Zeke Cohen

Age: 38

Personal: Lives in Southeast Baltimore with his wife, Reena, and their two children

Education: Holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Goucher College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Johns Hopkins University

Experience: Cohen has represented the 1st District on the City Council since he was elected in 2016. Before running for public office, Cohen worked as a middle school teacher in West Baltimore through the organization Teach for America and later founded a nonprofit to teach kids about community organizing and civic leadership.

Endorsements: State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, Comptroller Bill Henry, The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers (AFSCME) Maryland Council 3, Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO, Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades Council, Baltimore Teachers Union, Bikemore

Notable donors: Cohen reported almost $363,000 in the bank at the January filing deadline. Donors who have given him the maximum $6,000 include Ekiben co-owner Ephrem Abebe, T. Rowe Price Group former vice chairman Edward Bernard and wife Ellen Bernard, real estate developer Brandon Chasen of Chasen Companies, former CEO of OM Asset Management Peter Bain and his wife Millicent Bain, and Baltimore Fire Officers Local No. 964. Other notable donors include Canton Port Workers LLC, CSX Transportation.

Read The Baltimore Banner profile of Zeke Cohen.

Questionnaire

Q: City finance officials have predicted that Baltimore could face a budget deficit over the next 10 years of nearly $2 billion. What should the city do to ensure a balanced budget?

Q: What would you do as City Council president to reduce gun violence in Baltimore?

Q: Baltimore’s influx of federal pandemic aid will expire during the next council president’s term. Are there aspects of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act investments that you think should be sustained after the federal money has dried up?

Q: Name a city service (not including the police department) that could be improved. How would you accomplish that?

Q: What should the city do to address the rate of opioid overdoses?

Q: Do you support reducing the size of City Council? Why or why not?

Q: Should the city reduce its property tax rate? How?

Q: Do you support the Harborplace plans as proposed? Please explain your answer.

Q: What steps would you take to increase Baltimore’s affordable housing stock?

Q: Baltimore’s plan for making its roadways more accommodating for bikers and pedestrians has been embraced in some circles and has faced intense opposition in others. Do you support any changes to the city’s Complete Streets policy? If so, describe them.

Q: Do you think there should be changes to the Board of Estimates to balance out the mayor’s majority control? If so, what would you propose?

Q: Why should voters elect you?

Primary Questionaire

Read the candidate’s previous replies to the Baltimore Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Q: City finance officials have predicted that Baltimore could face a budget deficit over the next 10 years of nearly $2 billion. What should the city do to ensure a balanced budget?

Q: As City Council president, how would you view your role in reducing gun violence in Baltimore?

Q: Baltimore’s influx of federal pandemic aid will expire during the next council president’s term. Are there aspects of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act investments that you think should be sustained after the federal money has dried up?

Q: A measure on the November ballot is expected to ask voters to cut the size of the City Council nearly in half. Do you support that proposal? Why or why not?

Q: Do you support Renew Baltimore’s effort to cut property tax rates? Please explain your answer.

Q: Do you support the Harborplace plans as proposed? Please explain your answer.

Q: What steps would you take to increase Baltimore’s affordable housing stock?

Q: Baltimore’s plan for making its roadways more accommodating for bikers and pedestrians has been embraced in some circles and has faced intense opposition in others. Do you support any changes to the city’s Complete Streets policy? If so, describe them.

Q: Do you think there should be changes to the Board of Estimates to balance out the mayor’s majority control? If so, what would you propose?

Q: Why should voters elect you?