Jason C. Gallion
Gallion in 2019
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 35th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byLinda Norman
Personal details
Born
Jason Charles Gallion

(1977-02-10) February 10, 1977
Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarried
Children4
Residence(s)Level, Maryland, U.S.[1]
EducationHavre de Grace High School
Alma materHarford Community College (A.A)
OccupationFarmer
Signature

Jason Charles Gallion (born February 10, 1977) is a Republican member of the Maryland Senate from the 35th district in Cecil County and Harford County.[2]

Early life and career

Gallion was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland on February 10, 1977,[2] where he graduated from Havre de Grace High School in 1995. He grew up helping his father, who worked for the State Highway Administration, raise beef cattle at home. He also worked as a teen at the dairy farms owned by his uncle, Nolan Gallion Sr., and the Hopkins family.[1] He attended Harford Community College, where he earned a A.A. degree in political science in 1997. After graduating, he became a farmer, producing dairy from 1999 to 2004 and beef cattle and hay from 2004 onward.[2]

Gallion got his first glimpse of politics at 13 years old, when he volunteered for Barry Glassman's first council race in Harford County. In 2016, he joined Glassman's administration as a part-time agricultural specialist in the Harford County Department of Governmental and Community Relations.[3] Gallion also serves on the county's Economic Development Agricultural Advisory Board and is the liaison from the county's executive office to the Harford County Farm Bureau.[1]

In 2006, Gallion unsuccessfully ran for the Harford County Council in District D, finishing second to Chad Shrodes in the Republican primary.[4]

In 2007, Gallion applied to succeed delegate Barry Glassman, who had been appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Senate following the resignation of senator J. Robert Hooper, in the Maryland House of Delegates.[4] The Harford County Republican Central Committee voted unanimously to appoint attorney Howard Wayne Norman, Jr. to the House of Delegates.[5] In 2010, Gallion ran an unsuccessful campaign for District 35A of the Maryland House of Delegates, running on a ticket alongside Dave Tritt and seeking to unseat Norman.[6]

In 2011, Gallion served on the Harford County Council Redistricting Commission.[2]

In 2014, Gallion again ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 35B, seeking to succeed retiring delegate Donna Stifler and delegate Wayne Norman, who sought election to the Maryland Senate.[7] During the primary, he received the endorsement of the Maryland Farm Bureau PAC, the NRA Political Victory Fund,[8] and the Cecil County Republican Club.[9] He finished third in the three-way Republican primary,[10] winning the majority of Cecil County.[11]

In March 2018, following the unexpected passing of senator Wayne Norman, the Harford County Republican Central Committee tapped Gallion to succeed Norman on the primary election ballot.[11] while Linda Norman, the late senator's wife, filled the remainder of his term in the Maryland Senate.[12] In the months following his nomination, the central committee considered some political maneuvering that would allow delegate Teresa Reilly to run for state senate instead of re-election to the House of Delegates.[13] Days before the Cecil County committee was scheduled to discuss supporting ballot realignment if both candidates declined the nomination, Gallion sent a letter to local GOP leaders that declared his intent to stay in the senate race. Consequentially, the Cecil County committee unanimously voted to table the possibility of ballot realignment.[14] He defeated Independent candidate Frank Esposito and Libertarian Christopher Randers-Pehrson in the general election, receiving 67.6 percent of the vote.[15]

In the legislature

Gallion was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019.[2]

Committee assignments

  • Member, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2019–present (environment subcommittee, 2019–present; health subcommittee, 2019–present)
  • Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 2019
  • Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Work Group, 2020–present

Political positions

Agriculture

The first bill that Gallion introduced in the Maryland Senate was a bill that would allow farm equipment to travel on highways within a 25-mile radius of a farm.[16] He also introduced legislation that would ban the sale of plant-based beverages under the "milk" label under the pretext that eleven other southern states adopt similar legislation by 2029.[17] Both bills passed and were signed by Governor Larry Hogan in April 2019.[18][19]

Gallion introduced legislation during the 2020 legislative session that would ban the sale of foods made of animal tissues cultured from cells outside of the original animal, plants, and insects under the "meat" label.[20] The bill received an unfavorable report by the Maryland Senate Finance Committee.[21]

Drugs

Gallion, having lost a loved one to the opioid epidemic, says that he supports increased drug prevention in schools to prevent more people from turning to opioids.[3]

Economy

In 2019, Gallion was the only senator to receive a score of 100 percent on the Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation's annual scorecard.[22]

