Robert Zirkin

Robert A. "Bobby" Zirkin (born April 24, 1971) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently serving in his 2nd term in the Maryland State Senate, representing Maryland's District 11 in Baltimore County.

Born in Davis, California, Zirkin's family moved to Maryland while he was a child and Zirkin attended Baltimore County Public Schools, including Pikesville High School. He received a bachelor's degree from the Johns Hopkins University before earning a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center before joining the Maryland Bar. London School of Economics, American University of Brussels, 1992; The Johns Hopkins University, B.A. (political science), 1993; Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1998. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 2000

Zirkin served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates before winning an open seat in the State Senate in the 2006 election. He has been a member of the Senate since January 10, 2007. He is currently a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee; the Special Committee on Substance Abuse; the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review; and the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. In his first term, he was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee and its public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee. Zirkin was also a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families; and the Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation. Member, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007 (environment subcommittee, 2007; ethics & election law subcommittee, 2007; special committee on renewables & clean energy, 2007).

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Zirkin supported Barack Obama.