-date=May 22, 2010| title=Robin Ficker (R)}} He collected as many as 15,000 signatures for each of 20 initiatives, that together received 2 million votes.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/elections/2006/maryland/candidates/Robin_Ficker.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Robin Ficker (I) | access-date=February 11, 2014}}{{cite news| url=http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/11262008/montnew143758_32484.shtml | work =Montgomery County Gazette | title=It's official: Ficker amendment passes by 5,000 votes | access-date=June 11, 2014}}

A county initiative he proposed for the November 2008 ballot received 194,151 votes, prevailing by 5,060 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/htm/pastelections/2008/presidentialgeneral/jurisdiction/jurisdictionwidepplabs1provabs2.htm|title=GEMS ELECTION RESULTS|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}} The measure requires the nine-member Montgomery County Council to vote unanimously to raise property tax revenue above the local limit.{{cite news| url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/11/ficker_prevails_in_moco_by_abo.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308204517/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2008/11/ficker_prevails_in_moco_by_abo.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 8, 2012 | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Ficker Prevails in MoCo by About 5,000 votes | access-date=May 22, 2010}} The victory earned him the Libertarian Party's Free Market Hero of the week award.{{cite web|url=http://www.lp.org/blogs/andrew-davis/free-market-heroes-vol-1-robin-ficker |title=Free Market Heroes, Vol. 1: Robin Ficker | Libertarian Party |publisher=Lp.org |date=November 16, 2008 |access-date=February 11, 2014}}

In the fall of 2015, Ficker began campaigning for a ballot measure in the 2016 general election to place term limits on the Montgomery County Executive and Montgomery County Council members.{{cite magazine|last1=Kraut|first1=Aaron|title=Activist Again Pushing Ballot Question to Impose Term Limits on County Elected Officials|magazine=Bethesda Magazine|department=Bethesda Beat|date=October 20, 2015|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2015/Activist-Again-Pushing-Ballot-Question-to-Impose-Term-Limits-on-County-Elected-Officials/|access-date=May 30, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Palacios |first1=Nadia |title=Ficker pushes term limits referendum |url=https://mont.thesentinel.com/2016/04/15/ficker-pushes-term-limits-referendum/ |access-date=May 30, 2016 |work=Montgomery County Sentinel |date=April 15, 2016}} In 2016, Ficker's term limit initiative passed with 69% of the vote, limiting County Council members to three consecutive terms in office.{{cite news |last1=Austermuhle |first1=Martin |title=Montgomery County Voters Adopt Term Limits, Promising Big Turnover In 2018 |url=https://wamu.org/story/16/11/09/on_third_try_voters_adopt_term_limits_in_montgomery_county/ |work=WAMU |date=November 9, 2016}}

Ficker is known for his passionate support of the NBA's Washington Wizards. For many years, he heckled the opposing team at the games. Ficker had seats at USAir Arena, located in Landover, Maryland, immediately behind the visiting bench. When the Wizards moved to the new MCI Center in 1997, they took the opportunity to reseat Ficker well away from the opposing team's bench. He gave up his seats in response.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/general/mciarticles/launch/ficker.htm | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=July 23, 1998 | access-date=May 22, 2010 | title= Ficker Won't Be the Mouth That Roars at MCI}} Not having been to a Wizards' game since in April 1998,{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/22/opinion/22ficker.html | work=The New York Times | title=The Heckler's Code | first=Robin | last=Ficker | date=November 22, 2004}} Ficker attended Game 4 of the Wizards-Pacers Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 11, 2014.{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=May 12, 2014 |title=Robin Ficker heckles Roy Hibbert into a big game against the Wizards |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/05/12/robin-ficker-heckles-roy-hibbert-into-a-big-game-against-the-wizards/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2014}}

Though many players from opposing teams were not fans of Ficker,{{Cite news|title=Heckling is an art, and this guy rules|first=Ailene|last=Voisin|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|date=December 10, 2004|page=C1}} Phoenix Suns star Charles Barkley in particular thought so much of him and his ability to get under players' skin that he flew him out to Phoenix during the 1993 NBA Finals. Barkley bought Ficker a ticket directly behind the bench of the visiting Chicago Bulls, hoping that Ficker's taunts would distract the Bulls players. America West Arena security removed Ficker before the end of the first quarter.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/hruby/031119.html |title=ESPN.com – Page2 – Taunting dos and don'ts |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=November 21, 2003 |access-date=February 11, 2014}}

