Zeke Cohen

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Zeke Cohen

Democratic Party

Baltimore City Council President

Tenure

2024 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

0

Predecessor

Nick Mosby

Prior offices

Baltimore City Council District 1

Successor: Mark Parker

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Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Goucher College, 2008

Graduate

Johns Hopkins University, 2012

Personal

Birthplace

Northampton, Mass.

Religion

Judaism

Profession

City council member

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Zeke Cohen (Democratic Party) is the President of the Baltimore City Council in Maryland. He assumed office on December 5, 2024. His current term ends on December 7, 2028.

Cohen (Democratic Party) ran for re-election as President of the Baltimore City Council in Maryland. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Cohen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Zeke Cohen was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor's degree from Goucher College in 2008 and a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a city council member.

Elections

2024

See also: City elections in Baltimore, Maryland (2024)

General election

General election for Baltimore City Council President

Incumbent Zeke Cohen defeated Emmanuel Digman in the general election for Baltimore City Council President on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zeke Cohen (D)	89.0	193,730
		Emmanuel Digman (R)	10.7	23,196
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	866

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 217,792
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Baltimore City Council President

Incumbent Zeke Cohen defeated Shannon Sneed and incumbent Nick Mosby in the Democratic primary for Baltimore City Council President on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zeke Cohen	50.9	46,232
		Shannon Sneed	25.8	23,451
		Nick Mosby	23.3	21,116

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 90,799
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Baltimore City Council President

Emmanuel Digman advanced from the Republican primary for Baltimore City Council President on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Emmanuel Digman	100.0	2,888

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,888
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Cohen in this election.

2020

See also: City elections in Baltimore, Maryland (2020)

General election

General election for Baltimore City Council District 1

Incumbent Zeke Cohen won election in the general election for Baltimore City Council District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zeke Cohen (D)	96.3	17,588
		Other/Write-in votes	3.7	684

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,272
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Baltimore City Council District 1

Incumbent Zeke Cohen defeated Paris Bienert in the Democratic primary for Baltimore City Council District 1 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Zeke Cohen	66.5	6,336
	Submit photo	Paris Bienert	33.5	3,191

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,527
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

Zeke Cohen defeated Matthew McDaniel in the Baltimore City Council election for District 1.

Baltimore City Council Election (2016), District 1, General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zeke Cohen	66.80%	12,548
	Republican	Matthew McDaniel	32.85%	6,170
		Write-in votes	0.36%	67
Total Votes				18,785
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential General Election results for Baltimore City," accessed December 11, 2016

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary of the Baltimore City Council election for District 1.

Baltimore City Council Election (2016), District 1, Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Zeke Cohen	27.34%	2,196
	Democratic	Scott Goldman	20.68%	1,661
	Democratic	Mark Edelson	17.27%	1,387
	Democratic	Mark Parker	16.96%	1,362
	Democratic	Ed Marcinko	10.33%	830
	Democratic	Sean Flanagan	7.43%	597
Total Votes				8,033
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Baltimore City," May 31, 2016

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Zeke Cohen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cohen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Zeke has represented Baltimore’s First District on the City Council since 2016, delivering top-level constituent services while demanding transparency and accountability from city government. Zeke’s team has successfully resolved over 4,900 unique constituent service requests, while passing landmark legislation. Zeke, his wife Reena, and their two children live in the Brewers Hill neighborhood.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Every person in every neighborhood in Baltimore deserves to be safe and feel safe. Addressing trauma and ensuring our residents’ safety is the best way to stabilize and reverse our City’s declining population trend. I am proud to have the endorsement of State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, and I will work closely with the State’s Attorney and the Administration to improve collaboration between law enforcement agencies, make sure we are holding violent offenders accountable, and provide services to individuals in need to prevent crime and protect victims.
• Baltimoreans deserve excellent city services. My office has resolved over 4,900 constituent service requests, and as council president I will continue to deliver results and hold the administration accountable. We must do so by improving systems and growing our workforce. I am currently working to pass the Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act, which would hold DHCD accountable to improve conditions for renters while generating revenue to cover additional inspections. At the height of the pandemic, I advocated for temporary sanitation worker positions to be converted to permanent union jobs. Not only did these workers win a $4/hour raise and benefits, but also we improved the delivery of an essential city service.
• We need better schools and pipelines into union jobs for our young people. As a Councilmember, I have stood with workers and helped unions to win their first contracts. I also partnered with Patterson High School and the Carpenters Union to create a pre-apprenticeship program for students. As Council President, I will secure funding for universal pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds in our city. I will work tirelessly until every school building is safe, comfortable, and suitable for learning – no more schools that look like jails. I will expand restorative practices to every school, so our youth learn from a young age to resolve conflict without resorting to violence. And I will make sure that our youth have real pathways into union jobs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My priorities are public safety; effective city services; safe, affordable housing and inclusive community development; better schools; and workforce development with a focus on union jobs.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Council President is responsible for setting the council’s legislative agenda and for holding the administration accountable. I will also approach the role as a convener and community organizer, as I have approached my role as a councilmember.

I will pursue a bold legislative agenda that focuses on my top priorities: public safety, excellent city services, housing, education, and workforce protection/development.

I will hold the administration accountable to improve systems and deliver excellent city services that our residents deserve. To get big things done, we need to get the little things right – I will work with the administration to create more efficient and effective systems for delivering city services, and I will make sure our city workforce is competitively compensated.

