In 2014, Kerr unsuccessfully ran for the Frederick County Board of Education, seeking to replace board member Brad Young.[4][5] He lost to incumbent April Miller in the general election by a margin of 43 votes. He declined to request a recount, saying that he trusted the proficiency of the elections officials in tallying absentee and provisional ballots.[6]
In April 2016, Kerr again ran for the Frederick County Board of Education.[7] During the general election, Kerr teamed up with candidates Michael Bunitsky and incumbent school board member Joy Schaefer to campaign and fundraise together and to pool funds.[8] Kerr was victorious in the general election, receiving 25.7 percent of the vote.[9] He was sworn in on December 7, 2016.[10]
In January 2018, Kerr announced his candidacy for the Maryland House of Delegates, seeking to challenge Delegate William Folden.[11] He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[12] Kerr defeated Folden in the general election,[13] earning 52.4 percent of the vote.[14] After his general election win, Kerr resigned from the Frederick County Board of Education.[15] The Frederick County Council voted to appoint Lois Jarman to fill his seat.[16]
In the legislature
Kerr was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. He served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee from 2019 to 2025,[1] afterwards serving as the vice chair of the Labor, Elections, and Government Committee.[17] Kerr is also an associate member of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, as well as the Veterans Caucus.[1]
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would allow farmers who grew malting barley and rye as cover crops to combine harvest their crops while still earning a stipend.[19] The bill received an unfavorable report from the Environment and Transportation Committee.[20]
Alcohol
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2021 legislative session that would allow some restaurants, bars, and taverns to continue selling alcoholic beverages that could be consumed off-site.[21] The bill passed and became law with Governor Larry Hogan's signature on May 18, 2021.[22]
Drugs
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislation session that would categorize kratom as among the most dangerous controlled substances in Maryland.[23]
Education
Kerr supported legislation introduced by Delegate Kathy Afzali during the 2017 legislative session that would require schools be open for at least 1,080 hours a year, or roughly 155 full school days.[24]
During the 2018 election, Kerr ran as "a champion for public education."[25]
In January 2019, Kerr testified in support of a bill that would classify teachers at the Maryland School for the Deaf as state employees, rather than "at will" employees.[26]
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2020 legislative session that would prove funding for a teacher apprenticeship program for the Frederick County Public Schools system.[27] He also introduced a bill that would allow students to attend a nonprofit institution of higher learning at the same cost as an average four-year rate for tuition and fees for public colleges and universities through Maryland's higher education system.[28][29]
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2022 legislative session that would require seizure training for teachers and other school employees.[30] It received a favorable subcommittee report.[31]
In February 2020, Kerr was one of seven Democrats who voted against a bill that would mandate background checks on private sales and transfers of shotguns and rifles.[33]
Healthcare
Kerr introduced legislation in the 2019 legislative session that aims to reduce the amount that young people pay for insurance through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.[34][35][36] The bill passed and went into effect without Governor Larry Hogan's signature on May 30, 2021.[37]
In March 2019, Kerr voted in favor of a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe medication to terminally ill people, at the patient's request, to aid in their death.[38]
Marijuana
Kerr supports the legalization of recreational marijuana.[39][40] During the 2018 election, Kerr received an A-plus rating from the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition for his support of legalizing marijuana.[41]
In October 2017, Kerr voted in favor of legislation that would allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identity and provides alternatives for students uncomfortable for any reason.[44]
Transportation
During his 2018 campaign, Kerr said that people should look at the impact that technology such as autonomous vehicles could have before building more lanes on Interstate 270.[45]
Electoral history
Frederick County Board of Education Primary Election, 2014[46]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Non-Partisan
Liz Barrett
16,235
15.3%
Non-Partisan
Brad W. Young
15,830
14.9%
Non-Partisan
Colleen E. Cusimano
13,765
12.9%
Non-Partisan
April Fleming Miller
13,044
12.3%
Non-Partisan
Kenneth Kerr
12,942
12.2%
Non-Partisan
Millicent Hall
10,131
9.5%
Non-Partisan
Mike Ferrell
9,250
8.7%
Non-Partisan
Richard S. Vallaster, III
8,967
8.4%
Non-Partisan
Jonathan C. Carothers
6,270
5.9%
Frederick County Board of Education General Election, 2014[47]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Non-Partisan
Liz Barrett
35,673
15.5%
Non-Partisan
Brad W. Young
32,632
14.2%
Non-Partisan
Colleen E. Cusimano
31,147
13.6%
Non-Partisan
April Fleming Miller
29,700
12.9%
Non-Partisan
Kenneth Kerr
29,657
12.9%
Non-Partisan
Mike Ferrell
26,104
11.4%
Non-Partisan
Millicent Hall
23,984
10.4%
Non-Partisan
Richard S. Vallaster, III
20,470
8.9%
Non-Partisan
Other Write-Ins
422
0.2%
Frederick County Board of Education Primary Election, 2016[48]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Non-Partisan
Joy Schaefer
21,934
17.4%
Non-Partisan
Cindy Rose
18,796
14.9%
Non-Partisan
Michael G. Bunitsky
18,467
14.7%
Non-Partisan
Ken Kerr
17,337
13.8%
Non-Partisan
Shirley A. McDonald
15,270
12.1%
Non-Partisan
Lois Jarman
12,294
9.8%
Non-Partisan
Zakir Bengali
11,117
8.8%
Non-Partisan
Jay Mason
10,791
8.6%
Frederick County Board of Education General Election, 2016[49]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Non-Partisan
Joy Schaefer
65,734
27.6%
Non-Partisan
Ken Kerr
61,172
25.7%
Non-Partisan
Michael G. Bunitsky
59,431
25.0%
Non-Partisan
Cindy Rose
50,157
21.1%
Non-Partisan
Other Write-Ins
1,470
0.6%
Maryland House of Delegates District 3B Democratic Primary Election, 2018[12]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Ken Kerr
2,873
100.0%
Maryland House of Delegates District 3B General Election, 2018[50]