In 2012, Ficker appeared on The Jeff Probst Show, and was playfully surprised by special guest Isiah Thomas, former professional basketball player and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Probst shared that Thomas, in agreeing to appear on the show, said "Ficker was one of the greats"."Would You Say That To My Face?" The Jeff Probst Show. Season 1. Episode 59. November 30, 2012. In 2013, Ficker was featured on ESPN's Olbermann, in which his heckling was discussed along with the often acrimonious resulting fan vs. player interactions.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=15&v=yLcKUiDjfBo|title=The NBA Is Giving Red Cards To Fans?!?|via=YouTube}}

The University of Maryland wrestling team won Ficker's support in 2010{{cite news| url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/robin_ficker_resurfaces_at_mar.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928232600/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/02/robin_ficker_resurfaces_at_mar.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 28, 2012 | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Robin Ficker resurfaces at Maryland wrestling | access-date=February 11, 2014}} after he wrote a letter to The Washington Post criticizing the team's lack of coverage{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012903967.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Coverage faulted in bowling, women's basketball and wrestling | date=January 30, 2010}} and attended the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in Omaha, Nebraska.{{cite web|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20100319/SPORTS/703199744 |title=Wrestling: Q&A with Robin Ficker |publisher=Omaha.com |access-date=February 11, 2014}} His vocal{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZihwZV0bsHM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ZihwZV0bsHM |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Robin Ficker : The Maryland Superfan|last=thisnameisforaprojec|date=December 29, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and visible support remains ongoing as of 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGO4OFFMGSE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/EGO4OFFMGSE |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live |title=Super fan Robin Ficker @ University of Maryland vs. UNC wrestling |first=Mark |last=Nakasone |date=January 27, 2013 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Ficker has a daughter and two sons. His daughter, Desiree Ficker, is a top female professional triathlete, finishing second at the 2006 Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.{{cite web |url=http://www.desireeficker.com/ |title=Desirée Ficker |date=January 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928205102/http://www.desireeficker.com/ |archive-date=September 28, 2007}} Ficker's 20-year marriage to the Frances Annette Ficker ended in divorce.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/10/AR2009081002980.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Obituaries | date=August 11, 2009 | access-date=May 22, 2010}}

In 1996, Ficker was acquitted of destruction of property in a 1995 traffic incident and saw battery charges dropped by the State's Attorney after a jury deadlocked 10–2 in favor of acquittal. He had been convicted in a non-jury district court trial but appealed for a circuit court jury trial.{{cite news |title=Battery charge against tax activist to be dropped |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1996/07/16/battery-charge-against-tax-activist-to-be-dropped/3d1bc370-1fb4-4d65-b31f-46d24dbf9df5/ |access-date=July 4, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 16, 1996 |first=Brian |last=Mooar}}{{cite news|title=Altercation puts driver in hospital|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2001/jun/5/20010605-023605-6450r/|access-date=June 14, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=June 5, 2001}} In the traffic incident the pregnant driver of the car Ficker allegedly hit reported that he struck her in the face, breaking her glasses.{{cite web|title=Beware of Violent Aggressive Drivers!|url=http://blog.ctnews.com/crimewatch/2011/10/25/beware-of-violent-aggressive-drivers-2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811032400/http://blog.ctnews.com/crimewatch/2011/10/25/beware-of-violent-aggressive-drivers-2/|archive-date=August 11, 2016|work=Crime Watch (blog)|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|access-date=June 11, 2013|author=Lt. James Perez|location=Fairfield, Connecticut|date=October 25, 2011}}

• Maryland County Executive Election, 2006 (Montgomery County)
• Maryland County Executive Election, 2018 (Montgomery County)

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://ballotpedia.org/Robin_Ficker Robin Ficker at Ballotpedia]
• [https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/36488/robin-ficker Project Vote Smart – Delegate Robin Ficker (MD)] profile
• [https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=7916 Our Campaigns – Delegate Robin Ficker (MD)] profile

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-md-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Jay S. Bernstein}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 15B district|years=1979–1983|alongside=Judith C. Toth}}

{{s-aft|after=District abolished}}

{{s-end}}

{{Washington Wizards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ficker, Robin}}

Category:1943 births

Category:American University alumni

Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Disbarred Maryland lawyers

Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:People from Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:People from Colesville, Maryland

Category:Sports spectators

Category:University of Baltimore School of Law alumni

Category:University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni

Category:United States Military Academy alumni

Category:Washington Wizards

Category:People from Takoma Park, Maryland

Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections

Category:20th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly

Category:Candidates in the 2016 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States Senate elections

Category:21st-century Maryland politicians