Jonathan Shurberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Shurberg
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Shurberg in 2013
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Jonathan Seth Shurberg
March 27, 1963 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | July 20, 2017 (aged 54) Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | B.A Georgetown University J.D American University |
| Occupation | Trial Lawyer, Politician |
| Known for | Candidate for State Delegate, 2014 Maryland Democratic Primary Election |
| Spouse(s) | Rebecca Lord (deceased) |
Jonathan Seth Shurberg (born March 27, 1963 – died July 20, 2017) was an American lawyer and community helper from Maryland. He worked as a lawyer for more than 20 years. Jonathan was also very active in Maryland politics from 2002 until he passed away. In 2014, he ran to become a state delegate for the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Education
Jonathan Shurberg was born on March 27, 1963, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Wethersfield, Connecticut. After finishing high school in 1981, he moved to Washington D.C. He went to Georgetown University and graduated in 1985. He earned a degree in International Politics.
After college, Jonathan worked as a paralegal, helping lawyers with their cases. Later, he went to law school at the Washington College of Law at American University. There, he met Rebecca Lord, who would become his wife. In 1990, they moved to Silver Spring, Maryland.
Helping People Through Law
In 1991, Jonathan Shurberg finished law school with top honors. He started working for a judge on the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. In 1992, he became a licensed lawyer in Maryland. He worked for different law firms, focusing on family law. In 1996, he opened his own law practice. For over 22 years, Jonathan helped people with their legal needs in Montgomery County, Maryland.
In 2006, Jonathan helped Congresswoman Donna Edwards after a close election. In 2008, when she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives again, he was her campaign lawyer. He helped make sure the election was fair, which led to her winning.
Jonathan also helped 30 families in Takoma Park, Maryland who were facing eviction in 2006. He worked with Senator Jamie Raskin. Their efforts helped delay the evictions, allowing the families to stay in their homes.
Expanding Voting Rights
In 2008, Jonathan Shurberg won an important case for a teenager from Bethesda, Maryland. This case restored the right for 17-year-olds in Maryland to vote in primary elections. This was allowed if they would be 18 by the time of the general election. Because of Jonathan's work, over 50,000 young Marylanders gained the right to vote. Less than a year later, more than 12,000 17-year-olds had registered to vote.
Protecting Equal Rights
Also in 2008, Jonathan worked with Equality Maryland. They successfully defended a law in Montgomery County that protected people from discrimination based on gender identity. This law was challenged by people who wanted to remove it. Jonathan argued strongly against this challenge. His work, along with other LGBT organizations, helped protect this important law. This effort also helped set the stage for a similar statewide law in 2014. He received an award for his work from Gay Law.
Community and Political Work
Jonathan Shurberg started his political journey in 2002. He wanted to help advance good causes in his community. He volunteered for Tom Perez's campaign for County Council that year. This early work inspired him to get more involved in Montgomery County, Maryland politics. He became a parent-teacher association (PTA) representative for Highland View Elementary School.
In 2004, Jonathan volunteered as a lawyer to protect voters' rights. He worked for the John Kerry for President campaign in Ohio.
Starting in 2005, Jonathan and his wife Rebecca hosted an annual event. This event introduced new political candidates to the Greater Silver Spring, Maryland Democratic Club. Future State Senator Jamie Raskin and Heather Mizeur were among those candidates. In 2006, Jonathan helped Jamie Raskin win his state senate campaign. He also helped Heather Mizeur win a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was also active in U.S Senator Ben Cardin's first campaign for U.S Senate.
Jonathan was very active in community and political groups for many years. He helped start Progressive Neighbors, a group in Silver Spring. This group works to support good causes in Montgomery County. He also led the Legislative Committee for Gender Rights Maryland. This group helps protect the civil rights of transgender people.
Working in the State Capital
For seven years, Jonathan Shurberg spoke before the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate. He spoke about important issues for his community, especially voting rights. In 2009, the State Board of Elections wanted to remove registered voters from the voter rolls. This would happen if voters didn't respond to a mail notice. Jonathan spoke against this bill, saying it was unconstitutional. Because of his efforts, the bill was changed. This saved hundreds of thousands of Maryland voters from losing their right to vote.
Since 2007, Jonathan worked on many legislative committees. He worked with different lawmakers and activists. They focused on issues like same-sex marriage and gender identity nondiscrimination laws. He built strong relationships with members of the Maryland General Assembly.
Maryland Scramble
In March 2015, Jonathan Shurberg started a political blog called Maryland Scramble. This was after Senator Barbara Mikulski announced she would not run for re-election. The blog focused on Maryland politics.
Personal Life
Jonathan Shurberg lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his family. He had two sons, Eli (born 1994) and Ethan (born 2000). His wife, Rebecca Lord, passed away in 2012. She had been battling thyroid cancer. Even while sick, Rebecca was active in local politics. She also earned a PhD in Latin American history.