And I will deliver on both legislation and city services through effective community organizing. I partnered with youth to write legislation on trauma-informed care that has received national recognition. When I found out that Patterson Park pool would not be open last summer, I brought together a coalition of neighborhood groups and local businesses to fund and implement a pop-up splash pad, because our youth need recreational opportunities during the summer. When I found out that city schools would not offer programming on Fridays over the summer, I convened over a dozen cultural institutions and started Field Trip Fridays, where hundreds of youth took field trips to the museums and other institutions that distinguish our city. I will continue this approach of building powerful institutions to accomplish big things as Council President.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to work with Baltimoreans to build a Baltimore that is safe, affordable, and full of opportunity. I want our City to be a place where our youth and university students want to stay after they graduate.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

States Attorney Ivan Bates

Comptroller Bill Henry
State Senator Cory McCray
Delegate Robbyn Lewis
Delegate Mark Edelson
Councilmember Ryan Dorsey
Metropolitan Baltimore AFL-CIO
LiUNA
The Baltimore-DC Building Trades
AFSCME
UNITE HERE Local 7
32BJ SEIU
Baltimore Teachers Union
CASA in Action
Bikemore in Action
Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund

Sierra Club

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability have been and will continue to be central to my work. I was proud to pass the Transparency in Lobbying Act, which requires city lobbyists to register in a public database. I am also proud to have the endorsement of Comptroller Bill Henry, who has done so much to improve the transparency and accountability of the Comptroller’s Office.

As council president, I will publish the results of every vote of the council – this does not currently happen, and it reduces the council’s accountability to the public. I will work with the administration to have a portion of the annual budget controlled by participatory budgeting. I will ensure that the next round of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements with nonprofit institutions are negotiated in public in 2026. And I will hold council hearings not just at city hall, but at accessible community spaces like churches, schools, and recreation centers.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Zeke Cohen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Cohen's campaign website listed the following themes for 2016:

“	Zeke believes that Baltimore is on the verge of a major renaissance. Throughout the First District, we can see clear signs of a city on the rise: through recent improvements to Patterson Park and the promenade, as well as our incredible restaurants, amazing museums, and theaters - it is clear we are becoming a truly world-class city. Yet to reach our full potential, we must directly confront the obstacles that continue to hold us back. As a City Councilman, Zeke will work tirelessly on the following issues facing the First District: Expand Access to Early Childhood Education The First District has become home to an increasing number of young families. Yet despite the high property taxes, we are failing to provide these families with adequate early childhood education options. Too many parents face the untenable choice of having to give up their career and stay home with their children or pay unreasonable daycare costs. Research has consistently shown that investing in early childhood education generates significant economic growth. High quality early childhood education programs close the academic achievement gap, reduce incarceration rates and welfare dependency, and dramatically increase academic outcomes across racial and socioeconomic demographics. Zeke will work to increase access to pre-Kindergarten for families in the First District, making staying in and moving to Baltimore an attractive option for families. Annual Audits Baltimore needs to get its fiscal house in order. Despite legislation demanding fiscal and performance audits, the City has continuously delayed and muddled the process. Tax payers have a right to know how our money is being spent. Zeke will demand immediate annual audits of every city agency. As the Executive Director of a non profit, Zeke's organization is audited every year. If he misspends or loses money, he risks losing his 501c3 license. Yet our three billion dollar city budget does not face this level of scrutiny. Zeke will bring fiscal discipline to the City Council, and demand that our money is well-spent and fully accounted for. Create More Job Opportunities Zeke believes that the lack of job opportunities in Baltimore directly spurs crime and social-dysfunction. Yet the rapid growth of development in the First District presents a unique opportunity for local hiring. Zeke will work with partners in the private sector, non-profits, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to make sure residents have the first shot at new job opportunities. Zeke will also focus on improving job options for young people who are at risk of dropping out of school and getting involved in crime if they cannot find work. Last year researchers found that a youth summer jobs program in Chicago reduced violent crime within the sample population by 43%. Zeke will work to strengthen and expand Baltimore’s summer “Youth Works,” and “Hire One Youth” programs. He is currently working with a coalition of community partners to improve hiring and job skills training for young people in Southeast Baltimore. As a City Councilman, he will bring these efforts to scale. Support Small Businesses Zeke believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. The First District is home to vibrant restaurants, boutiques, farmers markets, and more. Yet many of our small businesses are struggling under the weight of excessive taxation and fees. Zeke will work to reduce some of the fees on small businesses and offer incentives to businesses that hire locally. He will also work hard to promote and connect the many small businesses of the first district. Improve Health Outcomes Despite having some of the world's greatest hospitals, Baltimore's population is disturbingly unhealthy. Preventable diseases like heart failure, malnutrition and diabetes lead to shortened life expectancies and increase the financial burden on taxpayers. Zeke will improve health outcomes in the First District by increasing walkability through green space, improving public transit, expanding access to fresh healthy food, and encouraging hospitals like Johns Hopkins Bayview to be better community partners by encouraging preventive health practices. Encourage Community Policing Cities like Boston have made incredible strides in reducing violent crime thanks to their focus on community policing. Yet in Baltimore, too many residents feel estranged from our police. In order to reduce crime and violence within our community, we must rebuild trust between the police, and the citizens they are here to serve. Zeke will encourage positive engagement through increased foot patrols. He will offer opportunities for citizen and police collaboration through “Cop Walks,” “Ride Alongs,” and more public safety meetings. We all have a role to play in keeping our city safe.	”
—Zeke Cohen (2016)

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Nick Mosby (D)	Baltimore City Council President 2024-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Baltimore City Council District 1 2016-2024	Succeeded by Mark Parker (D)