Jefferson L. Ghrist
Jefferson L. Ghrist (born March 14, 1975) is an American politician. He is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 36, based in Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, and Cecil Counties, Maryland, since 2015.[1]
Jefferson L. Ghrist | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 36th district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Michael D. Smigiel Sr. |
| President of the Caroline County Board of Commissioners | |
| In office January 2, 2014 – December 2, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Wilbur Levengood, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Larry C. Porter |
| In office December 7, 2010 – January 1, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Roger L. Layton |
| Succeeded by | Wilbur Levengood, Jr. |
| Vice President of the Caroline County Board of Commissioners | |
| In office January 8, 2013 – January 2, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Wilbur Levengood, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Wilbur Levengood, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 14, 1975 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Ridgely, Maryland |
Career
Ghrist was first elected to political office in December 2010, when he became the President of the Caroline County Board of Commissioners. He would serve in this position until January 2012, after which he was succeeded by Wilbur Levengood.[2] He once again became the President on January 2, 2014, succeeding Levengood.[1][3]
On October 29, 2013, Ghrist filed paperwork to run for election to one of the three District 36 seats in the House of Delegates.[4] In the primary, Ghrist defeated incumbent delegate Michael D. Smigiel Sr. with 17 percent of the vote,[5] and went on to win the general election with 24.1 percent of the vote.[6]
In the legislature
Ghrist has been a member of the House of Delegates since January 14, 2015. Since 2019, he has served as Deputy Minority Whip for the Maryland House Republican Caucus.[1]
Committee assignments
- Appropriations Committee, 2015–present (health & human resources subcommittee, 2015–2017; oversight committee on personnel, 2015–present; capital budget subcommittee, 2016–present; health & social services subcommittee, 2017–2018; transportation & the environment subcommittee, 2019; education & economic development subcommittee, 2020–present)
- Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, 2015–present
- Joint Covid-19 Response Legislative Work Group, 2020–present
- State Park Investment Commission, 2021–present
- Commission on Maryland Retirement Security and Savings, 2015–2016
- 21st Century School Facilities Commission, 2016–2017
Other memberships
- House Chair, Caroline County Delegation, 2015–present
- Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2015–present
Electoral history
| Maryland House of Delegates 36th District Republican Primary Election, 2014[5] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 6,796 | 27 |
| Republican | Steve Arentz | 6,372 | 25 |
| Republican | Jeff Ghrist | 4,307 | 17 |
| Republican | Michael D. Smigiel, Sr. | 4,163 | 16 |
| Republican | Alan McCarthy | 2,067 | 8 |
| Republican | J. D. Uhler | 1,048 | 4 |
| Republican | Rod Heinze | 641 | 3 |
| Maryland House of Delegates 36th District General Election, 2014[6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 33,579 | 30 |
| Republican | Jeff Ghrist | 27,259 | 24 |
| Republican | Steve Arentz | 25,516 | 23 |
| Democratic | Irving Pinder | 14,045 | 12 |
| Democratic | Robert Alan Thornton, Jr. | 12,184 | 11 |
| Other/Write-in | Other/Write-in | 313 | 0 |
| Maryland House of Delegates 36th District Republican Primary Election, 2018[7] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 6,685 | 27 |
| Republican | Jeff Ghrist | 6,348 | 24 |
| Republican | Steve Arentz | 5,641 | 22 |
| Republican | Michael D. Smigiel, Sr. | 2,936 | 11 |
| Republican | Rick Bowers | 2,244 | 9 |
| Republican | Wick Dudley | 2,113 | 8 |
| Maryland House of Delegates 36th District General Election, 2018[8] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Steve Arentz | 29,092 | 23 |
| Republican | Jeff Ghrist | 28,897 | 23 |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 27,087 | 21 |
| Democratic | Crystal Woodward | 16,032 | 13 |
| Democratic | Michael Ian Welker | 14,201 | 11 |
| Democratic | Keirien Taylor | 13,246 | 10 |
| Other/Write-in | Other/Write-in | 72 | 0 |
References
- "Jefferson L. Ghrist, Maryland State Delegate". msa.maryland.gov.
- Eilenberg, Robin Clark (December 11, 2012). "A New Set of Officers Among County Council Members and Commissioners". Conduit Street. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- "Wilbur Levengood, Jr., County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland". msa.maryland.gov.
- Andrews, Abby (October 29, 2013). "Ghrist to seek District 36 seat". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.