Aruna Miller

Aruna Miller

Democratic Party

Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

1

Predecessor

Boyd Rutherford

Prior offices

Maryland House of Delegates District 15

Successor: Lily Qi

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Compensation

Base salary

$149,500

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Missouri University of Science and Technology, 1989

Personal

Profession

Manager

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Instagram

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

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Aruna Miller (Democratic Party) is the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. She assumed office on January 18, 2023. Her current term ends on January 20, 2027.

Miller (Democratic Party) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Miller was a Democratic candidate for Maryland's 6th congressional district in the 2018 election. She was defeated by David Trone (D) in the Democratic primary.

Biography

Aruna Miller earned a B.S. in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 1989. Miller's career experience includes working as the manager of transportation facility planning with Montgomery County, Maryland.

Committee assignments

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Miller served on the following committees:

Maryland committee assignments, 2015
• Appropriations
• Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology
• Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Miller served on these committees:

Maryland committee assignments, 2011
• Ways & Means

Note: Miller also served on the Subcommittee on Revenues and the Subcommittee on Transportation.

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Maryland gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

The following candidates ran in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aruna Miller (D)	64.5	1,293,944
		Gordana Schifanelli (R)	32.1	644,000
		Christiana Logansmith (L)	1.5	30,101
		Cathy White (Working Class Party)	0.9	17,154
		Patrick Elder (G)	0.7	14,580
		Katie Lee (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	596
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	4,848

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,005,223
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland on July 19, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aruna Miller	32.4	217,524
		Shannon Sneed	30.1	202,175
		Monique Anderson-Walker	21.1	141,586
		Nancy Navarro (Unofficially withdrew)	4.0	26,594
		Candace Hollingsworth	3.8	25,481
		Michelle Siri	3.7	24,882
		LaTrece Hawkins Lytes	2.1	13,784
		Natalie Williams	1.8	11,880
		Justin Dispenza	0.6	4,276
		Mark Greben	0.4	2,978

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 671,160
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

Gordana Schifanelli defeated Jeff Woolford, LeRoy Yegge Jr., and Minh Thanh Luong in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland on July 19, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gordana Schifanelli	52.0	153,423
		Jeff Woolford	43.5	128,302
		LeRoy Yegge Jr.	2.8	8,268
		Minh Thanh Luong	1.7	5,075

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,068
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Maryland's 6th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Maryland District 6

David Trone defeated Amie Hoeber, Kevin Caldwell, and George Gluck in the general election for U.S. House Maryland District 6 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Trone (D)	59.0	163,346
		Amie Hoeber (R)	38.0	105,209
		Kevin Caldwell (L)	1.8	4,972
		George Gluck (G)	1.2	3,275
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	282

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 277,084 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ted Athey (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Maryland District 6

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Maryland District 6 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Trone	40.0	24,103
		Aruna Miller	30.7	18,524
		Nadia Hashimi	10.5	6,304
		Roger Manno	10.4	6,257
		Andrew Duck	4.9	2,949
		Chris Graves	1.6	982
		George English	1.1	650
		Christopher Hearsey	0.9	531

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 60,300
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Maryland District 6

Amie Hoeber defeated Lisa Lloyd, Kurt Elsasser, and Brad Rohrs in the Republican primary for U.S. House Maryland District 6 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Amie Hoeber	67.8	19,571
		Lisa Lloyd	17.8	5,144
		Kurt Elsasser	8.7	2,526
		Brad Rohrs	5.7	1,641

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 28,882
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Click [show] to view endorsements issued in this election.

Democratic candidate endorsements Endorsement Date Duck Hashimi Manno Miller Trone Federal officials Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) March 28, 2018 ✔ Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) March 6, 2018 ✔ Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) November 20, 2017 ✔ Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) November 20, 2017 ✔ Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) November 20, 2017 ✔ Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) November 20, 2017 ✔ State figures State Del. Maggie McIntosh (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Kathleen Dumais (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Adrienne Jones (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Sheila Hixson (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Kumar Barve (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Anne Kaiser (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Shane Pendergrass (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Tawanna Gaines (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ State Del. Ariana Kelly (D) February 14, 2018 ✔ Former state Del. Casper Taylor (D) January 31, 2018 ✔ Former Sen. Joseph Tydings (D) January 4, 2018 ✔ State Del. Michael Busch (D) October 4, 2017 ✔ Local figures Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (D) February 19, 2018 ✔ Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker (D) February 12, 2018 ✔ Organizations End Citizens United April 24, 2018 ✔ Sierra Club of Maryland April 17, 2018 ✔ Maryland Working Families Party March 1, 2018 ✔ United Auto Workers February 15, 2018 ✔ Progressive Maryland February 7, 2018 ✔ National Nurses United January 14, 2018 ✔ International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers January 11, 2018 ✔ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 307 January 9, 2018 ✔ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 24 January 9, 2018 ✔ Food & Water Action Fund December 19, 2017 ✔ Service Employees International Union Local 500 December 14, 2017 ✔ 32BJ Service Employees International Union December 14, 2017 ✔ Laborers International Union of North America December 12, 2017 ✔ International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees November 22, 2017 ✔ 314 Action November 20, 2017 ✔ Teamsters Joint Council No. 62 November 2, 2017 ✔ Teamsters Joint Council No. 55 November 2, 2017 ✔ United Food and Commercial Workers October 17, 2017 ✔ Communications Workers of America October 3, 2017 ✔ International Union of Elevator Constructors September 19, 2017 ✔ International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 September 15, 2017 ✔ Community Hub for Opportunities in Construction Employment September 5, 2017 ✔ EMILY's List August 31, 2017 ✔ Feminist Majority Unknown ✔

Campaign finance

The table below contains data from FEC Quarterly October 2017 reports. It includes only candidates who reported at least $10,000 in campaign contributions as of September 30, 2017.

Democrats

Major contributions

David Trone

On June 15, 2018, David Trone (D) contributed $5 million to his own campaign ahead of the June 26 primary. The contribution brought Trone's total contributions to his own campaign to $10.2 million.

Campaign advertisements

Ballotpedia did not find any ads that Miller published in this race. If you are aware of one we missed, please let us know.

2014

See also: Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2014

Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014. Incumbents Kathleen Dumais, David Fraser-Hidalgo and Aruna Miller defeated Bennett Rushkoff in the Democratic primary, while Ed Edmundson, Flynn Ficker and Christine Thron were unopposed in the Republican primary. Dumais, Fraser-Hidalgo and Miller defeated Edmundson, Ficker and Thron in the general election.

Maryland House of Delegates District 15, General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kathleen Dumais Incumbent	20.6%	19,083
	Democratic	Aruna Miller Incumbent	19.5%	18,071
	Democratic	David Fraser-Hidalgo Incumbent	18.7%	17,324
	Republican	Ed Edmundson	13.9%	12,913
	Republican	Christine Thron	13.9%	12,825
	Republican	Flynn Ficker	13.3%	12,355
Total Votes				92,571

Maryland House of Delegates, District 15 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Kathleen Dumais Incumbent	30.6%	6,156
Aruna Miller Incumbent	28.6%	5,748
David Fraser-Hidalgo Incumbent	22.1%	4,447
Bennett Rushkoff	18.7%	3,754
Total Votes		20,105

2010

See also: Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2010

Miller ran against Kathleen Dumais (incumbent), Brian Feldman (incumbent), David Fraser-Hidalgo and Lara Wibeto in the September 14 primary. In the general election, the winners faced Republicans Sylvia Darrow and Matthew Mockerman. Arvin Vohra is running as a Libertarian.

Miller successfully won election, coming in third in the general election on November 2, 2010.

Maryland House of Delegates, District 15 General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Kathleen Dumais (D)		23,476
Brian Feldman (D)		23,120
Aruna Miller (D)		21,353
Scott Graham (R)		15,298
Sylvia Darrow (R)		14,490
Matthew Mockerman (R)		13,477
Arvin Vohra (L)		1,910

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Aruna Miller campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Lieutenant Governor of Maryland	Won general	$2,332,956	$2,179,641
2018	U.S. House Maryland District 6	Lost primary	$1,280,748	N/A**
2014	Maryland House of Delegates, District 15	Won	$169,875	N/A**
2010	Maryland House of Delegates, District 15	Won	$44,552	N/A**
Grand total			$3,828,131	$2,179,641
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Aruna Miller did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Moore's campaign website stated the following:

“	ISSUES Economy: Work, Wages, And Wealth Building a Growing and Thriving Economy that Lifts up Every Maryland Family Wes believes that no matter where you start in life, you deserve an equal opportunity to succeed – a job you can raise a family on, wages that reflect the dignity of work, and the chance to create wealth for you and your family. Right now in Maryland, as we continue to grapple with the COVID crisis, that’s simply not the case. Economic opportunity is readily available to some and dangerously absent to others. No one knows this better than Wes, who understands firsthand the struggles many Maryland families face and has made creating economic opportunity the central mission driving his candidacy for Governor. Wes has led in sectors across the economy – in the private sector in the financial industry and as a small business owner, in the nonprofit industry as CEO of one of the largest nonprofits in the U.S., and in the public sector as an Army combat veteran and White House Fellow. Wes understands how the economy works and knows how to increase economic opportunities through creating economic growth. Wes’ drive to create inclusive economic growth is both personal and professional. He grew up in communities that were chronically neglected and watched his single mother struggle to pay the family’s bills each month. And as the CEO of one of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations exclusively focused on ending poverty and creating economic advancement, Wes spearheaded the creation of Mobility LABs, a $25 million initiative driving economic mobility in urban, rural, and suburban parts of the country, including millions of dollars here in Maryland. Additionally, he fought for the expansion of the Child Tax Credit by the Biden Administration. Based on his own family’s story, Wes knows there’s no single switch to simply create economic opportunity – it takes leading a focused effort that uses every economic lever in our state, and his vast leadership experience positions him to take Maryland to the next level. ISSUES Transportation Maryland has a rich history as a transportation innovator. We were home to America’s first railroad, its first national highway, and even its first air flight when 13-year-old Edward Warren ascended in a balloon over Baltimore in 1784. Maryland has historically recognized the value of transportation, not only as a means of mobility, but as an economic engine and as a vehicle for helping people lift themselves from poverty. There is an important link between transportation and economic mobility, and as billions of federal dollars are allocated to improve Maryland’s infrastructure, we must ensure that the economic opportunities that come with this investment are available to everyone. There is no team better equipped to take on this challenge than Wes Moore and Aruna Miller. Aruna Miller spent 25 years working at the local Department of Transportation in Montgomery County to improve the safety of the public, alleviate traffic, and create equitable transportation access to connect people to opportunities. As a Delegate in Annapolis, she was a respected voice and leader on Transportation issues. Her deep understanding of these issues makes her the perfect complement to Wes. As a former U.S. Army captain, small business owner, and CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty nonprofits, Wes brings the leadership and unique perspective we need to address these challenges. Maryland has amazing economic, educational, natural, and cultural assets, but our transportation system needs to better connect our citizens to jobs, schools, parks, and other amenities in their communities. As a result, we have not lived up to our economic potential, and we continue to lag in implementing sound policies to protect our environment and enhance our communities. The Moore-Miller administration will build an efficient and equitable transportation system that unharnesses economic growth in our region, drives billions in new investment, protects our environment and our neighbors, and connects people with employers by: Providing equity and opportunity in transportation planning by ensuring that our efforts to improve mass transit focus on the people who rely on it the most, addressing the connection between transportation and public health, removing politics from transportation planning and investment to ensure merit-based project funding, and implementing procurement reform. Driving the economy through leveraging a regional approach that expands transit-oriented development, connects workers with jobs, and drives growth at BWI Marshall Airport and the Port of Baltimore. Protecting the environment by converting the state’s fleet to EV technology by 2030, improving our EV charging station infrastructure and policies to get more private EVs on the roads, and fighting sprawl. Better managing congested corridors by using the influx of federal infrastructure funding to build generational infrastructure improvements like establishing usable mass transit and bus lanes, expanding and improving commuter rail around the state, and developing true high-speed rail capacity on the Northeast Corridor. ISSUES A Bold Plan To Unlock Economic Opportunity For Maryland’s Black Families In this moment, Maryland has a unique opportunity to be bold about the systemic and generational challenges that have held families back for decades. This is a core part of why Wes Moore is running for Governor. From leading soldiers in combat in Afghanistan, to working in the financial sector, to building and running a small business in Baltimore that helped first-generation students succeed in college, to serving as Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest anti-poverty nonprofits in the United States – Wes has demonstrated a core understanding of the economic barriers facing Black families in Maryland and the tools needed to address them. In Maryland, the average White family has eight times the wealth of the average Black family. The average Black worker makes 71 cents to the White worker’s dollar. This bold action plan to unlock economic opportunity for Black families in Maryland seeks to both meet the urgent needs that families across the state are facing, and move Maryland toward the kind of generational change that addresses the generational challenges that got us to a state of fragility and disparity. Through this plan, we sought to build on the critical work that Speaker Adrienne Jones detailed in her Racial & Economic Justice Agenda, which Wes worked closely to help develop. We also leveraged the frameworks and policy agendas of bedrock organizations like the Maryland state conference of the NAACP, The President’s Roundtable, and the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus. Wes believes strongly that effective leadership involves listening and good governance involves uplifting voices closest to the problem as we work toward solutions. To that end, this plan will evolve and update based on additional learnings gained on the road to Annapolis. Wes knows deeply that increasing opportunity across Maryland is not merely an exercise in economic policy. Increased opportunity will depend on our ability to confront existential threats like climate change, which disproportionately affects Black and Brown families in Maryland. It is reflected and laid bare by how the COVID-19 pandemic affected communities that were struggling before COVID. It is deeply tied to our transportation policies, and how we approach moving people from where they live to where they work. It is rooted in our ability to provide people with the basic right to quality healthcare, amid a reality where getting sick is the number one cause of bankruptcy in Maryland. It is seen in the damaging impacts of historic crime policies and the need to continue to holistically reimagine prison and criminal justice policies. It is driven by our commitment to transform Maryland’s Pre-K to 12 educational system and ensure every child has access to a quality education regardless of zip code. We know that issues affecting Black families are issues of childcare, Pre-K, healthcare, education, workforce development, college and career prep, public safety, transportation, climate, social justice, nutrition, and more. And we cannot unlock economic opportunities for Black families unless we address the systemic barriers that have locked so many out for so long. This bold plan focuses on tools to give Black families in Maryland increased access to work that imparts dignity and career options, wages that you can raise a family on, and wealth that imparts stability for families and allows people to pass on something other than debt to their children. Increasing access to work, wages, and wealth are north stars for Wes Moore’s campaign for Maryland Governor, and they guide this bold agenda for increased economic opportunity for Black families in Maryland. ISSUES Building A More Equitable Future Where Every Marylander Can Thrive In Maryland and across the nation, women face inequities in health, caregiving responsibilities, economic opportunity, safety and more. Overall, women earn 84 cents to every dollar men make, while Black and Latina women make 68 and 46 cents to every dollar that a man