Susan K. McComas
Susan McComas | |
---|---|
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates | |
Assumed office January 8, 2003 | |
Preceded by | David D. Rudolph (35B) Redistricting (34B) |
Constituency | District 35B (2003–2015) District 34B (2015–present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Denver, Colorado, U.S. | April 3, 1951
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Charles McComas III (m. 1979) |
Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University (B.A.) University of Colorado University of Wyoming College of Law |
Susan K. McComas (born April 3, 1951) is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2002, first representing District 35B from 2003 to 2015 and then District 34B since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served on the Bel Air Town Commission from 1987 to 2002, and thrice served as the town's mayor.
Early life and educaiton
McComas was born in
Career
McComas has worked as an attorney in private practice since her graduation from the University of Wyoming, only briefly working in the Law Offices of Bruce J. Gilbert from 1984 to 1985. She was also a member of the board of directors of the Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center from 1982 to 1989.[1]
McComas first became involved with politics as a file clerk for the Wyoming House of Representatives, after which she worked as a legal intern for the Wyoming Department of Health and for Albany County, Wyoming, and as a researcher for the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives. From 1983 to 1985, she worked as a commissioner for the Harford County District Court,[1] afterwards unsuccessfully running for the Bel Air Town Commission.[2] Following her defeat, McComas applied to serve on the Bel Air Town Historic District Commission.[4] She ran again and won election to the Town Commission again in 1987,[5][6] where she served until her election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002.[1] McComas thrice served as the town's mayor from 1991 to 1992, from 1997 to 1998, and from 1999 to 2000.[1][3] She was succeeded by Joan Morrissey Ward.[7]
In January 1990, following the resignation of John W. Hardwicke from the Harford County Council, McComas applied to serve the remainder of his term. The Harford County Republican Central Committee voted to nominate her, Barry Glassman, and Jeffrey Wilson to the seat.[8] The Harford County Council voted to appoint Wilson to the seat later that month.[9]
From 1998 to 2002, McComas was a member of the Harford County Republican Central Committee.[1]
Maryland House of Delegates
In April 2002, McComas filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 35B, which had no incumbent following redistricting.[10] She ran on a platform involving transportation, crime, and development issues, and faced challengers Robert Shaffner and Francis Eurice in the Republican primary election,[11][12] which she won with 50.1 percent of the vote. In the general election, McComas faced Bel Air town commissioner David E. Carey,[13] whom she defeated with 61.4 percent of the vote.[14] She was sworn in on January 8, 2003. She was a member of the Judiciary Committee from 2003 to 2023, afterwards serving on the Appropriations Committee. McComas has also served as deputy minority whip from 2015 to 2018, and since 2023.[1]
McComas is a member of the Harford County Delegation.
Personal life
McComas married to her husband, Charles Henry McComas III, whom she met while attending Johns Hopkins, in 1979.
