Shane Robinson

Arash Shane Robinson (born December 26, 1976) is an American politician and a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 39 in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Background

Early life Robinson was born on December 26, 1976, to American parents living in Ahwaz, Iran. As a child Robinson lived in Bolivia, the nation of his mother's birth, as well as Brazil, Maryland, Nevada, and Poland. He later graduated from Reno High School.

House of Delegates Robinson ran for one of three seats in District 39 in the Maryland House of Delegates in the fall of 2010. He came in third, behind incumbents Charles E. Barkley and Kirill Reznik. He was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 12, 2011, and assigned to serve on the House Environmental Matters Committee and its Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee and Environment Subcommittee. In his first year in the legislature, he was also appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Trust and as a member of the Task Force to Study the Establishment of a Statewide Spay/Neuter Fund.

On May 25, 2017, Robinson filed his candidacy for reelection as Delegate. In June 2018, he lost the primary election by 154 votes. Following the general election, Robinson switched his party affiliation to the Green Party.

Political positions Robinson co-sponsored a bill to prohibit wage discrimination based on gender identity. He also co-sponsored a bill to authorize same-sex marriage. Robinson is an advocate for alternative energy he is a strong supporter of the Off Fossil Fuels Act which would require Maryland to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035. He sponsored a law to ban fracking, which passed in Maryland. He was awarded Green Champion by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters for his work in promoting environmental causes in 2017. He voted yes on a bill to reduce green house gas emissions. Robinson is a vegan, and has said that animal rights are important to him. He has advocated against the competitive hunting of Cownose Rays. He also has sponsored a bill to end training on live animals at Johns Hopkins.

Robinson voted in favor of legislation which would require the fingerprinting of gun buyers, prevent purchasing of guns by the mentally ill, a ban on assault weapons, and banning magazines that hold over 10 bullets. Robinson co-sponsored legislation to prohibit price hikes in generic drugs in Maryland, the legislation passed. Robinson co-sponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage in Maryland. He also supported a bill which would require public school teachers paying labour union fees. He voted yes on a bill to require certain employers to provide paid sick leave. Robinson voted yes on a bill to repeal the death penalty.

Endorsements In 2014, Robinson was endorsed by Equality Maryland, Maryland State and Washington, DC AFL-CIO, Maryland State Education Association – NEA, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, National Organization for Women, Progressive Maryland, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, and United Food & Commercial Workers. Robinson endorsed Ben Shnider in the race for District 3 County Council. He also condemned a petition to limit early endorsements.

Electoral history 2010 Race for Maryland House of Delegates–39th District Voters to choose three: Name Votes Percent Outcome Charles E. Barkley, Democratic 15,247 23% Won Shane Robinson, Democratic 14,179 21.4% Won Kirill Reznik, Democratic 13,788 20.8% Won Gloria Chang, Republican 8,117 12.3% Lost Al Phillips, Republican 7,565 11.4% Lost Xiangfei Chang, Republican 7,340 11.1% Lost