makes respectively. Additionally, reproductive rights and a woman’s right to make decisions about her body are under attack now more than ever before, and child care and paid leave policies too often force women to choose between nurturing their career and nurturing their families. When it comes to public safety, women are also more likely to be victims of sex crimes and human trafficking. It is essential that Maryland continue to advance solutions to expand economic opportunities, reproductive rights, and enhance families’ economic and personal security. Wes Moore and Aruna Miller are ready to address these challenges head-on because our state and economy work better when everyone has equitable access to opportunity. Former Delegate Aruna Miller has spent her career fighting the status quo; from being an immigrant who came to the United States as a little girl, graduating as a Civil Engineer in a male-dominated field, and to being elected as the first Indian American woman to the Maryland General Assembly. In these roles, and in raising three daughters and being a caretaker for her mother, Aruna understands firsthand the challenges women face. Wes credits his mother’s support as the most important factor in his success. After Wes’ father died, he watched his mom work three jobs just to support their family. He knows the challenges a single mom faces raising a family. With this shared determination to implement equitable policies, the Moore-Miller administration will: Advance reproductive rights by enshrining the protections of Roe v. Wade into our constitution, expanding access to abortion training for health care providers and ensuring that every Maryland can afford and access reproductive care. Repeal the Maryland law allowing spouses who engage in sexual abuse against their partner to use their marriage as a legal defense; and pass legislation to ensure that women, particularly minors, aren’t charged as criminals when they are forced into prostitution by human traffickers. Ensure equal pay for women by exploring policies requiring companies to disclose demographics on gender, race and salary bands; and removing salary history from the interview process. Establish a Women in STEM focus across all levels of education and invest in job training and credentialing programs to drive women into high-demand, high-paying STEM jobs. Get women back to work by ensuring every family has access to quality, affordable child care by broadening the expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, developing a system to cap out-of-pocket expenses for families in need and more. Secure paid sick, family, and medical leave for every Marylander so that no family has to choose between caring for a new child or loved one or their paycheck. Allow small, woman-owned businesses to compete by modernizing Maryland’s procurement process, requiring small business set-asides, and making it easier for local governments to piggyback on state contracts with small and woman-owned businesses. ISSUES LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Maryland and across the nation, LGBTQ+ individuals face adversity at higher levels than many other communities. This adversity is felt in all intersections of life including education, health care, housing, and criminal justice to name a few. To provide a brief snapshot, more than half of LGBTQ+ youth in Maryland report they have been harassed or assaulted in schools. Further, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience depression and to attempt suicide. Members of this community are also more likely to experience housing instability, food insecurity, and are more likely to be represented in the foster care system. Maryland’s LGBTQ+ seniors also face housing discrimination, harassment, and victimization at higher levels. LGBTQ+ Marylanders deserve a governor who will fight for their rights and create a state where every person can thrive. With the commitment to better the wellbeing of Maryland’s LGBTQ+ population, the Moore-Miller administration will: Support students who identify as LGBTQ+ by fully implementing the newly passed Inclusive Schools Act, ensuring Maryland schools adopt LGBTQ+ affirming policies, create partnerships with organizations working with LGBTQ+ youth to provide additional resources needed to support our students, and broaden access to trauma-informed mental health care in schools. Support the passage of the Trans Health Equity Act to ensure transgender Marylanders can receive the gender-affirming health care they need. Abolish Maryland’s outdated laws that criminalize HIV, which disproportionately affect and stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community. Work with the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and community to build and publish a list of LGBTQ+ businesses so state agencies can more easily identify and contract with them. Ensure the LGBTQ+ community has a seat at the table and voice in the discussion, and work to implement the recommendations of Maryland’s newly created LGBTQ+ Commission. Stand as a brick wall against any anti-LGBTQ+ legislation or policies and welcome families and businesses from states enacting homophobic and transphobic social agendas, demonstrating that Maryland remains open and inclusive for all. ISSUES Education Maryland is fortunate to have strong schools, educators, stakeholders, and parents dedicated to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are also fortunate for the tremendous work of the Kirwan Commission and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which Wes advocated for and testified in support of. This historic legislation has already set Maryland on a path to future success and will enable us to break down long-standing inequities. Now is the time to continue the progress we have made to fully fund and implement the Blueprint because from cradle to career, education is one of the key pillars for Marylanders to access jobs, higher wages, and the opportunity to build wealth that can be passed on to their children. Wes will always make education a top priority. He will work closely with local leaders, educators, parents, and community organizations to address our most pressing challenges. As governor, Wes will: Ensure Maryland’s Blueprint for Education is fully funded and implemented and provide dedicated funding for the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board to assess progress and provide technical support to localities. Support educators, paraeducators, and ESPs by strengthening collective bargaining, expanding innovative teacher mentorship programs, raising wages, and building new pipelines to the workforce. Make child care and early childhood education more affordable and accessible by fully funding and streamlining the Child Care Scholarship fund, ensuring every child in need has access to free pre-k, and growing the early childhood workforce. Set students up for success by investing in 21st Century Schools, reinstating Maryland’s Governor’s Office for Children, and closing the digital divide. Tackle disrupted learning and position students for success by increasing funding for afterschool and summer programs, tutoring, and more. Prioritize students’ social/emotional well-being by expanding community schools, increasing the number of ESPs in our schools, and ensuring schools adopt inclusive, trauma-informed policies and practices. Combat the school-to-prison pipeline by reinstating the Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline, implementing restorative practices, preventing school resource officers from engaging in disciplinary decisions, and eliminating disorderly conduct as a criminal charge in schools. Prepare students for good-paying jobs by expanding access to CTE programs and offerings, investing in dual enrollment and apprenticeship programs, driving students into STEM fields, and implementing a Service Year Option program for high school graduates. ISSUES Civil Rights And Social Justice When Wes talks about equity and social justice, he is not simply reacting to the politics of the moment – he is speaking to his lived realities. Wes knows that we will never achieve our potential – as individuals or as a state – until equity is achieved. Wes applauded the Maryland legislature last year for passing some of the nation’s most comprehensive police accountability legislation, and we must continue to build on that progress and ensure it is executed effectively. That means continuing the march toward equity in our criminal justice system by supporting policies that promote redemption and second chances and reforming our prison systems. Wes will legalize cannabis, expunge the records of anyone convicted of simple possession, and prioritize equitable access to this emerging industry. But, true equity and social justice extends far beyond criminal justice. It means equity in housing. It means equity in access to education and health care. It means environmental justice. It means fixing procurement policies and increasing liquidity for our MBEs to increase job growth. It means supporting our HBCUs and committing to eliminating the wealth gap. And Wes doesn’t just talk about these things as priorities, he has already led on them. Wes helped launch Ninety-To-Zero, an initiative that brought leading CEOs and Executive Directors across all pillars of the nation’s economy to provide a roadmap for companies and organizations to act as an engine for continued collaborative learning to end the racial wealth gap. ISSUES Protecting, Supporting And Empowering Maryland’s Working Families Unions are good for our economy and have an equalizing power in the labor market. As the birthplace of America’s organized labor movement, Maryland recognizes the value of our workers. From Western Maryland’s railyards to the shipyards and steel mills in Baltimore, our state’s industrial foundation was set by union hands. The Moore-Miller team understands economic opportunity is readily available to some, and dangerously absent to others. Today, workers face a widening income gap and decreasing worker wellbeing. It is more vital now than ever before that we support and protect Maryland’s working families and their unions. Wes comes from a strong