In January 2010, McComas suffered a heart attack while visiting her mother, who passed away a few hours after the incident, in Wyoming. She recovered from the heart attack after having two stents put in.[21]
Political positions
Development initiatives
During her 1985 Bel Air Town Commissioner campaign, McComas said that she supported proposals to control the town's suburban growth, including annexation, warning of its "Towsonization".[22][23] In 1987, she said she supported preserving the town's historical and architectural past, but conceded that preservation needed to be done with citizen cooperation.[24] In 1995, McComas said that she opposed "any growth or development" that would increase tax burdens and demand for government services.[25]
In January 2015, McComas supported efforts to block the construction of a Walmart in Bel Air.[26]
Education
In February 2021, during debate on a bill to stagger of elected Harford County school board members' terms, McComas supported an amendment to create a fully-elected school board in the county.[27] The amendment failed in a 4-4 tie.[28]
In February 2022, McComas opposed a bill to repeal a law that allowed police to arrest children for disturbing school activities. During debate on the bill in the House, she remarked that "I've been accused of
During the 2023 legislative session, McComas supported the SERVE Act, a bill introduced by Governor Wes Moore to establish a service year option for high school graduates.[31]
Electoral reform
In November 2000, McComas said she opposed Question A, a Harford County referendum to establish in-district elections of county councilmembers, saying that it would "pit one side of the county against another".[32]
In June 2002, McComas celebrated the
Fiscal issues
In the legislature, McComas has voted against bills to raise the state minimum wage, which she says hurt small businesses.[35][36] She opposes any increases to taxes or fees.[37][38]
In March 1988, McComas said she opposed a state bill to lower the county's theater admission tax from ten percent to five percent, saying that the county would have to raise property taxes by two cents to make up for the lost revenue.[39] Later that year, she proposed imposing a five percent tax on videotape rentals to make up for the lost revenue.[40] In January 1992, McComas opposed a proposal by Harford County Executive Eileen M. Rehrmann to impose a $35 fee per ton of non-recyclable garbage dumped at county waste facilities, saying that the fee would force Bel Air to raise taxes.[41] After the fee was passed, she said that the town would refuse to pay it.[42] In May 1993, McComas said she opposed cutting the town's early filer tax discount.[43] Later that month, she voted to half the tax discount to one percent, saying that it was "hard to swallow" but preferred it to raising taxes.[44]
During the 2004 legislative session, McComas voted against a bill to raise $670 million in sales and income tax increases.[45]
Gun policy
During the 2013 legislative session, McComas voted against the Firearm Safety Act, which banned semi-automatic rifles and required people buying any gun other than a hunting rifle or shotgun to obtain a license.[46] In 2016, she attended a Second Amendment protection rally at the Maryland State House.[47] In 2017, McComas introduced legislation to allow for bulk gun permit renewals and to prohibit law enforcement from collecting "certain captured data" from vehicles leaving gun shows without a warrant.[34] In 2019, she supported the Parishioner Protection Act, a bill that would allow churchgoers to carry firearms.[48] In 2022, McComas questioned the effectiveness of a bill to ban privately made firearms in Maryland.[49]
Policing
During her 1985 Bel Air Town Commissioner campaign, McComas said that she supported increasing police salaries and hiring a full-time psychologist to help with police retention.[50] In 1987, she said that she opposed a county law to reimburse towns for police training, suggesting that cadets in the Bel Air Police Academy should "pay for their education" like workers in other professions.[51]
In 2005, McComas introduced legislation that would allow town police officers to cross jurisdictional borders to pursue drunk or reckless drivers.[52]
In October 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, McComas said that she did not support banning police chokeholds, saying that the idea gave her "heartburn" and preferring instead to discourage their use.[53]
Social issues
During the 2005 legislative session, McComas introduced legislation to ban egg donation for
In April 2010, McComas voted against an
In 2013, McComas opposed a bill to repeal the death penalty in Maryland, saying that it would make people feel less safe.[58]
