Sharon Green Middleton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharon Green Middleton
Middleton in 2023
Vice President of the Baltimore City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office December 8, 2016
President	Bernard C. Young Brandon Scott Nick Mosby
Preceded by	Edward Reisinger
Member of the Baltimore City Council from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office February 26, 2007
Preceded by	Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Personal details
Born	Sharon Green (1954-05-01) May 1, 1954 (age 71) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Spouse	Glenard Middleton ​ ​ (m. 1980; died 2024)​
Children	1, and 1 stepchild
Education	Morgan State University (BA)

Sharon Green Middleton, born on May 1, 1954, is an American politician. She has been a member of the Baltimore City Council since 2007. Since 2016, she has also served as its Vice President. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Middleton briefly became the acting president of the Baltimore City Council in 2019. This happened after Bernard C. Young became mayor.

Early Life and Education

Sharon Green Middleton was born in Baltimore on May 1, 1954. Her mother, Martha V. Green, was a retired telephone operator. Her father, Kennedy Carl Green, worked with steel.

Middleton graduated from Morgan State University in 1976. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education. After college, she worked as a teacher for 20 years. She taught in Baltimore County Public Schools. Later, she worked for the Maryland State Department of Education. She also worked for the Maryland Department of Labor. She retired from these roles in 2006.

Serving on the Baltimore City Council

In February 2007, a position opened on the Baltimore City Council. This happened when Stephanie Rawlings-Blake became the council president. Middleton applied for the open seat. The Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee chose her for the role.

The Baltimore City Council then approved her nomination. She was sworn in as a council member on February 26, 2007. Later that year, she ran for election and won a full four-year term.

In April 2019, the mayor of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh, resigned. Because of this, Sharon Middleton temporarily became the acting president of the Baltimore City Council. She held this position until May 6, 2019. On that date, the council elected Brandon Scott as its new president.

Middleton (center left) at the Maryland Association of Counties winter conference, 2019

In December 2019, Middleton was chosen to lead the Maryland Association of Counties. This group works to represent counties in Maryland. She was the first African American from Baltimore to hold this important position.

Personal Life

Sharon Middleton was married to Glenard S. Middleton Sr. They were married from 1980 until his passing on November 7, 2024. Glenard Middleton was a leader for a workers' union called AFSCME Local 67.

Sharon and Glenard had a son together. She also has a stepdaughter. As of November 2023, both of their children work for the Baltimore city government.

Political Ideas and Actions

Views on Crime and Safety

In January 2014, Middleton supported a plan to close some liquor stores. She believed closing one-third of them would help reduce crime.

In September 2014, a newspaper report showed Baltimore had paid for many police misconduct cases. Middleton asked the Baltimore Police Department to improve officer training. She wanted officers to learn how to handle different situations better. In September 2019, she did not support a bill to stop "gag orders" in police misconduct cases. These orders keep details of cases private.

In May 2022, Baltimore saw an increase in violent crime. Middleton called for more police patrols in neighborhoods. She also questioned how well community programs were working to stop violence.

Views on the Environment

In January 2014, Middleton voted against a bill for a 10-cent fee. This fee would have been on paper and plastic bags in stores. She wanted the city to create a full plan to control litter instead.

Views on Housing and Development

In September 2013, Middleton voted against a plan to change an old chemical plant. The plan was to turn it into a waterfront area. She worried about safety and the money given to the project.

In September 2016, Middleton voted against a bill. This bill would have required developers to build affordable homes. This would apply if they received tax benefits.

In February 2018, Middleton voted for a bill. This bill provided $4 million in tax breaks. It was for redeveloping the Northwood Plaza shopping center.

In June 2019, a study showed differences in water costs for African Americans in Baltimore. Middleton introduced a bill to help residents with water bills. It aimed to make it easier to question bills and get financial help.

In January 2021, Middleton introduced a bill about security deposits. It would require landlords with 10 or more units to offer other payment options. Mayor Brandon Scott did not sign this bill. So, she introduced another bill. This new bill created a program to help low-income residents pay deposits. Mayor Scott signed this bill into law.

In January 2022, Middleton suggested using special funding for housing programs. She wanted to support programs that help make homes more energy-efficient. She felt these programs needed more help to do their job well.

Views on Labor and Workers

In October 2007, there was a disagreement between the Baltimore Teachers Union and the schools. Middleton supported the union with a resolution.

In March 2017, Middleton voted for a bill. This bill aimed to raise the minimum wage in Baltimore to $15 an hour.

In December 2020, Middleton voted for a bill to protect hospitality workers. These workers had lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Young did not sign this bill. Middleton then voted against trying to pass the bill despite the mayor's veto.

Views on Social Issues

In July 2020, Middleton voted against a bill. This bill would have asked voters to limit city elected officials to three terms.

Views on Transportation

In March 2019, Middleton supported removing bike lanes on Roland Avenue. She said her community was tired of "experiments." In January 2024, she asked for a meeting about the city's bike paths. She mentioned community concerns about bike lanes. At the meeting, Middleton said bike lanes were "unfair" to families with cars.

Electoral History