Tracy Starr

Tracy Starr earned a high school diploma from E.L. Meyers High School, a bachelor's degree from American University in 2004, and a graduate degree from Norwich University in 2018. Her career experience includes working in government.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tracy Starr is a public servant, humanitarian professional, and advocate for working families who is running for Congress in Maryland’s 5th District. She is not a career politician, but rather, a wife, mother, neighbor, and community advocate. She previously served with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), supporting crisis and disaster response efforts across Africa and helping advance America’s humanitarian leadership abroad. Raised by a hardworking single mother and nurse who taught her the values of compassion, resilience, and service, Tracy has dedicated her life to helping others and standing up for communities too often overlooked by politics. Her experience working at the local, state, and federal levels of government—both in policymaking and implementation—has given her firsthand insight into how government can better serve people. This is what makes her uniquely qualified to lead in this moment. Tracy is running to serve the people of Maryland’s 5th District—not special interests or political insiders—and to bring principled, people-focused leadership to Congress that prioritizes her constituents. In Congress, Tracy will work on making life more affordable, bring accountability back to our government, and develop legislation that improves our infrastructure.

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?

I will work to make life in the district more affordable for everyone. Living here is getting more and more expensive by the day. I am feeling it, we are all feeling it. It is time for someone to step up and drive costs down by working on legislation that has a direct impact on the district. We can lower grocery costs by passing legislation that would prevent price gouging, we could pass legislation that would lower gas prices by stopping the war in Iran. We could increase the minimum wage. All of these are things I will address when elected to Congress.We need proper and better infrastructure in this district to serve the needs of everyone. We are building, building building, but we are forgetting about the strain on infrastructure in that process. In Congress, I will present legislation that directs federal funding to the district to improve our infrastructure and invest in quality engineering and sustainable sources of power in order to feed into these issues appropriately. As a member of Congress, I will also work with the state and local officials to direct the money into these areas with guardrails so that it is being spent on the correct and intended services.I will work to bring accountability back to this office and to Congress. I am a former federal worker, and as such, I understand the need right now to meet the moment and bring accountability back to our Congress. Congress has sat on its hands for too long while the Trump Administration has continued to wreak havoc on our public servants and on our economy. I will develop good, working relationships with my colleagues in Congress and work to bring more accountability in upholding our laws and the constitution. I will ensure that our district is at the forefront of any vote, and I will make sure that my door and phone lines are always open to my constituents. Honoring the will of the people will be my first priority.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about quality and affordable education, protecting our environment, economic opportunity and the ability for every person to live the American dream. Right now, we are being held back from thriving by an Administration that is only looking out for its own good. When I think of policymaking, I think of looking out for the best interests of the American people and my district, not to serve my own self interests. I will pursue public policies that are aligned with the needs and desires of my district. I will do so with honor and with dignity and not fall into a trap of power over smart policy decisions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Sisters of Emerge Maryland 2026 Alumni Class, I was awarded the 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction, and Reproductive Justice Maryland Action.