Candidates for District 17

Senator (Vote for 1)

Philip Cook

Democrat - Candidate (website)

I 100% support ending taxpayer funding to the Maryland Israel Development Center and I will commit to refusing campaign donation or lobbying support from organizations or individuals tied to the Hindu nationalist movement.

A digital illustration of a watermelon slice showing red flesh with black seeds, green rind, and white inner layer.

Cheryl Kagan

Democrat - Incumbent (website)

Wrote letter to CASA threatening to withhold funding because they spoke out against the genocide.

Made a public statement condemning Montgomery College showing the film Occupation of the American Mind

Has not made a statement about Maryland’s funding of the Maryland Israel Development Center.

Went to Israel on a trip paid for by the Israeli government. Events with the Jewish National Fund were included (see video). When activists approached her about the trip, she doubled down and made a photo from her trip as her Facebook banner.

Cheryl Kagan for Maryland State senate in District 17 goes to Israel paid by the Israeli goverment

Portrait of a woman with dark brown hair, fair skin, red lipstick, wearing a white coat and a blue shirt, smiling at camera.

Helene Meister

Republican - Incumbent (website)

Has not responded to our questions about funding for the Maryland Israel Development Center.

Delegates (Vote for up to 3)

*This is a race that you might consider a bullet-voting strategy. Read here.

Julie Palakovich Carr

Democrat - Incumbent (website)

Has not responded to our questions about funding for the Maryland Israel Development Center.

Christopher Reed

A young man with slicked-back dark hair, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt, and yellow tie, standing outdoors with trees and fallen leaves in the background.

Democrat - Candidate (website)

‍ ‍

I'm against the Maryland-Israel Development Center, I'm also against the Anti-BDS Executive Order Governor Hogan passed in 2017. If I'm elected, I'd like to work on legislation that would override the executive order.

A digital illustration of a watermelon slice with a red interior, black seeds, a green rind, and white layer in between.

Ryan Spiegel

Democrat - Incumbent (website)

Has not responded to our questions about funding for the Maryland Israel Development Center.

Made a public statement condemning Montgomery College showing the film Occupation of the American Mind.

Joe Vogel

Democrat - Incumbent (website)

Has called Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now “fringe organizations that are far, far outside of the mainstream views of American Jews.” In his author bio for the TImes of Israel, identifies as pro-Israel.

Has not responded to our questions about Maryland’s funding of the Maryland Israel Development Center.