Glenn Ivey

Glenn Ivey
Born	Glenn Frederick Ivey 27 2, 1961
Birthplace	Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Known for	U.S. Representative for Maryland's 4th congressional district; State's Attorney of Prince George's County
Education	Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (JD)
Children	6, including Julian
Website	[glennivey.com Official site]

Glenn Frederick Ivey (born February 27, 1961) is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 4th congressional district since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Ivey previously served as the State's Attorney of Prince George's County, Maryland, from 2003 to 2011, and as chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission from 1998 to 2000. Before entering electoral politics, Ivey built an extensive career on Capitol Hill, working as chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, as counsel to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes during the Whitewater controversy, as chief majority counsel to the Senate Banking Committee, and on the staff of U.S. Representative John Conyers. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney under Eric Holder. In 2022, Ivey won the Democratic primary for the 4th congressional district, defeating former four-term incumbent Donna Edwards, and went on to win the general election in one of the most heavily Democratic districts in the United States. His district, which covers most of the Black-majority areas on the Maryland side of the Washington metropolitan area, is tied with California's 12th congressional district for the most Democratic district in the country, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+40.

Early Life

Glenn Frederick Ivey was born on February 27, 1961, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Details about his parents and upbringing are limited in available public records. A 2004 profile in The Washington Post examined how Ivey's career trajectory was shaped by pivotal decisions early in his life and legal career, noting that specific turning points inspired and enabled his path into public service and law.

Ivey grew up during a period of significant social and political change in the United States, and his experiences as a young Black man in Massachusetts informed his later interest in criminal justice, law, and public policy. He eventually settled in Prince George's County, Maryland, where he would build the core of his political career in one of the wealthiest majority-Black counties in the United States.

Education

Ivey attended Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at Harvard Law School, earning his Juris Doctor (JD). His education at two of the nation's most prestigious institutions positioned him for a career at the highest levels of government and law. Following law school, Ivey pursued opportunities in federal government service on Capitol Hill and in the U.S. Attorney's office, launching what would become a decades-long career spanning legislative counsel work, prosecution, regulatory oversight, and electoral politics.

Career

Early Career on Capitol Hill

Ivey began his professional career in Washington, D.C., working in several prominent roles on Capitol Hill. He served on the staff of U.S. Representative John Conyers of Michigan, one of the longest-serving members of the U.S. House of Representatives and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. This position provided Ivey with early exposure to legislative processes and federal policy.

Ivey later served as counsel to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland during the Whitewater controversy, the investigation into the real estate investments of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. In this role, Ivey worked on one of the most politically charged investigations of the 1990s. He subsequently became chief majority counsel to the Senate Banking Committee, where he played a significant role in guiding the committee's legislative and oversight agenda.

Ivey rose to become chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, one of the most senior advisory positions in the U.S. Senate leadership structure. In this capacity, he advised the majority leader on legal and policy matters and helped shape the Senate Democratic leadership's legislative strategy. A 2000 Washington Post profile described Ivey's experience on the national stage, noting that he had no regrets about his time in these high-profile roles despite their demands.

Assistant U.S. Attorney

In addition to his Capitol Hill work, Ivey served as an assistant U.S. attorney under Eric Holder, who at the time was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia (Holder later became the 82nd Attorney General of the United States). In this role, Ivey was responsible for federal prosecutions in the District of Columbia, gaining significant courtroom and trial experience that would serve him in his later role as Prince George's County State's Attorney. Holder later endorsed Ivey's 2016 congressional campaign, reflecting their long professional relationship.

Chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission

In 1998, Ivey was appointed by Governor Parris Glendening as chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission, a regulatory body responsible for overseeing utilities and energy companies in the state of Maryland. He served in this capacity from March 18, 1998, until October 31, 2000, succeeding Russell Frisby and being succeeded by Catherine Riley. During his tenure, Ivey oversaw the commission during a period of energy deregulation in Maryland, a complex and consequential policy transition.

State's Attorney of Prince George's County

Ivey ran for State's Attorney of Prince George's County in 2002, seeking to succeed Jack B. Johnson, who was departing the office. The race drew multiple experienced lawyers as candidates. Ivey received the endorsement of U.S. Representative Albert Wynn, who cited Ivey's capacity for sophisticated prosecutions as a reason for his support.

In the September 2002 Democratic primary, Ivey emerged as the leading candidate in the State's Attorney race. The Washington Post endorsed him as a primary day pick. He won the primary and subsequently the general election, taking office on January 6, 2003.

