George C. Edwards
Edwards in 2008
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 10, 2007 – January 11, 2023
Preceded byJohn J. Hafer
Succeeded byMike McKay
Minority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office
January 8, 2003 – January 10, 2007
Preceded byAl Redmer
Succeeded byTony O'Donnell
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 1A district
In office
January 12, 1983 – January 10, 2007
Preceded byDeCorsey E. Bolden
Succeeded byWendell Beitzel
Personal details
Born
George Clayton Edwards

(1948-04-09) April 9, 1948
Grantsville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Grantsville, Maryland, U.S.
EducationFairmont State University (BS)

George Clayton Edwards (born April 9, 1948) is an American politician who previously served as a member of the Maryland Senate from District 1.

Background

Edwards was elected as the State Senator for Maryland District 1 in 2006, which covers Garrett County and parts of Washington and Allegany counties. He defeated Thomas Conlon, both of whom ran for the seat vacated by John J. Hafer who retired after 16 years in the State Senate.

Education

Edwards attended Northern High School in Accident, Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Fairmont State College, cum laude in 1970. He later attended Frostburg State University to get his teacher's certificate.

Career

After college, Edwards was drafted by the Baltimore Colts.[1] He served in the National Guard for six years. He has been active in Garrett County Economic Development Corporation and the Maryland Association of Counties.

Edwards was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1982 and served for 24 years before running and winning the State Senate seat. As a member of the House of Delegates, Edwards was the Minority Leader from 2003 to 2007.

Serving in the Maryland Senate since 2007, Edwards announced in July 2021 that he would not seek reelection in 2022.[2]

He is a member of the National Rifle Association, the Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Fraternal Order of Police.[3]

Legislative record

In 2016, legislation was introduced in the Maryland Senate (SB 361[4]) that would require the disclosure of fracking chemicals during a liability suit involving harm or injury to persons from gas drilling and fracking operations. The bill also required higher insurance coverage for gas companies. Edwards introduced amendments that would reduce the liability insurance requirements and limit chemical disclosure. After several days of public outcry from his district, including letters and emails from more than 350 citizens and businesses, Edwards withdrew the amendments. The final bill passed out of the Senate.

In October 2021, he was one of five Maryland state legislators from Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties who sent a pair of letters to West Virginia officials asking about annexation of Western Maryland to West Virginia.[5][6] These letters caused a local uproar, with Allegany County officials calling the request a political stunt, an embarrassment and unneeded distraction.[7] Following criticism from local officials and some constituents, Edwards and Delegate Jason Buckel issued a letter withdrawing support for the secession proposal.[8]

Election results

  • 2006 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 1[9]
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 25,365   72.7%    Won
Thomas Conlon, Dem. 9,489   27.2%    Lost
Other Write-Ins 19   0.1%    Lost
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 10,303   99.4%    Won
Other Write-Ins 58   0.6%    Lost
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 7,999   83%    Won
Lawson L. Duckworth, Dem. 1,670   17%    Lost
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 8,155   100%    Won
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 5,506   100%    Won
Name Votes Percent Outcome
George C. Edwards, Rep. 5,648   100%    Won

Legislative notes

  • Voted against the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154)[15]
  • Voted for slots in 2005 (HB1361)[16]
  • Voted for electric deregulation in 1999 (HB703)[17]
  • Voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)[[18]

References

  1. ↑ "1970 Baltimore Colts Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ↑ Gaines, Danielle E.; Leckrone, Bennett (July 14, 2021). "Md. Sen. George C. Edwards says he won't seek reelection in 2022". WTOP-FM. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Members - Senator George C. Edwards". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Legislation - SB0361". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly.
  5. ↑ Wood, Pamela (October 22, 2021). "Western Maryland lawmakers ask West Virginia officials to 'consider adding us' to their state". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via MSN.
  6. ↑ Gawel, Anna (October 22, 2021). "West Virginia governor would welcome 3 Western Md. counties with 'open arms'". WTOP-FM. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  7. ↑ "President Shade Comments, Oct.21, 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting RE Letter to State of WV". Allegany County Government. October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ "Edwards, Buckel withdraw support for secession efforts". WCBC (AM). October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ "State Senate Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  10. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  11. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  12. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  13. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  14. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  15. ↑ "2006 Regular Session - Vote Record 0942". mlis.state.md.us. Maryland General Assembly. March 31, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  16. ↑ "2005 Regular Session - Vote Record 0152". mlis.state.md.us. Maryland General Assembly. February 25, 2005. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  17. ↑ "1999 Regular Session - Vote Record 0870". mlis.state.md.us. Maryland General Assembly. April 2, 1999. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  18. ↑ "1998 Regular Session - Vote Record 1229". mlis.state.md.us. Maryland General Assembly. April 10, 1998. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
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