History of Jamie Raskin in Timeline

Jamie Raskin is a U.S. Representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district, serving since 2017. A Democrat, he previously served in the Maryland State Senate from 2007 to 2016. His district, now primarily encompassing Montgomery County after 2022 redistricting, was previously more expansive. Raskin is also an attorney and law professor.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 13, 1962: Jamie Raskin's Birth

On December 13, 1962, Jamin Ben Raskin was born. He is an American attorney, law professor, and politician.

1989: General Counsel for National Rainbow Coalition

In 1989, Jamie Raskin began his role as the general counsel for Jesse Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition.

1990: End of role as General Counsel

In 1990, Jamie Raskin ended his role as the 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.

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: Response to opposing lawmaker on same-sex marriage

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

2006: Doug Gansler's campaign manager

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, representing District 20.

2007: Sarah Bloom Raskin as Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation

From 2007 to 2010, Sarah Bloom Raskin, Jamie Raskin's wife, served as the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

2009: Became vegetarian

In 2009, Jamie Raskin became vegetarian.

April 28, 2010: Nominated to Federal Reserve Board

On April 28, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Sarah Bloom Raskin to the Federal Reserve Board.

May 2010: Diagnosed with Colon Cancer

In May 2010, Jamie Raskin was diagnosed with colon cancer.

October 4, 2010: Sworn in as governor of the Federal Reserve Board

On October 4, 2010, Sarah Bloom Raskin was sworn in as a governor of the Federal Reserve Board.

2011: Completed Chemotherapy

In early 2011, Jamie Raskin completed chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer.

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.

March 19, 2014: Appointed as United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

On March 19, 2014, Sarah Bloom Raskin began serving as the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

2014: Introduced 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 Effective

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

April 19, 2015: Announcement of Campaign for Congress

On April 19, 2015, Jamie Raskin announced his campaign for Congress and stated his ambition to be in the moral center, not the political center.

2016: Won Democratic Primary

In 2016, Jamie Raskin won the seven-way Democratic primary for the House, 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.

January 20, 2017: End of term as United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

On January 20, 2017, Sarah Bloom Raskin's term as the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury ended.

June 2017: Sponsored Legislation to Establish Oversight Commission

In late June 2017, Jamie Raskin sponsored legislation to establish a congressional "oversight" commission to determine if the president was unfit to perform his duties, potentially leading to removal under the Twenty-fifth Amendment.

April 2018: Launched Congressional Freethought Caucus

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

2019: Voted in Favor of Equality Act

In 2019, Jamie Raskin voted in favor of the Equality Act, advocating for banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Twitter employee on content moderation team

From 2020 to 2021, an anonymous Twitter employee was on the content moderation team.

2020: Progressive Action PAC endorsement

In 2020, Jamie Raskin had been endorsed by the Progressive Action PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which had grown to 92 members.

December 31, 2020: Death of Tommy Raskin

On December 31, 2020, Jamie Raskin's office announced that his son Tommy had died at the age of 25 after a battle with depression.

January 4, 2021: Tribute to Tommy Raskin

On January 4, 2021, Jamie Raskin and his wife posted a tribute to their son Tommy, revealing he had died by suicide.

January 5, 2021: Tommy Raskin's burial

Tommy Raskin was buried on January 5, 2021.

January 12, 2021: Named Lead Impeachment Manager

On January 12, 2021, Jamie Raskin was named the lead impeachment manager for the Senate impeachment trial after Trump's second impeachment.

July 1, 2021: Appointed to House Select Committee Investigating January 6 Capitol Attack

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

2021: Twitter employee on content moderation team

From 2020 to 2021, an anonymous Twitter employee was on the content moderation team.

February 2022: Reported STOCK Act Violation

In February 2022, it was reported that Jamie Raskin potentially violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act due to disclosure issues related to his wife's stock dealings.

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

On July 12, 2022, Jamie Raskin co-led the Select Committee's seventh public hearing, focusing on the role of extremist groups in the January 6th attack and the impact of Trump's December 19 tweet.

December 2022: Diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

In December 2022, Jamie Raskin announced that he had been diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

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

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

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

Check it on Amazon

April 2023: Cancer in remission

In April 2023, Jamie Raskin announced that his cancer was in remission.

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

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

2023: Voted against removing US troops from Syria

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

2025: Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

In 2025, Jamie Raskin was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his defense of freedom and democracy, along with other members of the January 6th Committee.