union family and believes that strong unions are essential to building a thriving and equitable economy in Maryland. When Wes’ father died at a young age and left his mother a widow, it was his father’s union that paid for his funeral and supported his sister when she got sick. These experiences helped to shape Wes’ strong commitment to organized labor and under his leadership as CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty nonprofits, their policy work centered around advocating for paid leave expansion, increased wages for front-line workers in the care sector, reforming the unemployment insurance systems, and ending wage theft and forced arbitration clauses for workers. They provided millions to a local union to improve training for home health workers, invested over $10 million annually in job training, and provided emergency relief funding for child care and health care workers during the pandemic. Wes’ running mate, former Delegate Aruna Miller, has also been a champion for labor throughout her career. As a Delegate in the General Assembly, Aruna supported legislation to provide workers flexible, paid leave for workers experiencing illnesses or with family experiencing illness, prohibiting subminimum wages for disabled workers, expanding collective bargaining, preventing employers from retaliating over wage complaints, increasing the minimum wage, and many other important labor issues. The North Star of the Moore-Miller administration will be to ensure that all working people have access to good jobs and the power to determine their wages and working conditions. Wes and Aruna are committed to protecting and expanding the right of workers to join unions and bargain collectively; this way expanding work, wages, and wealth for every family in Maryland, with a commitment to equity. Wes and Aruna will always work in true partnership with Maryland’s workers and unions to achieve these goals. To do this, the Moore-Miller administration will: Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023, and index it to the cost of living to ensure that worker wages don’t degrade over time. Ensure every worker has access to critical benefits like paid sick, family and medical leave. Appoint a Labor Relations Liaison to engage regularly with labor representatives and facilitate the quick resolution of issues brought to our attention. Expand access to Maryland’s apprenticeship programs, including registered apprenticeship programs, to provide workers with high-quality training that creates pathways to good careers. Empower Maryland’s Department of Labor to fully execute its mission and build systems to monitor wage theft, track and penalize bad actors, and report on trends to prevent future abuse. Leverage our state’s purchasing power to ensure resources are devoted to sound projects that pay workers a living wage, ensure they are not taken advantage of, and hire and train apprentices so we are building our workforce. Strengthen State Collective Bargaining agreements and encourage Maryland’s counties and municipal governments to do the same. ISSUES Veterans Maryland has a long and proud military tradition, unmatched by any other state. Today, more than 375,000 Veterans call Maryland home, and they play a critical role in our state and economy. Maryland has more than 50,000 Veteran-owned small businesses, generating more than $20 million in sales each year and employing thousands. Unfortunately, our Veterans also experience service-related challenges. Nationwide, nearly one in five Veterans lives with a mental health disorder. In Maryland, nearly 80,000 Veterans live with a disability, 60,000 are experiencing a housing issue and 17,000 are living in poverty. We can and must do more as a state for the men and women who have worn the cloth of our country and sacrificed so much to keep us safe and protect our freedoms. To better support Veterans, the Moore-Miller administration will: Lift up Veteran-owned small businesses by reforming our procurement process to make it easier for these businesses and entrepreneurs to win the state’s business, eliminating costly and burdensome regulations, and competing for the billions in federal funds available that will improve access to low or no-interest capital. Work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand and improve quality of care and expedite claims so Veterans can get access to the care they need. Better meet the needs of women Veterans by improving access to specialized health care, breaking down stigma around seeking treatment for Military Sexual Trauma and other care, and ensuring programs supporting the transition to civilian life address the unique needs of women. Ensure Maryland delivers the job training and educational resources needed for Veterans to obtain employment and compete in the private sector. Close health care gaps by expanding access to telehealth services. Support Veterans experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders by increasing funding for community-based behavioral health care, improving partnerships between state and federal agencies, and fighting back against stigma for those seeking care. Invest in permanent supportive housing, which connects people with housing and the wraparound services they need to maintain housing stability. Ensure spouses and dependents of Maryland Veterans are able to be laid to rest with their loved ones without incurring costs. ISSUES Protecting Reproductive Rights Across the nation, the right to choose is under fire more than ever before. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is dangerous and jeopardizes the bodily autonomy of women and non-gender-conforming individuals everywhere. In recent years, Maryland has taken important steps to protect abortion rights, including codifying the right to abortion and increasing training for abortion providers in order to expand access to reproductive health care. However, too many Marylanders continue to lack access to this care. In fact, more than 70% of counties in Maryland lack access to a clinic that provides abortion care, meaning nearly one-third of Maryland women live in an area where they cannot access an abortion clinic. Wes recognizes that all Marylanders deserve the autonomy to make their own decisions about their reproductive healthcare. Wes and Aruna will fight to make access to reproductive care more affordable and accessible in every corner of our state, and will: Enshrine the right to abortion in Maryland’s Constitution and establish Maryland as a safe haven for reproductive health care. Demand that Governor Hogan release appropriated funding to expand training for reproductive health care providers so more people can access care. If Governor Hogan fails to act, Wes and Aruna will release this funding on day one. Improve diversity in the reproductive health care field to ensure all Marylanders feel comfortable accessing reproductive health care. Address and eliminate disparities in maternal mortality rates for Black and Brown women by incorporating social determinants of health into health care settings and reporting measures across the state. Implement legislation requiring Maryland’s Medicaid program to provide one year of postpartum coverage to new mothers. Expand home visiting programs, which provide expecting and new mothers with wraparound supports and education. Work with broad coalitions and organizations like NARAL, Planned Parenthood and others to advance access to reproductive health care in Maryland. ISSUES Health Care When Wes was just three years old, he watched his father die in front of him from a virus that was completely treatable if he had just received the basic care that he deserved. That experience shaped Wes’ life and, specifically, his view that healthcare is a basic right that every Marylander deserves, period. Maryland is home to some of the very best hospitals, medical research institutions and health care facilities in the entire world – and that’s something we should all be proud of. But at the same time, so many Marylanders can’t access those institutions or even afford very basic care – and that shouldn’t be the case. The COVID-19 pandemic shows us that when people struggling with mental health issues and addiction are not able to access much needed in-person services, they suffer. Wes understands the need for Marylanders to have coverage that will include behavioral health, mental health, and substance disorders, not just physical health. And he will work to ensure the systems we have in place will provide effective and affordable services to those in need. Wes will protect funding for our community health centers that offer critical health services like cancer screenings and birth control. Wes supports the right to choose, and as Governor, he will fight to protect it. ISSUES Climate Maryland’s Climate, Our Economic Future From the farmlands and waterways of the Eastern Shore to our main streets throughout Central Maryland, to the mountains of Garrett County – Maryland has incredible natural resources that make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. Unfortunately, climate change, which continues to pose a tremendous threat to our state, has cost us $10 billion over the past decade, and is expected to cost us $19 billion in real estate damage alone this century. It is also causing increasingly severe storms, worsening pollution, poorer air quality, and more frequent extreme heat events, burdening low-income communities and communities of color the most. Once a national leader on climate change, Maryland continues to fall behind, putting our health, safety and economic future at risk. As Maryland’s next Governor, Wes will re-establish Maryland as the national and global leader we should be by setting aggressive clean energy and emissions reductions standards, partnering with local leaders to combat the effects of climate change, and build a more resilient Maryland. His plan will: Employ an entire-government and stakeholder-inclusive process whereby government agencies, local leaders and climate experts work hand-in-hand to solve our greatest challenges. Prioritize environmental justice for the low-income communities and communities of color facing the worst effects of climate