Delegate Mark Edelson's passion for service and commitment to inclusive policies is rooted in his formative experiences as a foreign-born immigrant to the U.S. The resilience, grit, and fortitude modeled to him by his family – intent on providing every opportunity to succeed despite the struggle and sacrifice this often required on their part -- ingrained in Mark a great sense of purpose, duty, and responsibility.

He often reflects on the experiences of his youth, and the promise he made to himself: that if he could do something to remove some of that struggle and sacrifice from similarly positioned families, he would.  Every day, he works collaboratively with colleagues, community members, stakeholders, and advocates to bring that vision to life.  His desire to better the lives of Maryland families strengthened with the birth of his son, Chase, in June of 2023.

While his dogged work ethic and persistence allowed Mark to accomplish many of his parents’ greatest wishes for his future, he knows intimately that nothing  would have been possible without the privilege of opportunity, support, and mentorship he received every step along the way. His late mother’s guiding principle: “If you can, you must,” drives Mark today in his vision and work to ensure that every resident of this city he loves – Baltimore City – has the same opportunity, hope, and experience that lifted his family from their hardships and guided Mark’s belief that anything is possible.