Charles J. Otto

Otto was born on February 15, 1964, in Salisbury, Maryland. He graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science in 1986.{{cite web|url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa15521.html|title=Charles J. Otto, Maryland State Delegate|website=Msa.maryland.gov|accessdate=18 November 2018}}

Otto is a corn and soybean farmer.{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Michael S. |title=In Md. and Va., drought has dried up crops and spirits |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1993/08/18/in-md-and-va-drought-has-dried-up-crops-and-spirits/a382aba3-d1ea-4c7e-b247-c043a3b6bc14/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=August 18, 1993}} He previously worked as a sales representative and crop consultant for various organizations, including the William B. Tilghman Co. and the Maryland Farm Bureau, from 1987 to 1995.

File:MFRW Red Scarf Day (32208205607).jpg event, 2019]]

Otto was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, succeeding Carolyn J. Elmore, who was appointed to the seat following the death of her husband Page.{{cite news |last1=Knapp |first1=Les |title=Some Victories and Some Losses For County Officials Seeking Other Offices |url=https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2010/11/03/some-victories-and-some-losses-for-county-officials-seeking-other-offices/ |access-date=November 26, 2021 |work=Conduit Street |date=November 3, 2010}} He was sworn in on January 12, 2011. Otto has served in the Environment and Transportation Committee during his entire tenure. He has also worked as the Deputy Minority Whip for the Maryland House Republican Caucus since 2013.

In 2012, Otto said he opposed a bill that would ban arsenic in chicken feed, claiming that arsenic was not "an environmental threat or a human health threat".{{cite news |last1=Fears |first1=Darryl |title=Maryland set to become first state to ban arsenic in chicken feed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/maryland-set-to-become-first-state-to-ban-arsenic-in-chicken-feed/2012/04/09/gIQAyyU16S_story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 9, 2012}} The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that all forms of arsenic are a serious risk to human health.{{cite web |url=https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.highlight/abstract/6015 |title=Biogeochemistry of Arsenic in Contaminated Soils of Superfund Sites |last1=Dibyendu |first1=Sarkar |last2=Datta |first2=Rupali |date=2007 |website=EPA |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |access-date=25 February 2018 }}

In 2014, Otto supported legislation to allow the use of hydraulic dredges to catch clams south of the Verrazano Bridge.{{cite news |last1=Sampson |first1=Mark |title=Clam dredging: Lid needs to stay firmly on this can |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2016/02/28/lid-clam-dredging/81080078/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=February 28, 2016}}

During the 2023 legislative session, Otto introduced legislation to allow hunting on Sundays in Worcester County.{{cite news |last1=Sharpe |first1=Charlene |title=Sunday Hunting Bills Being Considered |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/03/07/sunday-hunting-bills-being-considered/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Maryland Coast Dispatch |date=March 7, 2023}} The bill passed and became law.{{cite news |last1=Cechini |first1=Hannah |title=Eastern Shore lawmakers reflect on 445th Maryland General Assembly session |url=https://www.wmdt.com/2023/04/eastern-shore-lawmakers-reflect-on-445th-maryland-general-assembly-session/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=WMDT |date=April 10, 2023}}

In March 2013, Otto voted against a bill to repeal the death penalty.{{cite news |title=House roll call |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-house-roll-call-death-20130315-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2013}}

Following a string of false bomb threats made against schools and other public facilities across Delmarva in early 2016, Otto introduced legislation that would increase penalties for people who make fake bomb threats.{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Bryan |title=Legislation Eyed To Localize Prosecution Of Bomb Threat To Impacted Jurisdictions |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2016/01/21/legislation-eyed-to-localize-prosecution-of-bomb-threat-to-impacted-jurisdictions/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |work=The Dispatch |date=January 21, 2016}} The bill passed and was signed into law.{{cite news |title=Bomb Threat Prosecution Bill Signed into Md. Law |url=https://www.wboc.com/archive/bomb-threat-prosecution-bill-signed-into-md-law/article_6c0c23ba-699f-5bc0-9c68-a2cfd1c708fc.html |access-date=March 1, 2022 |work=WBOC-FM |date=May 19, 2016}}

Otto supports Maryland's Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides state-funded scholarships to low-income students attending private schools. He also supports the expansion of charter schools.{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Gray |title=Like Senate, Delmarva leaders split on Betsy DeVos |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/2017/02/10/betsy-devos-local-reaction/97659938/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=February 10, 2017}}

During the 2018 legislative session, Otto introduced legislation that would allow residents of Somerset County to qualify for free tuition at Wor–Wic Community College.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Susan |title=Free Wor-Wic tuition: Bills would extend it for Somerset residents |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2018/03/06/free-wor-wic-tuition-bills-would-extend-somerset-residents/378658002/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=March 6, 2018}}

Otto opposes proposals to build a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, supporting legislation in 2018 that would've required turbines to be built 26 miles offshore.{{cite news |last1=Soper |first1=Shawn |title=Wind Farm Bill Mandating Distance Would Kill Projects, Developers Say |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2018/03/08/wind-farm-bill-mandating-distance-kill-projects-developers-say/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Maryland Coastal Dispatch |date=March 8, 2018}} The bill received an unfavorable report in the Environment and Transportation Committee.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Jeremy |title=Ocean City loses bid to push back offshore wind developments |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2018/03/12/ocean-city-loses-bid-push-back-offshore-wind-developments/416541002/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=March 8, 2018}}

In 2014, Otto introduced bills to repeal Maryland's "Rain Tax".{{cite news |last1=Shutt |first1=Jenn |title=Stormwater runoff issue still divides |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2014/01/12/stormwater-runoff-issue-still-divides/4435245/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=January 12, 2014}}

During the 2016 legislative session, Otto signed onto a letter calling on the federal government to ban seismic airgun blasting.{{cite news |last1=Soper |first1=Shawn |title=Officials Partner To Seek Ban On Offshore Seismic Air Gun Testing |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2016/08/11/officials-partner-to-seek-ban-on-offshore-seismic-air-gun-testing/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Maryland Coast Dispatch |date=August 11, 2016}} In January 2017, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it would deny a proposal to allow seismic airgun blasting off the coast of Ocean City.{{cite news |title=Feds Take Seismic Air Gun Testing Off Table |url=https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2017/01/06/feds-take-seismic-air-gun-testing-off-table/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Maryland Coastal Dispatch |date=January 6, 2017}}

In 2019, Otto supported legislation to hold Exelon fiscally responsible for costs associated with Conowingo Dam cleanup projects and implementing the dam's watershed implementation plan.{{cite news |title=Maryland Bill Aimed to Clean Bay After Pollution From Conowingo Dam |url=https://www.wboc.com/news/regional/maryland/maryland-bill-aimed-to-clean-bay-after-pollution-from-conowingo-dam/article_0e00a9cb-6fbf-5eea-8cfd-b4d004dd64cb.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=WBOC-TV |date=February 11, 2019 |language=en}}

During the 2011 legislative session, Otto voted against legislation to increase fees on license plates and official documents to pay for road repair projects.{{cite news |title=How the House voted on fees |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/bs-xpm-2011-04-02-bs-ed-fees-vote-20110402-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 2, 2011}} In March 2013, he voted against legislation to index the state's fuel taxes to inflation.{{cite news |title=House roll call on gas taxes |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-house-roll-call-gas-tax-20130322-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 22, 2013}}

During the 2014 legislative session, Otto voted against a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.{{cite news |title=House approves minimum wage hike |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-house-approves-minimum-wage-hike/7085686 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=WBAL-TV |date=March 7, 2014 |language=en}}

During the 2013 legislative session, Otto voted against the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-of-delegates-voted-on-gun-control-legislation/2013/04/03/31c92cae-9c90-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 3, 2013}} In May 2023, he signed onto a letter calling on Governor Wes Moore to veto the Gun Safety Act, an omnibus gun control bill that increased requirements and fees to obtain a handgun permit, strengthened safe storage requirements, and prohibited carrying guns near certain locations.{{cite news |last1=Curtis |first1=Sean |title=Maryland Republicans Formally Request Moore’s Veto on Gun Safety Act |url=https://www.wboc.com/news/maryland-republicans-formally-request-moore-s-veto-on-gun-safety-act/article_b5382dee-f0f7-11ed-a98b-b32f8f94c61f.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=WBOC-TV |date=May 12, 2023 |language=en}}

Otto supported the legalization of medical marijuana in Maryland, but expressed concerns with the legalization of recreational marijuana.{{cite news |last1=Cechini |first1=Hannah |title=Md. lawmakers weigh gun reform, recreational marijuana in final hours of legislative session |url=https://www.wmdt.com/2023/04/md-lawmakers-weigh-gun-reform-recreational-marijuana-in-final-hours-of-legislative-session/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=WMDT |date=April 10, 2023}}

During the 2012 legislative session, Otto voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.{{cite news |title=How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-roll-call-20120217-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 18, 2012}}

In 2019, Otto introduced legislation requiring Somerset County commissioners to live in the districts they represent. The bill passed unanimously and became law.{{cite news |last1=Gamard |first1=Sarah |title=Should commissioners live in the district they represent? Somerset pushes for requirement |url=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2019/04/05/somerset-maryland-commissioners-carozza-otto-election-district/3310351002/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Delmarvanow |date=April 5, 2019}}

Otto is a member of and treasurer for the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Princess Anne, Maryland.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 38A Republican primary election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/gen_results_2010_1_01638A.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles James Otto

|votes = 1,558

|percentage = 40.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = John K. Phoebus

|votes = 1,185

|percentage = 30.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = John T. Cannon

|votes = 732

|percentage = 19.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Julie D. Brewington

|votes = 384

|percentage = 10.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01638A.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles James Otto

|votes = 8,714

|percentage = 62.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael K. McCready

|votes = 5,293

|percentage = 37.7

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 19

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01638A.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles James Otto (incumbent)

|votes = 7,431

|percentage = 60.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Percy J. Purnell, Jr.

|votes = 4,838

|percentage = 39.4

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 10

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01638A.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles James Otto (incumbent)

|votes = 8,707

|percentage = 59.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kirkland J. Hall, Sr.

|votes = 5,939

|percentage = 40.5

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 20

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_55.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles James Otto (incumbent)

|votes = 10,023

|percentage = 63.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Todd J. Nock

|votes = 5,828

|percentage = 36.7

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 15

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Maryland House of Delegates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Otto, Charles J.}}

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:Farmers from Maryland

Category:Methodists from Maryland

Category:People from Salisbury, Maryland

Category:Virginia Tech alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly