George C. Edwards | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Edwards in 2008 | |
| Member of theMaryland Senate from the1st district | |
| In office January 10, 2007 – January 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Hafer |
| Succeeded by | Mike McKay |
| Minority Leader of theMaryland House of Delegates | |
| In office January 8, 2003 – January 10, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Al Redmer |
| Succeeded by | Tony O'Donnell |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from the1A district | |
| In office January 12, 1983 – January 10, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | DeCorsey E. Bolden |
| Succeeded by | Wendell Beitzel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Clayton Edwards (1948-04-09)April 9, 1948 (age 77) Grantsville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | 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 theMaryland Senate from District 1.
Edwards was elected as the State Senator for Maryland District 1 in 2006, which coversGarrett County and parts ofWashington andAllegany counties. He defeated Thomas Conlon, both of whom ran for the seat vacated byJohn J. Hafer who retired after 16 years in the State Senate.
Edwards attendedNorthern High School inAccident, Maryland. He received hisBachelor of Science in business administration fromFairmont State College, cum laude in 1970. He later attendedFrostburg State University to get his teacher's certificate.
After college, Edwards was drafted by theBaltimore Colts.[1] He served in theNational 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 theMaryland 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 theMaryland Senate since 2007, Edwards announced in July 2021 that he would not seek reelection in 2022.[2]
He is a member of theNational Rifle Association, theLions Club, theAmerican Legion, and theFraternal Order of Police.[3]
In 2016, legislation was introduced in the Maryland Senate (SB 361[4]) that would require the disclosure of fracking chemicals during a liability suit involving harm or injury to persons from gas drilling andfracking 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 ofWestern Maryland to West Virginia.[5][6] 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.[7] Following criticism from local officials and some constituents, Edwards and DelegateJason Buckel issued a letter withdrawing support for the secession proposal.[8]
| 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 |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Edwards, Rep. | 10,303 | 99.4% | Won |
| Other Write-Ins | 58 | 0.6% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Edwards, Rep. | 7,999 | 83% | Won |
| Lawson L. Duckworth, Dem. | 1,670 | 17% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Edwards, Rep. | 8,155 | 100% | Won |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Edwards, Rep. | 5,506 | 100% | Won |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| George C. Edwards, Rep. | 5,648 | 100% | Won |