Career Timeline of Jamie Raskin: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jamie Raskin built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jamie Raskin is an American attorney, law professor, and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district since 2017. As a progressive Democrat, Raskin previously served in the Maryland State Senate from 2007 to 2016. His district, which includes portions of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, is located near Washington, D.C.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: General Counsel for Jesse Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition

From 1989 to 1990, Jamie Raskin served as general counsel for Jesse Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition.

1996: Represented Ross Perot

In 1996, Jamie Raskin represented Ross Perot regarding Perot's exclusion from the 1996 United States presidential debates. Raskin also wrote a Washington Post op-ed condemning the Federal Election Commission.

1999: Chairman of the Maryland State Higher Education Labor Relations Board

In 1999, Maryland Governor Parris Glendening appointed Jamie Raskin as the first chairman of the Maryland State Higher Education Labor Relations Board.

March 1, 2006: Response on Same-Sex Marriage

On March 1, 2006, during a Maryland State Senate hearing on same-sex marriage, Jamie Raskin responded to an opposing lawmaker with a notable statement about the Constitution and the Bible.

2006: Doug Gansler's campaign manager

In 2006, Jamie Raskin served as Doug Gansler's campaign manager in the Maryland Attorney General election.

2006: Elected to the Maryland State Senate

In 2006, Jamie Raskin was elected to the Maryland State Senate after defeating incumbent state senator Ida G. Ruben in the Democratic primary election and ran unopposed in the general election. He represented District 20, which included parts of Silver Spring and Takoma Park in Montgomery County.

2012: Named Senate Majority Whip

In 2012, Jamie Raskin was named Senate majority whip and chaired the Montgomery County Senate Delegation and the Select Committee on Ethics Reform, and was a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.

2014: Introduced Medical Marijuana Bill

In 2014, Jamie Raskin introduced a medical marijuana bill in Maryland that was signed by Governor Martin O'Malley.

January 2015: Medical Marijuana Bill goes into effect

In January 2015, the medical marijuana bill introduced by Jamie Raskin in 2014 went into effect in Maryland.

April 19, 2015: Announced campaign for Congress

On April 19, 2015, Jamie Raskin announced his campaign for Congress.

2016: Most expensive House race

In 2016, Jamie Raskin won the seven-way Democratic primary with 33% of the vote in the most expensive House race, despite being heavily outspent.

2016: Objected to certification of 2016 presidential election

In 2016, as one of his first actions in Congress, Jamie Raskin and several other members of the House objected to the certification of the 2016 presidential election in favor of Donald Trump due to alleged ties with Russia.

June 2017: Sponsored legislation for a congressional oversight commission

In June 2017, Jamie Raskin was the chief sponsor of legislation to establish a congressional "oversight" commission which would be tasked with determining whether the president was unfit, physically or mentally, to perform his duties.

April 2018: Launched Congressional Freethought Caucus

In April 2018, Jamie Raskin, along with Jared Huffman, Jerry McNerney, and Dan Kildee, launched the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

2019: Voted in favor of the Equality Act

In 2019, Jamie Raskin voted in favor of the Equality Act and urged Congress members to do the same, supporting the banning of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Endorsement by the Congressional Progressive Caucus

In 2020, Jamie Raskin was endorsed in the primary by the Progressive Action PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which grew from 72 members at the time of the endorsement to 92 members.

January 12, 2021: Named lead impeachment manager for Trump's second impeachment

On January 12, 2021, Jamie Raskin was named the lead impeachment manager for the Senate impeachment trial held after Trump's second impeachment. He was the primary author of the impeachment article.

July 1, 2021: Appointed to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack

On July 1, 2021, Jamie Raskin was one of seven Democrats appointed to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.

July 12, 2022: Co-led the Select Committee's seventh public hearing

On July 12, 2022, Jamie Raskin co-led the Select Committee's seventh public hearing with Representative Stephanie Murphy, which focused on the role of extremist groups and Trump's December 19 tweet in the January 6 Capitol attack.

July 2022: Led letter to White House Conference on Hunger

In July 2022, Jamie Raskin led a letter by 32 members of Congress to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, requesting that all federal facilities offer a daily vegetarian entrée option.

September 2022: Inclusion in the White House National Strategy on Hunger

In September 2022, the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health included a nonbinding pledge to increase plant-based offerings across federal facilities.

2022: Publication of "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy"

In 2022, Jamie Raskin's book "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy" was published. The book focuses on his son's life and Raskin's preparation for the impeachment trial.

Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy

Check it on Amazon

March 2023: Voted against H.Con.Res. 21

In March 2023, Jamie Raskin voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

November 17, 2023: Called for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza war

On November 17, 2023, Jamie Raskin called for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza war or a "mutually agreed-upon cease-fire" that would "provide for a ‘global humanitarian surge’ of aid to hundreds of thousands of displaced and suffering innocent civilians throughout Gaza."

March 2024: Led letter to urging increased plant-based offerings

In March 2024, Jamie Raskin led a letter by 55 members of Congress urging the administration to follow through with the proposal and increase plant-based offerings in federal facilities.