After moving to Montgomery County in 1960, Kramer became active in the local parent-teacher association, as well as the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Citizens Planning Association. From 1965 to 1966, he served on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. Kramer was elected to the
Maryland Senate in 1978, and he served as Chairperson of the Montgomery County Delegation for eight years. He returned to the County in 1986 and defeated then-County Council Member David Scull in the election to become Montgomery County's third County Executive. During his tenure as county executive, Kramer oversaw the increase in funding for programs helping residents with developmental disabilities, which was previously within the purview of
state government. His leadership was characterized as a "relatively low-key, businesslike administration". ==Personal life==