change by taking action to address extreme heat, improve access to cleaner public transit, increase tree canopy cover to reduce pollution and cool the climate, and ensure equitable access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Ensure that Maryland generates 100% clean energy by 2035 by reducing energy consumption and the burden on the grid, supercharging investments in wind and solar developments, and investing in battery storage research and development to quickly bring new technologies to market. Reduce 60% of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 through clean energy generation targets, incentivizing electrification of vehicles and public transit, supporting more sustainable agriculture and forestry practices and reducing consumption. Ensure Marylanders of all backgrounds benefit from the tens of thousands of new jobs in the green economy by increasing access to green registered apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs and partnering with organized labor organizations to recruit and train workers. Preserve the Chesapeake Bay and protect our waterways by fully funding the Bay Restoration Fund, fighting to hold neighboring states accountable to reduce pollution, investing in storm and wastewater treatment upgrades, and partnering with industries to reduce pollutants and emissions. Combat sea level rise and recurrent flooding by constructing and replacing sea walls, creating buffers with natural infrastructure, and piloting programs to inject water underground to prevent land subsidence. Appoint a Chief Sustainability, Mitigation, and Resilience Officer to ensure strong public-private collaboration, measure our progress and ensure accountability to our goals. ISSUES Public Safety And Criminal Justice Violent crime is on the rise across Maryland and people are dying in our streets. Making matters worse, our state has experienced a failure of executive leadership over the past eight years that has left localities to fend for themselves and our communities less safe. From 2015 to 2020, Maryland saw increases in the rates and numbers of murder and rapes. In 2020 there were 573 reported homicides in jurisdictions across Maryland and more than 80 percent of those homicides were the result of a shooting. Maryland has the 7th highest firearm homicide rate in the country and tragically we lost 59 young people to firearm violence in 2019. Our ability to keep Marylanders safe is dependent upon having a governor who will be fully engaged and ensure crime is addressed with urgency in our communities. Wes has dedicated his career to fighting poverty and creating opportunities for the communities he serves. As an Army Captain and combat veteran, Wes was charged with serving and protecting communities around the globe. As CEO of one of the nation’s largest nonprofits fighting poverty, Wes’ organization funded national research on the long-term implications of crime, incarceration and criminal convictions, and that work led to the passage of transformative legislation and policy. Wes has also worked to rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement through collaborative work with communities and law enforcement agencies. During his time as CEO, Wes also raised and oversaw the distribution of $650 million to increase access to job training, improve worker conditions and more. There is no greater priority or responsibility for the chief executive than ensuring the public’s safety, and rising crime is a statewide problem requiring statewide leadership. As governor, Wes will: Swiftly and aggressively combat gun violence by building strong partnerships across state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, banning ghost guns and investing in proven community-based violence intervention programs. Reform Maryland’s probation and parole system by filling every vacant position, ensuring strong supervision of high-risk individuals, and leveraging local offices to connect people to behavioral health treatment, housing and employment. Increase resources for state law enforcement agencies so they are able to assist local agencies in preventing, interdicting and solving crime in our communities. Invest in proven community-based violence intervention programs and build strong partnerships with communities and law enforcement to identify individuals at-risk of violence, connect them to essential resources and interrupt lethal cycles of violence. Dramatically reduce Maryland’s recidivism rate by increasing investments in re-entry programming, expanding educational and job-training programs during incarceration and ensuring people have access to behavioral health treatment. Rebuild and strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement agencies by increasing accountability and transparency, funding community-policing initiatives and recruiting diverse officers that reflect the diversity of communities they serve. ISSUES Supporting Seniors Maryland is home to nearly 1.4 million people over the age of 60, and according to our most recent State Plan on Aging, we will see considerable growth in the older adult population in the next two decades. In fact, this age group is expected to grow to 1.7 million by 2040. Additionally, the population of Marylanders over the age of 85 will more than double in the same time period. This means Maryland’s next governor must be prepared to expand public long-term services and supports across health care, housing and transportation. Our next governor will also need to be prepared to address growing concerns around elder abuse, exploitation, and fraud in order to protect aging Marylanders. Every Marylander deserves the opportunity to age comfortably and with dignity, honoring their lives and contributions to our state. As governor, Wes will: Improve state and local service delivery for Maryland’s seniors by filling vacancies and increasing staffing levels at Maryland’s Department of Aging (MDOA), educating the public about the services offered by MDOA, and strengthening the Maryland Access Point, our state’s No Wrong Door single point of entry service. Improve access to affordable housing and support seniors’ ability to safely age-in-place by funding additional slots and reducing wait times for the Community Options Waiver so seniors have access to home-based care, increasing access to remote patient monitoring, expanding access to funding for accessible home modifications and finding new ways to provide financial support to family caregivers. Lower the cost of prescription drugs by empowering the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to review costs and set limits for prescription drugs, exploring bulk purchasing pools, and leveraging the state’s purchasing power to drive down costs. Improve existing long-term care facilities by leveraging federal dollars to ensure better oversight and compliance, addressing staffing shortages and fighting for better wages for nursing home staff. Combat elder abuse, exploitation, and fraud by partnering with community organizations to increase training for older Marylanders about their rights, as well as home health care workers, law enforcement officers and family members so they can more easily recognize and report these incidents. ISSUES SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Nearly 670,000 Marylanders live with a disability, including nearly 100,000 students and 325,000 working-aged people. People with disabilities in Maryland are working as educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, and serving in other vital roles. However, this community, from birth through adulthood, still faces tremendous disparities related to education, employment, and economic wellbeing. Marylanders with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of unemployment at 56%, and 62% of Black Marylanders with disabilities experience unemployment. Additionally, nearly one-fourth of Marylanders with disabilities are living in poverty. Maryland’s economy cannot truly thrive until every person, regardless of their abilities, is able to succeed and thrive. Wes recognizes that our families, communities, state and economy cannot thrive until every Marylander has the ability to access better work, wages, and wealth. As governor, Wes will build an inclusive economy and: Partner with child care and early learning programs to improve screening protocols, identify disabilities earlier, and connect families with early intervention services. Ensure students with disabilities are able to succeed and learn safely by fully funding and implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, urging Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and address critical staffing shortages. Partner with Maryland’s disability rights and advocacy organizations to improve access to community programs, secure additional waiver slots for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more. Promote economic mobility by establishing set asides in state apprenticeship and training programs for people with disabilities and partnering with the business community to develop new employment programs and incentives to encourage companies to hire people with disabilities. Work with Maryland’s world-class institutions of higher education, community college system and other stakeholders to build and strengthen specialized job training, apprenticeship, degree, and certification programs and ensure necessary wraparound services are in place to support completion. Make it easier for Marylanders with disabilities to start and grow businesses by streamlining the process to obtain an MBE certification, reforming the procurement process so business owners with disabilities can compete for and win state contracts, and ensure every state agency meets their MBE targets. Increase investments in supportive housing, which connects people with disabilities with the housing and the wraparound services they need to live and thrive in their communities. Improve transportation options by expanding Maryland’s MobilityLink/Paratransit service so that more Marylanders can have access to the mobility and transportation options needed to work, shop, and enjoy all our state has to offer.	”
—Wes Moore's campaign website (2022)