As State's Attorney, Ivey outlined a different approach to the administration of justice in Prince George's County. A November 2002 Washington Post profile described his plans to bring changes to the office's priorities and methods. He was reelected for a second term, serving until January 3, 2011. His successor was Angela Alsobrooks, who later became County Executive and then a U.S. Senator from Maryland.

Private Legal Practice

After leaving the State's Attorney's office in January 2011, Ivey entered private legal practice. He joined the law firm Venable LLP, a large Baltimore-based firm with offices in Washington, D.C. A 2013 report by Capital News Service noted that Ivey was among several former Maryland politicians who transitioned to positions at high-powered law firms after leaving public office.

Ivey later joined Price Benowitz LLP, a criminal defense and personal injury firm, where he worked as a partner. He also became a partner at the firm of Ivey & Levetown, a practice that bore his name.

2016 Congressional Campaign

In September 2015, Ivey launched a campaign for Maryland's 4th congressional district, which was then represented by Donna Edwards. Edwards chose not to seek reelection, instead running for the U.S. Senate in 2016. During the campaign, Ivey received the endorsement of former Attorney General Eric Holder, with whom he had worked as an assistant U.S. attorney. Despite this and other endorsements, Ivey did not prevail in the 2016 Democratic primary. The seat was ultimately won by Anthony Brown, the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.

2022 Congressional Campaign and Election

Ivey ran again for the 4th congressional district seat in 2022, after Anthony Brown vacated it to run successfully for Maryland Attorney General. In this race, Ivey faced former Representative Donna Edwards, who sought to reclaim the seat she had held from 2008 to 2017. The campaign attracted significant attention, with polling showing a competitive primary contest between Ivey and Edwards.

The Washington Post endorsed Ivey in the 2022 Democratic primary, citing his qualifications and experience. Ivey won the July 2022 Democratic primary, defeating Edwards and several other candidates. Given the district's overwhelming Democratic lean—a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+40—his primary victory was tantamount to election. He won the November 2022 general election against the Republican nominee and took office on January 3, 2023, succeeding Anthony Brown.

Congressional Tenure

Since taking office in January 2023, Ivey has represented Maryland's 4th congressional district, which encompasses most of the Black-majority communities on the Maryland side of the Washington metropolitan area, including portions of Prince George's County and Anne Arundel County.

In 2026, Ivey has been active on immigration policy, a significant issue for his constituents given the district's proximity to Washington, D.C. In February 2026, Ivey joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks in pressing for answers regarding a proposed ICE facility in Hyattsville, Maryland, which is within his district. He led an "ICE Out" rally in Hyattsville, where community members and elected officials expressed concerns about immigration enforcement practices in their neighborhoods.

Ivey has also proposed stripping the police function from ICE, a position he articulated during a partial government shutdown in February 2026 over a funding standoff in Congress. He spoke publicly about the partial shutdown, the ongoing sewage spill in the Potomac River, and other issues affecting his constituents in an appearance covered by Bloomberg.

Ivey has additionally commented on Maryland Governor Wes Moore's signing of legislation ending 287(g) agreements across the state, which had allowed local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Personal Life

Glenn Ivey resides in Prince George's County, Maryland, which he has called home for much of his adult life. He has six children, including a son named Julian.

Ivey's long tenure in Prince George's County has made him a prominent figure in the community. His career has been closely intertwined with the county's political landscape; his successor as State's Attorney, Angela Alsobrooks, went on to become Prince George's County Executive and subsequently was elected to the U.S. Senate from Maryland, representing the same state alongside Chris Van Hollen.

Recognition

Ivey has received multiple endorsements and public commendations over his career. The Washington Post endorsed him for State's Attorney of Prince George's County in 2002 and again endorsed him for the 4th congressional district in 2022, citing his depth of experience in both prosecution and legislative counsel work. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder endorsed Ivey's 2016 congressional bid, calling attention to their professional history and Ivey's prosecutorial record. U.S. Representative Albert Wynn endorsed Ivey during his initial 2002 State's Attorney campaign, specifically praising Ivey's capacity for conducting sophisticated prosecutions.

His election to represent Maryland's 4th congressional district placed him in a seat covering one of the most politically significant majority-Black districts in the country. According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, the district is tied with California's 12th congressional district as the most Democratic district in the nation, with a rating of D+40.