Chris Tomlinson (politician)
{{Short description|American politician (born 1986)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Chris Tomlinson
| image = Chris Tomlinson 2019.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| state_delegate = Maryland
| district = 5th
| term_start = January 11, 2023
| term_end =
| alongside =
| predecessor = Haven Shoemaker
| successor =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|8|29}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| party = Republican
| spouse =
| children =
| residence = Melrose, Maryland
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Towson University (BSS)
| profession =
| website = [https://tomlinsonfordelegate.com/ Campaign website]
}}
Chris Tomlinson (born August 29, 1986){{cite web |title=Members – Delegate Chris Tomlinson |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/tomlinson01 |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023}} is an American politician who is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 5 in Carroll County, Maryland. He previously served as the third vice chairman of the Maryland Republican Party from 2020 to 2022.{{cite web |title=Maryland Republican Party - State Central Committee |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/40party/html/rep.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701221552/https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/40party/html/rep.html |archive-date=July 1, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Md. GOP Chairman Is Reelected at Weekend State Convention |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/12/13/md-gop-chairman-is-reelected-at-weekend-state-convention/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 13, 2020}}
Background
Tomlinson graduated from North Carroll High School in 2004, and later attended Towson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Social Science degree in electronic media and film in 2009.
Tomlinson first got involved in politics in 2015 when he unsuccessfully ran for the mayor of Manchester, Maryland. His candidacy was challenged by the town's Board of Supervisors of Elections, who denied his certification after arguing that he did not live in the town when he filed to run for mayor. Tomlinson challenged the board's decision, claiming that he had lived in the town since April 2014.{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Wiley |title=Manchester candidate challenges denial of nomination |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-tomlinson-denial-20150413-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=April 13, 2015}} The board reversed its decision a few days later, allowing Tomlinson to run for mayor.{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Wiley |title=Manchester elections board reverses Tomlinson decision |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-tomlinson-hearing-20150417-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=April 17, 2015}} Tomlinson was defeated in the mayoral election by incumbent mayor Ryan Warner, receiving 27.3 percent of the vote.{{cite news |last1=Kelvey |first1=Jon |title=Manchester Mayor Warner wins re-election amid strong voter turnout |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-manchester-town-elections-may-2015-20150519-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=May 19, 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405154511/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2015/05/19/manchester-mayor-warner-wins-re-election-amid-strong-voter-turnout/ |archive-date=April 5, 2024}}
In 2017, Tomlinson began working in the Maryland Transit Administration, eventually becoming a manager in the agency's Office of State Procurement. In November 2017, Tomlinson was appointed to the Carroll County Republican Central Committee.{{cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Emily |title=Tomlinson appointment to Republican Central Committee creates internal conflict |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-central-committee-appoints-tomlinson-20171116-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=November 19, 2017}}
In 2022, Tomlinson filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 5.{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Carroll County Del. Susan Krebs decides not to seek reelection in 2022 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-delegate-susan-krebs-election-20220202-ydwud23lzjgntfoqhy2oixal2q-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=February 2, 2022}} During the primary, he ran on a ticket with state Senator Justin Ready and state Delegate April Rose.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Top 20 House Primaries to Watch |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/06/01/top-20-house-primaries-to-watch/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=June 1, 2022}} Tomlinson won the Republican primary election on July 19, 2022, coming in second place behind Rose.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Carroll County will have several new representatives in the State House next session |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-delegate-race-20220824-7bqqut6efbedzmtgxtefc3varq-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=August 24, 2022}} He ran unopposed in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Angela |title=Tomlinson promises to be pragmatic lawmaker in House of Delegates |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/tomlinson-promises-to-be-pragmatic-lawmaker-in-house-of-delegates/article_2fdc5926-777a-573e-be65-7393918121da.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=September 13, 2022}}
In the legislature
Tomlinson was sworn in on January 11, 2023.{{cite web |title=Christopher L. Tomlinson, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa18382.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=August 5, 2023 |date=January 19, 2023}} He is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Jones announces new Democratic caucus, committee leaders for 2023 General Assembly session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/01/05/jones-announces-new-democratic-caucus-committee-leaders-for-2023-general-assembly-session/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 5, 2023}} Had Trump won Maryland in the 2024 presidential election, Tomlinson would have been an elector pledged to Trump.{{cite web |title=Presidential Electors for the 2024 General Election |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Electors_PG24.pdf |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=November 23, 2024}}
Political positions
Tomlinson supported President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, attending a Trump rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania in December 2019.{{cite news |last1=Blubaugh |first1=Bob |title=At Trump rally in Pennsylvania, Carroll County Republicans get seat upgrades, camera time |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-trump-rally-carroll-bus-20191211-cdcjnezdobcmfc54nwbdxtckbe-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=December 11, 2019}}
During his 2022 House of Delegates campaign, Tomlinson said he planned to introduce legislation in the 2023 legislative session that would improve human resources practices in state government by requiring the fiscal notes of bills to include the number of new employees needed to accomplish the legislation's goals. He also said he supported legislation to limit the powers of the Maryland State Board of Education.
In August 2024, Tomlinson endorsed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a federal bill that would require voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Carroll lawmakers push to pass law requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/08/28/carroll-lawmakers-push-to-pass-law-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-when-registering-to-vote/ |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 28, 2024}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no party no change |title=2015 Manchester mayoral election}}
{{Election box winning candidate no party no change
|candidate = Ryan Warner (incumbent)
|votes = 249
|percentage = 50.7
}}{{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Chris Tomlinson
|votes = 134
|percentage = 27.3
}}{{Election box candidate no party no change
|candidate = Tammy Black
|votes = 108
|percentage = 22.0
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Carroll County Republican Central Committee Election, 2018{{cite web
| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Carroll County
| work = elections.maryland.gov
| publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections
| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_by_county_070.html
| date = July 31, 2018}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Karen Leatherwood
|votes = 6,306
|percentage = 8.2
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Seth Shipley
|votes = 5,985
|percentage = 7.7
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = David L. Brauning, Jr.
|votes = 5,970
|percentage = 7.7
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Justin Mudgett
|votes = 5,051
|percentage = 6.5
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Richard Rothschild
|votes = 4,940
|percentage = 6.4
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Christopher Tomlinson
|votes = 4,642
|percentage = 6.0
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Lawrence W. Helminiak
|votes = 4,540
|percentage = 5.9
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Katherine Adelaide
|votes = 4,450
|percentage = 5.8
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Cathey Allison
|votes = 4,146
|percentage = 5.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = E. Scott Hollenbeck
|votes = 3,907
|percentage = 5.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Fallon E. Patton
|votes = 3,783
|percentage = 4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Christopher R. Weaver
|votes = 3,715
|percentage = 4.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Brandon Matthew Holland
|votes = 3,691
|percentage = 4.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Ryan Finch
|votes = 3,688
|percentage = 4.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = William Harrison
|votes = 3,424
|percentage = 4.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Thom Meads
|votes = 3,357
|percentage = 4.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Frank Elgersma
|votes = 2,342
|percentage = 3.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Robert A. Kurland
|votes = 1,844
|percentage = 2.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Douglas L. Johnston
|votes = 1,494
|percentage = 1.9
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Maryland House of Delegates District 5 Republican Primary Election, 2022{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_7_8.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 4, 2022 |date=August 24, 2022}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = April Rose (incumbent)
|votes = 8,636
|percentage = 22.6
}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Chris Tomlinson
|votes = 6,847
|percentage = 17.9
}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat
|votes = 4,620
|percentage = 12.1
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Sallie B. Taylor
|votes = 4,470
|percentage = 11.7
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Stephen A. Wantz
|votes = 4,373
|percentage = 11.4
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Dennis E. Frazier
|votes = 3,563
|percentage = 9.3
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Scott Willens
|votes = 3,765
|percentage = 9.8
}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Scott Jendrek
|votes = 1,993
|percentage = 5.2
}}{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Maryland House of Delegates District 5 election, 2022{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_8.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=August 5, 2023 |date=December 7, 2022}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = April Rose (incumbent)
|votes = 33,971
|percentage = 33.11
}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Christopher Bouchat
|votes = 33,286
|percentage = 32.44
}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Maryland Republican Party
|candidate = Chris Tomlinson
|votes = 32,485
|percentage = 31.66
}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 2,872
|percentage = 2.80
}}{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |title=Members – Delegate Chris Tomlinson |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/tomlinson01 |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023}}
{{Current members of the MD House of Delegates}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomlinson, Chris}}
Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
Category:Towson University alumni
Category:People from Carroll County, Maryland
Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly