Clarence Lam to Run for District 12 Delegate Seat

Dr. Clarence Lam, a Columbia Democrat who has quickly embedded himself into local politics, announced Tuesday he will run for the Maryland House of Delegates in the wide-open District 12.

"I am running for state delegate because we need a progressive Democrat to fight for our values in Annapolis," Lam said in his announcement. "I’ll work to ensure affordable, high quality health care, improve our schools, create jobs, preserve our environment, and reinvest in our roads and infrastructure."

District 12, which includes West Columbia, Catonsville, Elkridge, Halethorpe, Arbutus, Lansdowne and the Baltimore Highlands, was recently redistricted to include Downtown Columbia. The three incumbent delegates from the District—Liz Bobo, James Malone and Steve DeBoy—all announced they would retire after the 2014 legislative session.

Lam, 32, said the decision by the three incumbents to retire led people ask him if he was interested in the seat, and he decided to run after speaking with constituents, friends and family.

"I felt it was the appropriate time," said Lam, who is the first candidate to officially declare his intention to run in District 12. He currently has about $30,000 in his campaign account, according to state records filed in January.

Lam, of Columbia, is a member of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, the president of the Young Democrats of Howard County and the co-executive director of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Leadership Council of the Maryland Democratic Party.

He was born and raised in Allentown, PA, but lived in the Baltimore area for about 10 years while studying for his medical degree.

He previously worked in Annapolis on the legislative staff of Baltimore County Delegate Dan Morhaim and in Washington DC, as part of Henry Waxman's oversight committee staff.

"I've always had a sense that public service is one of the most rewarding things an individual can do for their community," said Lam.

He said the state issues that he's most passionate are healthcare, transportation and education. He said if elected he would work to invest in the state's infrastructure, ensure community colleges in the District are well funded and make sure the implementation of the Affordable Care Act isn't overly burdensome on the state's patients, doctors and hospitals.

Lam currently serves on the Harper's Choice Village Board. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland medical school and works in preventative medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

What does he think of his chances in the election?

"I think the important thing is to work hard for the district," said Lam. "It's important to hear the concerns of the voters. If one does a good job at those things, reach out to voters, and asking for their votes, I think the election will turn out well for anyone."