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. He has served as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district since 2017. A progressive Democrat, Raskin previously served in the Maryland State Senate from 2007 to 2016. His district, primarily in Montgomery County, Maryland, was slightly modified in 2022 to also include a portion of Prince George's County.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: General Counsel for National Rainbow Coalition

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

1990: End of service as General Counsel for National Rainbow Coalition

In 1990, Jamie Raskin ended his service 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 condemned the Federal Election Commission and the Commission on Presidential Debates.

1999: Chairman of 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: Remarks 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 statement about upholding the Constitution rather than the Bible.

2006: Campaign Manager for Doug Gansler

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

2006: Elected to Maryland Senate

In 2006, Jamie Raskin was elected to the Maryland Senate after defeating incumbent state senator Ida G. Ruben in the Democratic primary election. He represented District 20.

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: Sponsored Medical Marijuana Bill

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

January 2015: Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Into Effect

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

April 19, 2015: Announced Campaign for Congress

On April 19, 2015, Jamie Raskin announced his campaign for Congress, stating his ambition was to be in the "moral center."

2016: Won Democratic Primary

In 2016, Jamie Raskin won the seven-way Democratic primary with 33% of the vote and was viewed as the most liberal candidate in the race.

2016: Objection to 2016 Presidential Election Certification

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

June 2017: Sponsored Oversight Commission Legislation

In June 2017, Jamie Raskin was the chief sponsor of legislation to establish a congressional "oversight" commission to determine presidential fitness under the Twenty-fifth Amendment.

April 2018: Launched Congressional Freethought Caucus

In April 2018, Jamie Raskin, along with others, launched the Congressional Freethought Caucus to promote reason, science, moral values, and the separation of church and state.

2019: Cosponsored Farm System Reform Act

In 2019, Jamie Raskin cosponsored Senator Cory Booker's Farm System Reform Act, which would have imposed a moratorium on new concentrated animal feeding operations.

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, in support of banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Twitter Employee on Content Moderation Team

In 2020, An anonymous Twitter employee joined the content moderation team. In July 12, 2022, the committee played recordings of its interview with this Twitter employee, who said that Trump's tweet served as a call to action and arms.

2020: Progressive Action PAC Endorsement

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

January 12, 2021: Named Lead Impeachment Manager

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

July 1, 2021: Appointed to House Select Committee

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

2021: Twitter Employee on Content Moderation Team

In 2021, An anonymous Twitter employee worked on the content moderation team. In July 12, 2022, the committee played recordings of its interview with this Twitter employee, who said that Trump's tweet served as a call to action and arms.

July 12, 2022: Co-led Select Committee Hearing

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

July 2022: Letter to White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

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

September 2022: White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

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, focusing 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 Humanitarian Pause

On November 17, 2023, Jamie Raskin called for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza war or a mutually agreed-upon cease-fire.

March 2024: Letter to Biden Administration

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.