Education

During a debate on the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reform plan in March 2020, Gallion introduced an amendment that would have reduced the number of teaching scholarships by $16 million and reduce the expansion of the state's Judy Center network of early education hubs by $12 million. The amendment was rejected in a party-line vote.[23]

Gallion introduced legislation during the 2021 legislative session that would move appointing authority for the Harford County school board from the governor to the county executive, with input from the county council.[24]

Elections

During a debate on legislation that would ban people from simultaneously running for elected public offices and political party offices and from holding both offices at the same time, Gallion proposed amending the bill to allow an individual to run for both offices at the same time so long as they can't simultaneously hold both offices.[25]

Gallion introduced legislation alongside senators Justin Ready and Bryan Simonaire during the 2021 legislative session that would require voters to show some form of identification before casting a ballot. He also sponsored legislation that would require people that deliver mail-in ballots to be a family member or part of the immediate household of the voter and ban campaign volunteers or candidates from delivering mail-in ballots for another vote. Additionally, Gallion said that he would sponsor legislation that would increase penalties for voter fraud, including a four-year loss of voting rights.[26]

In March 2021, Gallion opposed legislation that would expand the number of early voting centers in Maryland and permanently expand mail-in voting, worrying that the state might be putting an "extra burden" on local governments.[27]

Environment

In October 2019, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters gave Gallion a score of 20 percent, the lowest score in the Maryland Senate and tying him with senator Jack Bailey.[28]

During debate on an omnibus climate action bill (the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2021), Gallion introduced an amendment that would push back the bill's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 instead of 2045.[29] He also worried that the bill's tree planting program would create habitat for deer in agricultural buffer zones.[30]

Gallion said that he would rather have the issue of community solar versus commercial solar stay in the hands of each county instead of the Maryland Public Service Commission.[31]

Guns

Gallion, who describes himself as a Second Amendment advocate, has said that he is "leery" about red flag gun laws because he does not want to restrict rights for law-abiding citizens.[3]

Gallion introduced legislation during the 2019 legislative sessions that allows Harford County farmers to use rifles and shotguns to rid their properties of animals that damage crops.[1] The bill passed and was signed by Governor Hogan on April 18, 2019.[32]

During the 2021 legislative session, Gallion defended an amendment introduced by senator Jack Bailey that would exempt law enforcement officers, off-duty officers, or retired officers from legislation that prevents people from carrying guns in or near a polling place, arguing that having an armed law enforcement officer on hand could help quell a disturbance at a polling place if one arose.[33]

Marijuana

Gallion opposes legalizing recreational marijuana, preferring to wait and see what comes from states like Colorado as test cases. However, he has expressed interest in looking into how farmers could get involved in industrial hemp for medicinal use.[3]

Redistricting

In 2019, Gallion cosponsored legislation introduced by Governor Hogan that would create an independent redistricting commission to draw Maryland's congressional and legislative district maps.[34]

Gallion intended on introducing an amendment to the state's legislative redistricting plan to stop the use of hybrid districts, replacing those districts with three single-member delegate subdistricts. However, the amendment was still being drafted on the day of the vote and the Maryland Senate rejected his request to delay the resolution.[35]

Social issues

In 2014, Gallion signed a petition to overturn Maryland's "bathroom bill", which allows a person undergoing gender re-assignment surgery or a person with gender dysphoria, to use the restroom of their choice.[9]

Electoral history

Harford County Councilmanic District D Republican Primary Election, 2006[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chad Shrodes 1,950 47.35%
Republican Jason C. Gallion 1,113 27.03%
Republican Amy Hopkins Daney 664 16.12%
Republican Doug Howard 277 6.73%
Republican Charlie W. Burns 114 2.77%
Maryland House of Delegates District 35A Republican Primary Election, 2010[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donna Stifler 5,406 28.8%
Republican Wayne Norman 4,849 25.8%
Republican Jason C. Gallion 3,958 21.1%
Republican Dave Tritt 2,716 14.5%
Republican Dave Seman 1,843 9.8%
Maryland House of Delegates District 35B Republican Primary Election, 2014[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew Cassilly 3,866 34.3%
Republican Teresa Reilly 3,782 33.5%
Republican Jason Gallion 3,634 32.2%
Maryland Senate District 35 Republican Primary Election, 2018[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason C. Gallion 8,064 100%
Maryland Senate District 35 General Election, 2018[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason C. Gallion 33,813 67.3%
Unaffiliated Frank Esposito 10,600 21.1%
Libertarian Christopher Randers-Pehrson 5,632 11.2%

