Joe Vogel is a new young face in the Maryland General Assembly, and since taking office in January he’s already introduced ten bills targeting issues that range from school staffing shortages to hate crime prevention to ticket price gouging.
Vogel, a Democrat from Rockville, represents District 17 in Montgomery County. He told MoCo360 he considers being a state delegate a job more than a title.
“At any job that I’ve ever had in my life or any job that my constituents have, you’re expected to show up and get to work,” Vogel said. “Me and my team showed up here a month ago and we hit the ground running.”
Vogel, 26, is one of Maryland’s first Gen Z delegates, alongside Jeffrie Long, Jr. (D-Dist. 27B). Long represents portions of Prince George’s and Calvert counties.
Vogel said it’s not a coincidence that the scope of the bills he’s introduced is so eclectic. He said he believes it’s important for legislators to address the wide variety of challenges currently facing his generation and future generations.
“I ran because this is a once-in-a-generation moment. The challenges we face are going to have profound implications, profound consequences for the rest of my life, and this is a window in time when so many challenges must be addressed,” he said.