2018

Campaign website

The following themes were found on Miller's official campaign website.

“	Health Care Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is it written that the government must provide free, quality education to our children, but we do it because we know that providing a basic level of education to all citizens is a public good. A healthy population is at least as important as an educated population, which is why I believe that we should be moving toward a single payer health care system that covers every American. The #1 reason people declare bankruptcy in the United States is due to lack of insurance coverage and subsequent medical debt, and a medical emergency can happen to anyone at any time. The bottom line is that, as the richest country in the world, there is no excuse for us not ensuring the health of our citizens. With the current occupant in the White House, passing a single payer health care system will not be an option until at least 2020. Therefore, my top priority in Congress will be to save the Affordable Care Act and to improve it. I will fight to pass bipartisan proposals like funding the cost-sharing subsidies for low-income enrollees, maintaining federal support for the Medicaid expansion that helps over 250,000 Marylanders access health care services, and lowering prescription drug costs, especially for our seniors. In addition to increasing access to health care, we must also take federal action to stem the tide of opioid deaths in this country. In the Maryland General Assembly, I have actively fought for legislation and leadership to address our state’s opioid epidemic, and along with my colleagues, we pushed the Governor to do more to combat this crisis. I have supported bills that are saving lives in Maryland like the Heroin and Opioid Prevention Effort (HOPE) and Treatment Act and the Heroin and Opioid Education and Community Action Act. These bills provide funding for treatment and public education, ensure naloxone and other overdose-reversing medication is available in emergencies, and place limits on the amount of opioids that can be prescribed. We can and must take these actions, and more, at the federal level and that’s what I will do in Congress. Environment Climate change is real. It is happening and we must elect legislators who will take action. As an individual and as a legislator, I have always been an advocate for the environment. One of my first actions in the General Assembly was to co-sponsor the Marcellus Shale Act of 2011 which laid the groundwork for the eventual fracking ban in Maryland. I have taken on industrial farming by co-sponsoring the 2014 Poultry Fair Share Act. I have stood as 1 of 24 legislators against the majority on a bill which would have prohibited construction of wind-powered generation stations. I have advocated for stronger regulations ON THE COAL AND ENERGY INDUSTRY. I am proud of my work as a State Legislator which has included promoting renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting our bay and waterways. But we need more of that in Congress. While 97% of scientists around the world agree that climate change is a problem, over a third of our Congressional representatives are climate change deniers. My background is in engineering and I make decisions based on scientific evidence. It’s this fact-based perspective I plan to bring to Washington as your Congresswoman. That is why science advocates like 314 Action and environmental advocates around the state support our campaign. In Congress, the most urgent need I see is for the United States to return to the Paris Climate Agreement on Climate Change. Addressing Climate Change is the most urgent challenge of our generation. By leaving the Paris agreement the US has abdicated leadership on this issue. The technologies of the future will be those that address the need for clean, renewable energy and they will be developed countries who lead. Further in Congress, I will work to close the “Halliburton” loop hole in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which exempts natural gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act and exempts companies from disclosing the chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing. I would also tighten restrictions on corporate farming to promote responsible agricultural and livestock practices nation-wide. Economy and Jobs American economic vitality hinges on the prosperity of the middle class. Stagnant working-class wages coupled with rising income inequality have shrunk our middle class and left our economy in a precarious position. Maryland working class families deserve public policy investments that prioritize their growth. As a State Legislator I have a strong progressive record fighting to support Maryland’s working class families, from ensuring adequate funding for our public schools, to co-sponsoring legislation for a $15 minimum wage to ensuring workers get paid sick leave. Today we are connected globally and the pace of disruptive technology is only projected to accelerate. It is a time of great transition for industries and our economy. The changing dynamics of the global economy presents many challenges to American workers, but it also offers many opportunities. Instead of helping existing corporations get richer, I will focus on making sure all Americans have the ability to innovate, create, and build. When given a fair playing field Americans workers can compete with any country, anywhere in the world. In Congress, I will ensure we make strategic investments in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing technologies, and education to make our country the destination for the jobs of the 21st century. In Congress, I will continue this fight. The Republican legislation masquerading as tax reform starves resources for these crucial middle-class programs in favor of excusing wealthy Americans and large corporations from paying their fair share of taxes. Labor policies need to be adapted to address the modern day workforce. There are more women in the workplace and many families are now dual income with no single breadwinner. In 2011, one of the first bills I introduced was paid family leave. In following years I have continued to move the ball forward on this important issue for working families. I have stood with American workers who are the engine of our American economy. I continue to do the same in Congress. Education Our public schools are under attack from Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration. As a mother of three children who attended public schools, I understand the important role an investment in public schools play in our community, economy, and our future. As a State Legislator, I proudly supported legislation that strengthened the funding of our public education system. These policies have made Maryland public schools some of the top in the nation. In Congress, I will continue to support increasing investment in our public schools because we owe it to our students to equip them with the skill sets they will need in the 21st Century. Whether a child is college bound or is more inclined to choose a vocational training, our K-12 public school system should provide the foundation of skills for future success. Additionally, we need to be making higher education more affordable for those who choose that path. Like many families, my husband and I had to take a second mortgage on our home to send our children to college. I am fortunate we had the home equity to do this. But for many Maryland families, the cost of college is just too high. As a State Legislator, I fought to hold tuition to low single-digit increases even in tough budget years. And as a young person, I relied on Pell Grants, student loans, and work study programs to get through college. In Congress, I will fight to expand programs so students can access higher education. Burdening students with years, sometimes decades, of debt to get an education is just wrong, and it’s a drag on our economy. Student loans should be offered with competitive interest rates and public sector jobs should be a path to loan forgiveness. Supporting Individuals with Disabilities Far too often individuals with disabilities are shut out of the workforce, unable to fully realize their potential. I am committed to expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities through improving their access to meaningful employment and ensuring that considerations are made to accommodate their needs in the workplace. As a State Legislator, I fought against the practice of paying subminimum wages to individuals with disabilities, and advocated for programs which assist such individuals in achieving a higher quality of life. For families with children who are disabled, I proudly co-sponsored Maryland ‘s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program which allows parents to create tax free savings accounts to help cover expenses for children with disabilities. At the federal level, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to ensure equal protections, accommodations, and educational and work opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We have made great strides in this area and in Congress I will work to realize the vision of the ADA - a world where all individuals are able to fully participate and integrate into our society. Net Neutrality The idea of Net Neutrality is simple: Your internet provider shouldn’t be able to control what websites you have access to. If you pay for internet access, you should be allowed to access the entire internet. The repeal of Net Neutrality is a dangerous and undemocratic act that hurts the flow of information, favors mega-corporations, and hurts small business. The internet should remain open and free, and I will fight for that principle. In Congress I will fight for that principle. Women's Issues I want my three daughters to have every possible opportunity to succeed in America. Unfortunately, much of the progress we have made toward equality is under attack. As a State Legislator, I led efforts to protect women. When I met the family of a Maryland woman who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend after he repeatedly violated her restraining order, I passed the law requiring GPS tracking of domestic abusers who violate their restraining orders. In Congress, I will fight just as hard for Maryland’s women, starting with protecting a woman’s right to choose. I will fight against every Republican attempt to undermine Roe v. Wade, de-fund Planned Parenthood, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care and birth control. I am proud to have the endorsement of EMILY’s List, a national organization dedicated to helping elect pro-choice women. I will also fight to promote equal pay for equal work. In Maryland, a woman still earns on average 82 cents for every dollar a man makes, and that pay gap is even worse for women of color. We can do better. That’s why I co-sponsored the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in the Maryland House of Delegates, and was proud to see it signed into law. In Congress, I’ll continue to promote equal pay for equal work because unfair pay makes it harder for families to get ahead. In addition, labor policies need to be adapted to address the modern-day workforce. There are more women in the workplace and many families are now dual-income with no single breadwinner. In 2011, I introduced the first bill ever in Maryland for paid family leave. In following years, I have continued to move the ball forward on this important issue for working families. Fighting for equality for women shouldn’t be a women’s issue – equality is good for everyone. In Congress I will my work to ensure our country is a place where everyone can follow their dreams. Immigration Reform I came to this country from India when I was seven years old, received a quality public education, worked my way through college, made a successful career as an engineer, raised three daughters, and am now giving back to our community as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. As an immigrant, I know the value immigration brings to this country. Immigrants embody the American Dream and make invaluable contributions to the fabric of American life. But today, President Trump is attacking immigrant families and using xenophobic rhetoric and policies to divide Americans against each other. This is not a partisan political fight, it’s about basic morality and fundamental decency, and we must fight back. What Donald Trump does not understand is that immigrants are not a nuisance to be dealt with, they are an asset to our nation. As a State Legislator, I co-sponsored and fought for the Maryland Dream Act, so that bright young adults, who want to go to college, but through no fault of their own are now undocumented residents, have the ability to attend our state schools. In Congress, I will work on comprehensive fixes to our broken immigration system. Today there are thousands of highly skilled workers stuck in a legal limbo — sometimes up to 20 years—in our H1 visa programs. A shorter path to Permanent Residency would allow these individuals to fully participate in our economy and become job creators through entrepreneurship. Furthermore, any comprehensive immigration reform must include a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million law-abiding undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. today and the 2.1 million DREAMers who were brought to this country as children. It’s the American way, it’s good for the economy, and in Congress I’m determined to get it done. Protecting Our Children Our children are our future and we should be providing them with opportunities and protections so they can thrive as they grow into adulthood. As a State Legislator, I have fought for children again and again. I worked to extend the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against minors, so child victims of sexual abuse can get justice. I have also worked to protect children from threats to their health by passing the law banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. In addition, I have fought to make sure parents are given adequate warnings about the potential health risks imposed by exposure to chemicals in artificial turf fields. I am particularly proud of my work in helping to pass earned paid sick leave for Maryland’s workers. No longer will any Marylander have to choose between their job and taking care of themselves or their sick child. In 2011, I introduced the first bill for paid family leave. That bill would have ensured that parents could spend those first few critical months with their newborn children. I have continued to advocate on this important issue for working families. In Congress, I will continue to fight to give our children the best opportunities for a bright future, strengthen child protections, and ensure that parents are given the resources they need to provide for their families. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is finally getting the national attention it deserves, with many thanks to the silence breakers and the #MeToo movement, During my tenure as the President of the Maryland Women Legislators Caucus, I launched the Sexual Harassment Evaluation (S.H.E.) Committee, where a bipartisan group of women legislators worked together to review and establish policies to address sexual harassment. We must do more to address sexual harassment and assault in this country, and we should start with Congress and President Trump. There should be an immediate and full investigation of every allegation of sexual harassment and assault against Donald Trump and every Member of Congress who has used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment case should be exposed. For too long, members of Congress have protected themselves and silenced victims through onerous reporting processes and coerced confidentiality agreements. New standards need to be adopted to protect all workers against harassment in their place of employment. Stronger penalties need to be enacted, and those penalties must be enforced. Today, many people feel they must either accept whatever form of harassment they are experiencing or lose their jobs. That should never be the case. In Congress, I will fight to make sure we enact real legislative change to end sexual assault and harassment. Gun Safety I respect the Second Amendment Right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. Today, however, the fact is that the US has more gun deaths than any other developed nation means we need common sense gun laws. We can reduce gun violence in America, but we must use science to do so. That is why I support the repeal of the “Dickey Amendment” that prevents the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from researching causes and preventative measures for gun violence. As a State Legislator, I helped expand background checks for all commercial gun sales, pushed legislation to reduce magazine sizes, ban bump stocks and co-sponsored legislation to make our Maryland Universities gun-free zones. As I have done in Annapolis, in Congress I will support a national ban on semi-automatic assault weapons, high capacity magazines and an outlawing of bump stocks that effectively convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic ones. In Congress I will work to ensure we truly achieve universal background checks for all gun sales. Just as I have done in Annapolis I will continue to work to ensure we have stringent controls when firearms are purchased and close the gun show and straw purchase loopholes. Nationally, only about 90 percent of gun purchasers go through a background check and there are too many mistakes being made in the process; allowing ineligible people to buy guns, especially in cases of known violent abusers. We need to do a much better job of inputting data into the background check system. In Congress, I will push for more funding, oversight, and, if necessary, investigations to make sure this happens. Further, if you are on an FBI terrorist watch list you should not be able to purchase a firearm (No Fly-No Buy). Maryland’s concealed carry laws are some of the most stringent in the nation. I firmly oppose concealed carry reciprocity between states. National Security and Foreign Policy America is safest when our foreign policy reflects our national values. We stand for democracy, human rights, free and fair trade, respect for other countries, and peace. Today Donald Trump is isolating us in the world. He is pursuing a friendship with Vladimir Putin, while antagonizing our NATO allies in Europe. He has alienated Latin America and his rhetoric has intensified tensions with North Korea. At a time when our diplomatic efforts are most critical, Donald Trump is seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of State. In Congress I will oppose any such attempts made by the President to weaken our diplomatic presence, as it is a vital element to both our foreign policy goals and our national security. Furthermore, the US should denounce the use of first strike nuclear weapons; and Congress should re-evaluate current policies that give the President the sole authority to authorize a pre-emptive first strike. We are blessed as a nation to have an all-volunteer military force. The people who join our military put their lives on the line so we can be free. Elected leaders have a responsibility never to send them into harm’s way unless it’s absolutely necessary. Therefore, the use of these forces in combat should be reserved for when all other options have been fully exhausted. War is a serious national undertaking, which is why the Constitution requires Congress to declare war before the President, as Commander-in-Chief, executes it. In Congress i will strongly oppose ever giving the executive branch a blank check to use our military as was done in the Iraq conflict. Our military should be ready to defend us and our troops should never be denied the best tools they need to defend us. However, military spending represents over +50% of discretionary spending (more than the next 8 nations combined). In Congress I will ensure American tax payer dollars are being spent wisely. I will support strengthening, and more importantly modernizing, our Armed Forces to defend our national security interests. Threats around the world have changed and we must adapt. Cyberwarfare, unmanned aerial vehicles and small cell terrorism are some of the biggest challenges we face in the 21st Century, and what was the template for military spending in the 20th century should be reexamined. Finally, I will not let Donald Trump bring his hate to the Armed Forces. His decision to ban thousands of troops from protecting our country because of their gender identification is un-American. To achieve our military goals, our nation relies on having the best Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. To turn away some of our top recruits would only jeopardize our safety. Seniors/Social Security and Medicare As a nation, it is our duty to both preserve and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, benefits which seniors have earned through a lifetime of work. Social Security and Medicare have reduced poverty among senior citizens by two-thirds in the past 50 years. Congressman Paul Ryan has announced his intention to cut Social Security and Medicare, undoubtedly to help finance the Republican tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. The plan he previously advocated ended Social Security and Medicare guarantees for those under age 50. That still is clearly the Republican goal. At age 50, the average American has been paying into Social Security and Medicare for 30 years. To reduce their future benefits at that age is nothing less than a direct threat to their retirement. This is not acceptable. Medicare and Social Security are promises our nation has made to its senior citizens and those nearing retirement age have paid into these funds over a lifetime. In Congress, I will always vote to uphold these promises. To ensure Social Security’s solvency, I will propose an increase to the taxable wage. Workers making under $120,000 would see no change to their wages. Small adjustments to the taxable wage on high income earners can ensure Social Security remains strong and viable for generations to come. Honoring Our Promise to Veterans Our veterans and members of the Armed Forces have made enormous personal sacrifices to defend our freedom and our county. We must keep our nation’s promise to the men and women in uniform by providing quality health care, education, and employment opportunities for veterans. As a State Legislator, I have consistently supported legislation to assist our veterans and members of the Armed Forces. I helped pass the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013, which required licensing units and boards to give credit to former service members for their military training, experience, and education. I also co-sponsored multiple bills to provide incentives for companies to hire qualified veterans. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for policies that help veterans transition to a meaningful civilian career when they retire from or leave the service. Current and former members of the Armed Forces possess a wide variety of specialized skills, many of which are not fully recognized by state certification authorities. I will work to strengthen our economy and our communities by connecting veterans – and their unique skill sets – with good paying jobs. Nothing is more important than providing quality health care for veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs should be reorganized to provide more timely and convenient access to world-class care. In Congress, I will stand against Donald Trump’s latest attempts to pass legislation like the “Coordinated Access and Rewarding Experiences Act,” which is the most recent Republican effort to privatize the VA, in the hopes of privatizing Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security after that. Our Veterans have given so much in service to our country. We have the strongest military in the world, and we have a sacred responsibility to protect and care for those who have put their lives at risk to protect us. As your Congresswoman, I will never forget our promises to America’s Veterans. Fiscal Responsibility and Government Accountability The ill-advised and irresponsible Republican tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy will add almost $1.5 trillion dollars to the deficit. For all of the lip service that Republicans pay to fiscal conservatism, the passage of this legislation shows that their loyalties lie, not with their principles, but with their donors. It is our responsibility as a democratic nation to maintain a tax system that encourages economic growth for all. To do this, we must ensure that the economic burden is not placed solely on the backs of middle-class workers. Corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes to support government programs that benefit our nation as a whole. In Congress, I will vote for responsible fiscal policies, while increasing spending that leads to a stronger economy, good paying jobs, and a better America for all. Besides hurting the middle class, especially in states like Maryland, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are also making federal workers pay for the tax plan by slashing their retirement and benefit programs. They passed tax cuts for corporations currently experiencing record-breaking profits at the expense of hard working civil servants. Federal employees are among the most dedicated and productive workers in our entire economy. In Congress I will always fight to make sure they are treated accordingly. They deserve a pay raise in 2018. Criminal Justice Reform There are roughly 2.2 million Americans incarcerated in our federal and state prisons, most for non-violent crimes. The United States has the highest rate of incarceration per capita of any major country, making up one quarter of the world’s prison population. Unfortunately, incarceration rates for people of color are far higher than for whites, which is why the mass expansion of our corrections system is now called “the New Jim Crow.” This is not something we can stand for as a nation. We must confront institutional racism where it exists. That means ending the school to prison pipeline, providing more training to our police force to confront implicit bias, and ensuring criminal sentencing is sensible and fair. In addition, we must stop incarcerating non-violent offenders, the mentally ill, and those suffering from drug addiction in such large numbers. We need to institute alternatives to arresting and incarcerating non-violent, first-time offenders. We must recognize that drug addiction should be treated as a mental health issue rather than a criminal justice one. We can reflect this new approach through the establishment of drug courts, to avoid treating addicts like violent criminals. For those who are incarcerated, our prisons should offer a real path to rehabilitation for any prisoner who wants it. Finally, we should end the practice of capital punishment. As State Legislator I helped end the practice in Maryland. In Congress, I will continue to fight for real criminal justice reform and the end of capital punishment. LGBT One of the proudest moments of my State Legislator was co-sponsoring the historic CIVIL MARRIAGE PROTECTION ACT, which eventually brought marriage equality to Maryland. I will never forget standing on the House floor and speaking in support of equality and against this prolonged injustice. But the passage of that bill did not mean the end of inequality for members of the LGBT community. That’s why in 2014 I proudly co-sponsored the FAIRNESS FOR ALL MARYLANDERS ACT OF 2014 that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. But we’re still not done. The 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which made same-sex marriage a right nationwide, was a turning point in the fight for LGBT rights; however, we still have a long way to go. Right now, anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community are being attacked under the guise of protecting religious freedom. This cannot be tolerated. In Congress, I will be a voice to expand federal equal protection laws to LGBT individuals. The cornerstone of our democracy is fairness. All Americans deserve to live their lives free from discrimination on the basis of who they are and who they love. Upgrading Our Infrastructure As a transportation engineer for Montgomery County for over 25 years, I know how important it is to have a balanced and efficient transportation system that can support and grow our regional economy. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our vital national infrastructure a D+ grade. Americans trust that the roads and bridges they travel on to get to and from work every day are safe, but right now the American government can’t promise that. We need $1 trillion in infrastructure investments just to keep pace with essential maintenance and growth projects over the next 10 years. Despite being necessary, properly funding infrastructure maintenance has the added benefit of creating three million jobs. In Congress I will fight for 21st Century infrastructure. Additionally, just as rivers were once the engine for prosperity and growth, in the 21st century, broadband will be the key mechanism for innovation and economic expansion. We must ensure that broadband extends throughout our entire country including our rural communities, or we will be leaving much of our talented workforce out of the new economy. In Congress, I will ensure that expand broadband access is expanded. Animal Welfare My late father taught me the importance of treating every living creature with dignity and respect, a lesson which has stuck with me throughout my personal life and my career as a legislator. As a State Legislator, I was the primary sponsor for the establishment of the Animal Abuse Emergency Compensation Fund, which assists in paying the costs associated with the removal and care of animals rescued under Maryland’s animal abuse and neglect laws. During the 2018 session, I will be pursuing legislation which will ban the use of elephants for entertainment within the state of Maryland. In Congress, I will continue to be a voice for all living things, by fighting against inhumane treatment of animals in captivity and for protecting our nation’s wildlife.	”
—Aruna Miller for Congress

