The Gist
State Senator, 9th District
Photo of Katie Fry Hester
Katie Fry HesterOfficial portrait — Maryland General Assembly

Katie Fry Hester

Candidate for State Senator, 9th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator
Lives in
Howard County
Campaign website
katiefryhester.com

State senator for District 9 since 2019; Deputy Majority Whip and chair of the Rules Committee. Before office she worked 20 years in international development and partnership-building (The Partnering Initiative, SustainAbility); B.Sc. in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell.

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Photo: Official portrait — Maryland General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Public safety

  • Sponsored a bill on AI deepfake identity fraud.In office

    Primary sponsor of SB 8 (2026 regular session), titled "Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations".

    Senator Katie Fry Hester, member page, Maryland General Assembly

    Government record · Maryland General Assembly · Legislation: SB 8 · mgaleg.maryland.gov

    “Criminal Law - Identity Fraud - Artificial Intelligence and Deepfake Representations”
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Education

  • Sponsored the AI-Ready Schools Act for AI literacy.

    Maryland Senate District 9: 2026 Maryland Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Banner · May 18, 2026 · thebanner.com

    “This year, I sponsored the AI-Ready Schools Act, which will ensure our students are AI-literate when they graduate”
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  • Supports keeping Blueprint core while adjusting timelines.

    Maryland Senate District 9: 2026 Maryland Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Banner · May 18, 2026 · thebanner.com

    “while remaining willing to adjust timelines and allow flexibility to ensure sustainability within our existing resources”
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Housing

  • Supports faster permitting and housing near jobs and transit.

    Maryland Senate District 9: 2026 Maryland Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Banner · May 18, 2026 · thebanner.com

    “We must cut unnecessary red tape, accelerate permitting, and build more housing near job centers and transit.”
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Roads & infrastructure

Health & human services

  • Pledges to defend reproductive rights.

    Listed on her campaign site under "Reproductive Rights."

    Katie Fry Hester for MD State Senate D9

    Campaign website · Friends of Katie Fry Hester · katiefryhester.com

    “I promise that I will continue to stand up for women's rights in Annapolis”
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All sources (7)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.

Katie Fry Hester for State Senator, 9th District, Maryland · The Gist