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Anderson, David (January 10, 2020). "State Sen. Jason Gallion, a full-time farmer in Harford County, considers himself a 'throwback'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jason C. Gallion, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Tabeling, Katie (November 2, 2018). "Md. Senate 35: Jason Gallion (R)". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Goodman, Brian (December 16, 2007). "Calling All Candidates: 8 Vie for Harford's District 35A Seat in House of Delegates". The Dagger. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  5. ↑ Goodman, Brian (December 22, 2007). "An Early Christmas for Howard Wayne Norman, Jr. – Harford's Newest Delegate". The Dagger. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ Gerick, Brad (September 14, 2010). "Candidates Go Bumper to Bumper in District 35A Fight". Bel Air, MD Patch. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ Anderson, David (June 20, 2014). "Republicans battle for legislative seats in Harford, Cecil District 35". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  8. ↑ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Maryland". nrapvf.org. NRA Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. 1 2 Bellmyer, Jane (June 13, 2014). "DISTRICT 35B: Gallion aims to represent farmers, small business". Cecil Whig. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  10. ↑ Anderson, David (June 25, 2014). "Norman takes GOP Senate nomination in Harford-Cecil District 35". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Owens, Jacob (March 6, 2018). "GOP taps Sen. Norman's electoral successor". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  12. ↑ Anderson, David (March 12, 2018). "Linda Norman nominated to fill remainder of late husband's State Senate term". The Baltimore Sun. The Aegis. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  13. ↑ Zorzi, William F. (March 6, 2018). "Sen. Norman's Death Sparks Last-Minute GOP Maneuvering". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ Tabeling, Katie (June 14, 2018). "Gallion ends GOP debate over race for Norman's seat". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ Tabeling, Katie (November 6, 2018). "Gallion claims District 35 senate seat". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ Tabeling, Katie (February 12, 2019). "Farmers, legislators talk about balancing preservation, business". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ Hogan, Samantha (March 21, 2019). "Political Notes: Dairy compact would ban labeling soy and almonds as 'milk'". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Legislation - SB0133". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  19. ↑ Mercer, Marsha (March 8, 2020). "Dairy farmers tell plant-based competitors to stop using 'milk'". The Daily Item. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Maryland Bill Would Restrict What Foods Can Be Labeled 'Meat'". The Chestertown Spy. Capital News Service. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  21. ↑ Himes, Hannah (February 18, 2020). "Meat labeling bill not moving forward; updates on other ag bills". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  22. ↑ Kurtz, Josh (June 5, 2019). "Md. Business Group Rebrands, Highlights Polarization in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  23. ↑ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 12, 2020). "Senate Panels Approve Education Reform Bill With A Potential Off-Ramp After Five Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ Carter Jr., S. Wayne (March 4, 2021). "Senate education committee hears Harford bill to give school board appointment authority to county exec". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  25. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett; Olson, Laura (March 26, 2021). "House Election Bills Start Moving in Md. Senate, as Biden Blasts Laws Limiting Voting Access". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  26. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (February 4, 2021). "Senate Republicans Announce Voter ID, Signature Verification Bills". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  27. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (March 26, 2021). "Senate Panel Gives Nod to Expansion of Early Voting Centers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  28. ↑ Kurtz, Josh (October 3, 2019). "Md. Environmental Scorecard Finds a Lot to Like". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  29. ↑ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 23, 2021). "Sweeping Climate Bill Passes Senate Committee After Four Voting Sessions". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  30. ↑ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 12, 2021). "Ambitious Climate Bill Voted Out of Maryland Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  31. ↑ Bellmyer, Jane (February 1, 2022). "Legislators vow to fight for Cecil County's farmers at Cecil County Young Farmers' Legislative Breakfast". Cecil Whig. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Legislation - SB0923". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  33. ↑ Kurtz, Josh; Shwe, Elizabeth (March 4, 2021). "Bills on Digital Tax, Guns at Polling Places Move to Final Senate Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  34. ↑ Anderson, David (January 17, 2019). "'Everybody's excited': Harford's three freshmen legislators reflect on first week in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  35. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (January 19, 2022). "Republican Amendments to Legislative Redistricting Proposal Rejected in Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Election Summary Report - Gubernatorial Primary Election - State of Maryland, Harford County" (PDF). harfordvotes.info. Harford County Board of Education. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
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