Tony O’Donnell and Jerry Clark
Annapolis, MD – After 22 years representing portions of Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Tony O’Donnell is about to get a new role in state government. Earlier this week Governor Larry Hogan’s office confirmed O’Donnell’s appointment to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). The five-member panel regulates various utilities in the state, including electricity, telephone and water.
“It’s a big honor,” O’Donnell said of the appointment to the PSC. “I didn’t come to this decision lightly. I was looking for a challenge, something fresh.”
O’Donnell told The BayNet that as with any of his major life decisions, such as leaving the U.S. Navy after a long career, he talked it over with his wife, Lori, before accepting Hogan’s offer.
“I view this as a feather in the cap for Southern Maryland,” said O’Donnell, who explained he couldn’t recall the last time the region had representation on the PSC.
The BayNet has spoken with former Calvert County commissioner Jerry Clark. The Lusby resident said he is “100 percent sure” he will be submitting his name to the two counties’ Republican Central Committees regarding the District 29C vacancy.
Clark was first elected county commissioner in 2002, narrowly winning the General Election as a board representative from the county’s First Election District. He served three terms on the board. Clark sought a fourth term in 2014 but was defeated by fellow Republican Mike Hart in the primary.
“It’ll be an interesting process,” said Clark, who praised O’Donnell for his work on behalf of his constituents. “For the last 22 years he served the district tremendously well. He looked out for the citizens and small business.” Clark said if the committees—who will send a recommendation to Hogan for appointment—choose him to replace O’Donnell, “I would look to build on Tony’s tradition.”
When he was first elected to the legislature in 1994, O’Donnell was employed by Baltimore Gas and Electric and worked at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby. O’Donnell served several years as house minority leader in the General Assembly.
When O’Donnell first ran for elective office he touted himself as a “citizen legislator,” telling voters state government needed more average working-class people representing them in Annapolis. After over 20 years in the legislature, O’Donnell conceded “state government is so large and vast—sometimes you need some institutional knowledge.” He admitted he now opposes term limits, viewing total eradication of the experienced elected official as a negative.
O’Donnell told The BayNet he has an individual in mind who he would like to see get the appointment to the vacant house seat but steadfastly declined to reveal who that is. He did advise that his successor should be someone who “is zealously interested in representing the constituents. And don’t be afraid to learn before you start serving.”
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
TBN Note: This story was has been updated to include quotes from Delegate Tony O’Donnell which were not available at the original time of publication.