Christopher B. Shank | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMaryland Senate from the2nd district | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 21, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Donald F. Munson |
| Succeeded by | Andrew A. Serafini |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from the2B district | |
| In office January 13, 1999 – January 12, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Poole |
| Succeeded by | Neil Parrott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1972-06-30)June 30, 1972 (age 53) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University, (B.A.) George Washington University, (M.A.) |
Christopher B. Shank (born June 30, 1972) is an American politician who has served in a variety of roles withinMaryland state government, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Legislative Officer to GovernorLarry Hogan. He has previously served in theMaryland Senate representing the 2nd district inWashington County, including a stint as Senate minoritywhip.
Shank graduated fromSouth Hagerstown High School inHagerstown, Maryland, and later attendedJohns Hopkins University where he received his B.A. (history) in 1994. He graduated aPhi Beta Kappa. He later attained his M.A. (political management) from the Graduate School of Political Management at theGeorge Washington University in 1998. He was the valedictorian and received the Howard Paley Academic Excellence Award.
After college, Shank was a legislative assistant to the Washington County Delegation. He served in this role from 1994 to 1998. Along with being a delegate he is also an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University.
He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Cold Weather Homeless Shelter of Washington County, serving since 1997. He was formerly on the board of directors for the Washington County Chapter of theAmerican Cancer Society.[1] Shank is amember of theAmerican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), serving as Maryland state leader.[2]
In 2008, Shank was given a teaching post in George Washington University's Summer Scholars Program. Shank taught a course on election politics. During the 10-day program he lectured on his experience in campaigning as well as worked with students to simulate a mock campaign.[citation needed]
In January 2010, Shank announced his intention to challenge long-serving state senatorDonald Munson based on charges that Munson was "too liberal."[3] On September 14, 2010, Shank defeated Munson in the Republican primary election, winning the party's nomination. Shank received 57.05% of the vote compared to Munson's 42.05%.[4]
On January 13, 2015, Shank was appointed as director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention and resigned his state senate seat eight days later.[5]
In 2016, Shank was promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff of Maryland.
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher B. Shank, Rep. | 9,606 | 99% | Won |
| Other Write-Ins | 101 | 1.0% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher B. Shank, Rep. | 7,749 | 72.33% | Won |
| David M. Russo | 2,954 | 27.57% | Lost |
| Other Write-Ins | 11 | 0.10% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher B. Shank, Rep. | 4,873 | 51% | Won |
| D. Bruce Poole | 4,626 | 49% | Lost |