George C. Edwards

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = George C. Edwards

| image = George C. Edwards (2008).jpg

| caption = Edwards in 2008

| state_senate = Maryland

| district = 1st

| term_start = January 10, 2007

| term_end = January 11, 2023

| predecessor = John J. Hafer

| successor = Mike McKay

|office1 = Minority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates

|term_start1 = January 8, 2003

|term_end1 = January 10, 2007

|predecessor1 = Al Redmer

|successor1 = Tony O'Donnell

| state_delegate2 = Maryland

| district2 = 1A

| term_start2 = January 12, 1983

| term_end2 = January 10, 2007

| predecessor2 = DeCorsey E. Bolden

| successor2 = Wendell Beitzel

| birth_name = George Clayton Edwards

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|4|9}}

| birth_place = Grantsville, Maryland, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse =

| residence = Grantsville, Maryland, U.S.

| education = Fairmont 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1970_draft.htm |title=1970 Baltimore Colts Draftees |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} 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.{{Cite news |first1=Danielle E. |last1=Gaines |first2=Bennett |last2=Leckrone |url=https://wtop.com/local-politics-elections-news/2021/07/md-sen-george-c-edwards-says-he-wont-seek-reelection-in-2022/ |title=Md. Sen. George C. Edwards says he won't seek reelection in 2022 |date=July 14, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |work=WTOP-FM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714123119/https://wtop.com/local-politics-elections-news/2021/07/md-sen-george-c-edwards-says-he-wont-seek-reelection-in-2022 |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |url-status=live}}

He is a member of the National Rifle Association, the Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Fraternal Order of Police.{{Cite web |url=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/details/edwards?ys=2019rs |title=Members - Senator George C. Edwards |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208042827/http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/members/details/edwards?ys=2019rs |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}

Legislative record

In 2016, legislation was introduced in the Maryland Senate (SB 361{{Cite web |url=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/legislation/details/sb0361?ys=2016rs |title=Legislation - SB0361 |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly}}) 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.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Western Maryland lawmakers ask West Virginia officials to 'consider adding us' to their state |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/western-maryland-lawmakers-ask-west-virginia-officials-to-e2-80-98consider-adding-us-e2-80-99-to-their-state/ar-AAPNBZz |access-date=October 23, 2021 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 22, 2021 |via=MSN}}{{cite news |last1=Gawel |first1=Anna |title=West Virginia governor would welcome 3 Western Md. counties with 'open arms' |url=https://wtop.com/maryland/2021/10/west-virginia-governor-would-welcome-3-western-md-counties-with-open-arms/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |work=WTOP-FM |date=October 22, 2021 |language=en}} These letters where denounced by the Allegany County Board of Commissioners President Jake Shade (who was also running against one of the lawmakers in the primaries), calling the request a political stunt, an embarrassment and unneeded distraction.{{cite web |title=President Shade Comments, Oct.21, 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting RE Letter to State of WV |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIL5ICP-uVk |language=en |access-date=October 22, 2021 |date=October 21, 2021 |publisher=Allegany County Government |via=YouTube}} Following criticism from local officials and some constituents, Edwards and Delegate Jason Buckel issued a letter withdrawing support for the secession proposal.{{Cite news |title=Edwards, Buckel withdraw support for secession efforts |work=WCBC (AM) |url=https://www.wcbcradio.com/?news=edwards-buckel-withdraw-support-for-secession-efforts |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=October 23, 2021}}

Election results

2006 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 1{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/general/office_State_Senator.html |title=State Senate Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|25,365 \| 72.7% \| Won
{{Party shading/Democratic}} \|Thomas Conlon, Dem. \|9,489 \| 27.2% \| Lost
Other Write-Ins \|19 \| 0.1% \| Lost

class="wikitable"

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

2002 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 1A{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2002/results/g_house_of_delegate.html |title=House of Delegates Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|10,303 \| 99.4% \| Won
Other Write-Ins \|58 \| 0.6% \| Lost

class="wikitable"

Name

!Votes

!Percent

!Outcome

|George C. Edwards, Rep.

|10,303

| 99.4%

| Won

Other Write-Ins

|58

| 0.6%

| Lost

1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 1A{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/1998/results_1998/gahod.html |title=House of Delegates Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|7,999 \| 83% \| Won
{{Party shading/Democratic}} \|Lawson L. Duckworth, Dem. \|1,670 \| 17% \| Lost

class="wikitable"

Name

!Votes

!Percent

!Outcome

|George C. Edwards, Rep.

|7,999

| 83%

| Won

|Lawson L. Duckworth, Dem.

|1,670

| 17%

| Lost

1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 1A{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/1994/results_1994/gahod.html |title=House of Delegates Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|8,155 \| 100% \| Won

class="wikitable"

Name

!Votes

!Percent

!Outcome

|George C. Edwards, Rep.

|8,155

| 100%

| Won

1990 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 1A{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/1990/results_1990/gahod.html |title=House of Delegates Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|5,506 \| 100% \| Won

class="wikitable"

Name

!Votes

!Percent

!Outcome

|George C. Edwards, Rep.

|5,506

| 100%

| Won

1986 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 1A{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/1986/results_1986/gahod.html |title=House of Delegates Results |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=October 7, 2007}}

class="wikitable"
Name !Votes !Percent !Outcome
{{Party shading/Republican}} \|George C. Edwards, Rep. \|5,648 \| 100% \| Won

class="wikitable"

Name

!Votes

!Percent

!Outcome

|George C. Edwards, Rep.

|5,648

| 100%

| Won

=Legislative notes=

Voted against the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154){{cite web |url=http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/votes/house/0942.htm |title=2006 Regular Session - Vote Record 0942 |website=mlis.state.md.us |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=July 14, 2021 |date=March 31, 2006}}
Voted for slots in 2005 (HB1361){{cite web |url=http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/votes/house/0152.htm |title=2005 Regular Session - Vote Record 0152 |website=mlis.state.md.us |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=July 14, 2021 |date=February 25, 2005}}
Voted for electric deregulation in 1999 (HB703){{cite web |url=http://mlis.state.md.us/1999rs/votes/house/0870.htm |title=1999 Regular Session - Vote Record 0870 |website=mlis.state.md.us |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=July 14, 2021 |date=April 2, 1999}}
Voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)[{{cite web |url=http://mlis.state.md.us/1998rs/votes/house/1229.htm |title=1998 Regular Session - Vote Record 1229 |website=mlis.state.md.us |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=July 14, 2021 |date=April 10, 1998}}

References

External links

{{cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/former/html/msa12217.html |title=George C. Edwards, Maryland State Senator |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=July 14, 2021 |date=July 8, 2020}}

Category:1948 births

Category:Frostburg State University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party Maryland state senators

Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:People from Garrett County, Maryland

Category:Fairmont State University alumni

Category:20th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly

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