During the 2016 legislative session, McComas opposed a bill to abolish the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, saying that she was "skeptical it would do any good". She was criticized by sexual abuse survivors for her response to an email from University of Maryland biotech researcher John Plaschke, who had emailed McComas asking her to support the bill, in which she wrote: "I hope that you have sought treatment and have moved beyond the abuse. It is very much about your personal resilience to live and thrive."[59]
In 2017, McComas supported legislation to establish statewide police standards on the handling of rape kits.[60]
During the 2019 legislative session, McComas voted against a bill to decriminalize attempted suicide, arguing that it would discourage police from preventing people from committing suicide.[61]
Transportation
During her 1985 Bel Air Town Commissioner campaign, McComas said that she supported making Bel Air more pedestrian friendly and using
In 1998, McComas proposed constructing overhead walkways across Maryland Route 24 and U.S. Route 1 to connect pedestrians to the nearby Harford Mall.[63] In May 2002, she voted against a proposal to expand Maryland Route 22 through Howard Park, saying that it would be unfair to the residents of the area.[64]
Electoral history
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Phil Raub | 481 | 20.0 | |
Pat Goles | 445 | 18.5 | |
Chuck Robbins | 318 | 13.2 | |
Bill Elkin | 271 | 11.2 | |
Wayne Kirkman | 201 | 8.3 | |
Jack Cochran | 175 | 7.3 | |
Susan McComas | 155 | 6.4 | |
Henry Peden | 127 | 5.3 | |
John Kunkel | 122 | 5.1 | |
Joan Bates | 116 | 4.8 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Geoffrey R. Close | 325 | 26.9 | |
Susan McComas | 262 | 21.7 | |
J. Vaughan McMahan | 252 | 20.8 | |
Irene A. Getz | 168 | 13.9 | |
William L. Cundiff | 74 | 6.1 | |
Estelle S. Bolton | 65 | 5.4 | |
Frederick L. Rush Jr. | 53 | 4.4 | |
Mark A. Ferragamo | 10 | 0.8 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Susan McComas (incumbent) | 385 | 33.4 | |
Eugene Graybeal | 348 | 30.2 | |
Joseph Meadows | 235 | 20.4 | |
Madeleine W. Grant | 99 | 8.6 | |
Felix Tarasco | 46 | 4.0 | |
Donald J. Arnold | 30 | 2.6 | |
Janet A. Thomas | 11 | 1.0 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Steve Burdette (incumbent) | 454 | 17.4 | |
Susan McComas (incumbent) | 432 | 16.5 | |
Mara Pais | 342 | 13.1 | |
David Carey | 340 | 13.0 | |
Robert Cassilly | 282 | 10.8 | |
Daniel Rozmiarek | 255 | 9.8 | |
Robert Greene | 245 | 9.4 | |
Mary Harkins-White | 107 | 4.1 | |
Arthur Coates Jr. | 80 | 3.1 | |
Terry Wolfe | 45 | 1.7 | |
Thomas Woelper | 29 | 1.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan McComas | 8,024 | 9.9 | |
Republican | Howard McComas IV | 7,648 | 9.5 | |
Republican | Habern D. Freeman | 6,340 | 7.8 | |
Republican | Lois Nagle | 6,263 | 7.7 | |
Republican | Karen Thompson | 5,798 | 7.2 | |
Republican | Joseph Price | 5,723 | 7.1 | |
Republican | James Kohl Jr. | 5,488 | 6.8 | |
Republican | Sandra Zubrowski | 5,290 | 6.5 | |
Republican | Carol MacCubbin | 5,110 | 6.3 | |
Republican | Glenn Brown | 5,084 | 6.3 | |
Republican | A. Blythe Corkran | 4,965 | 6.1 | |
Republican | Donald Stifler | 4,887 | 6.0 | |
Republican | Richard Morris Jr. | 4,292 | 5.3 | |
Republican | Thomas Ohlendorf | 3,354 | 4.1 | |
Republican | Lachelle Beazley-Stark | 2,625 | 3.2 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Susan McComas (incumbent) | 451 | 25.6 | |
James Decker | 288 | 16.3 | |
Maureen L. Rowland (incumbent) | 275 | 15.6 | |
Tania Benfield | 231 | 13.1 | |
Janet Thomas | 201 | 11.4 | |
Lloyd Parker | 160 | 9.1 | |
Shelley Dolan | 159 | 9.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas | 1,902 | 50.1 | |
Republican | Robert E. Shaffner | 1,725 | 45.4 | |
Republican | Francis J. Eurice | 171 | 4.5 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas | 10,273 | 61.4 | |
Democratic | David E. Carey | 6,444 | 38.5 | |
Write-in | 12 | 0.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas (incumbent) | 10,922 | 62.5 | |
Democratic | David Carey | 6,536 | 37.4 | |
Write-in | 9 | 0.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas (incumbent) | 12,817 | 72.3 | |
Democratic | John Janowich | 4,884 | 27.6 | |
Write-in | 24 | 0.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas (incumbent) | 11,801 | 72.7 | |
Democratic | Cassandra R. Beverley | 4,419 | 27.2 | |
Write-in | 20 | 0.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas (incumbent) | 12,533 | 65.0 | |
Democratic | Jeff Dinger | 6,706 | 34.8 | |
Write-in | 57 | 0.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Susan K. McComas (incumbent) | 11,094 | 60.8 | |
Democratic | Gillian A. Miller | 7,111 | 39.0 | |
Write-in | 44 | 0.2 |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Susan K. McComas, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Lawyer Susan McComas is ninth candidate to file". The Aegis. February 14, 1985. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ a b Surkiewicz, Joe (April 3, 1991). "Mayoral blood flows in veins of McComas". The Aegis. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Morrison, Don (October 3, 1985). "Mayor rebuffed in attempt to give ally an appointment". The Aegis. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Delegation Dispute Over Receptionist Could Lead To Power Play For Chairmanship". The Dagger. September 26, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Nitkin, David (February 5, 2009). "Harford County delegation coup". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Goodman, Brian (February 3, 2009). "Delegation Leadership Shake-Up: McComas/Impallaria Lose Chairmanship Roles To Jennings/Norman". The Dagger. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Goodman, Brian (February 5, 2009). "Musical Chairs: McComas/Impallaria Strike Back With Ethics Complaint And Rules Violation Claim". The Dagger. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Goodman, Brian (April 30, 2009). "Fight Club: McComas/Impallaria/McDonough Demand Jennings/Norman Give Up Delegation Leadership". The Dagger. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Goodman, Brian (January 7, 2010). "Del. McComas Suffers Heart Attack While Visiting Family In Wyoming". The Dagger. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Zumer, Bryna (May 1, 2015). "Bel Air South residents make presence felt at anti-Walmart information meeting". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Carter, S. Wayne Jr. (February 9, 2021). "Harford lawmakers may amend House bill to create fully elected school board". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Carter, S. Wayne Jr. (February 18, 2021). "Harford delegation's effort to create all-elected school board fails, but county senators offer their own version". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. February 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Maryland House introduces bill establishing program allowing youths to participate in a year of service". The Baltimore Sun. February 6, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Anderson, David (January 18, 2017). "End to 'road-kill bill' remains top priority for most, but not all, Harford legislators in 2017 session". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (March 7, 2014). "How the Maryland House voted on legislation to raise the state's minimum wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Harford County's key takeaways from the 2019 legislative session". The Baltimore Sun. April 9, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Zumer, Bryna (August 26, 2011). "Harford delegates and senators brush off O'Malley's hint of tax increases". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "House OKs tax plan, narrowly". The Baltimore Sun. March 26, 2004. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "House roll call on gun control". The Baltimore Sun. April 3, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Gun rights advocates, lawmakers hold rally in Annapolis". Daily Record. February 2, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, David (February 12, 2019). "Harford Del. Szeliga reintroduces bill to allow parishioners to carry guns". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Lash, Steve (February 9, 2022). "Frosh urges House ban on ghost guns; foes cite Second Amendment". Daily Record. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lawmakers OK several bills on Harford agenda". The Baltimore Sun. April 17, 2005. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Pamela (October 8, 2020). "Maryland lawmakers recommend some policing changes, but hold off on toughest proposals". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Bills to limit in vitro egg donation stall in both chambers". Daily Record. March 27, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Morgan, Jeff (March 16, 2023). "Republicans introduce two bills adding requirements to abortions". WMAR-TV. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Md. impeachment effort rejected". The Baltimore Sun. April 1, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Sun, Baltimore (February 18, 2012). "How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Maldonado, Julia (March 12, 2013). "Delegates to Offer Amendments Despite Momentum of Death Penalty Repeal". Capital News Service. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Dvorak, Petula (April 7, 2016). "A Maryland lawmaker raped as a child can't get his bill for sex assault survivors passed". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Knezevich, Alison; Rentz, Catherine (December 9, 2016). "Maryland lawmakers call for uniform police standards on rape kits". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Lash, Steve (February 23, 2019). "House passes bill decriminalizing attempted suicide". Daily Record. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Lane Harvey (October 27, 2002). "Education funding, budget deficit top Harford concerns". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 35B". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "2014 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2022 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2023.