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Maryland

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Maryland scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2018

In 2018, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 10 through April 9.

• Maryland Business for Responsive Government

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.

• Maryland Public Interest Research Group

Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests.

• NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 11 through April 10. Food and Water Watch Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Maryland Business for Responsive Government Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Maryland League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Maryland Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests. Maryland State Education Association Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 13 through April 11. Maryland Business for Responsive Government Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Maryland League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Maryland Right to Life Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 14 through April 13. Maryland Business for Responsive Government Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland. Maryland League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on environmental issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 8 to April 7. Humane Society Legislative Fund Legislators are scored on votes related to animal issues. Maryland Business for Responsive Government Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland. Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition Legislators are scored on bills related to consumer issues. Maryland League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on environmental issues. Maryland State Educators Association Legislators are scored on bills related to public education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Maryland General Assembly was in session from January 9 to April 8. Humane Society Legislative Fund Legislators are scored on votes related to animal issues. Maryland Business for Responsive Government Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland. Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition Legislators are scored on bills related to consumer issues. Maryland League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on environmental issues.

Personal

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Miller and her husband, David, have three children.

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Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

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Political offices
Preceded by Boyd Rutherford (R)	Lieutenant Governor of Maryland 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Maryland House of Delegates District 15 2011-2019	Succeeded by Lily Qi (D)