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Katherine A. Klausmeier

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Kathy Klausmeier
Klausmeier in 2022
President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate
In office
January 9, 2019 – January 8, 2020
Preceded byNathaniel J. McFadden
Succeeded byMelony G. Griffith
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 10, 2003
Preceded byJoseph T. Ferraracci
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 8th district
In office
January 12, 1995 – January 10, 2003
Preceded byJoseph Bartenfelder
Succeeded byEric M. Bromwell
Personal details
Born
Katherine Nossel

(1950-02-22) February 22, 1950 (age 74)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A,
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJohn Klausmeier
Children2
EducationThe Catholic High School of Baltimore, Community College of Baltimore County (AA)
Signature

Katherine A. Klausmeier (née Nossel; born February 22, 1950) is an American politician who has served as a member of both chambers of the General Assembly of Maryland at the state capital of Annapolis, Maryland, currently in the upper chamber of the Maryland Senate representing District 8 in northeast Baltimore County, since 2003. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as president pro tempore of the Maryland Senate from 2019 to 2020 and represented the same district earlier in the lower chamber of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003. Klausmeier is the longest serving current member of the Maryland Senate, serving in the Maryland State House for 21 years, and as a delegate for eight years before that.[1]

Early life and education

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Katherine Nossel[2] was born in Baltimore on February 22, 1950,[3] to father Jerome Bernard Nossel, a local tavern owner and mother Elizabeth (née Stager).[4] She was raised in Perry Hall, Maryland of northeastern suburban Baltimore County.[2] She attended and graduated from the all-girls student body at The Catholic High School of Baltimore (founded 1939), on Edison Highway in East Baltimore city, and attended the nearby Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), where she received an associate degree in 1971. Klausmeier also attended, but did not graduate from Towson University in Towson, Maryland.[3]

Career

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After graduating from CCBC, Klausmeier worked as a child life coordinator at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center for thirty years. She also served as the president of the Gunpowder Elementary School parent-teacher association from 1987 to 1989, and again from 1991 to 1994.[3][5] Klausmeier first became involved with politics as an election judge in 1990 and 1992. From 1991 to 1992, she served as the education chair of the Baltimore County League of Women Voters. Klausmeier served as the vice president of the Baltimore County Commission for Women from 1991 to 1993, and chaired the task force charged with studying whether to create an elected or appointed school board in Baltimore County in 1993.[3]

In the legislature

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Klausmeier in 2008

Klausmeier was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1994,[6][7] and was sworn in on January 11, 1995. She served as a member of the Environmental Matters Committee during her entire tenure.[3]

Klausmeier was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2002,[8] and was sworn in on January 8, 2003. She has served as a member of the Finance Committee during her entire tenure, and became the committee's vice chair in 2023.[3] From 2019 to 2020, Klausmeier served as the president pro tempore of the Maryland Senate, making her the second woman in Maryland history, after Ida G. Ruben, to hold the position.[5][9]

In the 2018 Maryland Senate election, Klausmeier was challenged by state delegate Christian Miele, who received the backing of Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Republican Party in their "Drive for Five" campaign.[10] The election was seen as one of the most competitive in the Maryland Senate, as Miele was expected to benefit from having the endorsement of Governor Larry Hogan, who won the district by 37 points in 2014,[11][12] but Klausmeier was seen as being the slight favorite due to her high name recognition and strong community roots.[13][14][15] During the election, Klausmeier shifted toward the center in an attempt to appeal to Republican voters, including photos of her with Hogan in campaign mailers.[5][16] She defeated Miele in the general election on November 6, 2018, edging out Miele by a margin of 1,061 votes, or 2.3 percent.[17][18]

In August 2024, after Johnny Olszewski won the Democratic nomination in the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election in Maryland's 2nd congressional district, Klausmeier expressed interest in serving the remainder of Olszewski's term as Baltimore County Executive. If nominated by the Baltimore County Council, she has also suggested that she would run for reelection to her Senate seat in 2026.[19]

Personal life

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Klausmeier is married to her husband John,[20] who owns and operates Klausmeier & Sons Auto Repair in Nottingham, Maryland.[5] Together, they have two daughters.[3] She is Catholic.[21]

Political positions

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The Baltimore Sun has described Klausmeier as a moderate.[22]

Crime and policing

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During the 2021 legislative session, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to vote against a bill that would require courts to impose sentences below the minimum when sentencing a juvenile criminal offender as an adult[23] and the Maryland Police Accountability Act, a police transparency and accountability reform package that repealed the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.[24][25]

In 2022, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to vote against a bill repealing a law that allowed children to be arrested for disturbing school activities.[26]

During the 2023 legislative session, Klausmeier supported a bill to make handgun theft a felony.[27]

Environment

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In 2019, Klausmeier voted against a bill that would block the Wheelabrator Incinerator ineligible to receive subsidies meant for renewable energy, saying that the bill would harm the incinerator and counties that use it to burn trash.[28]

During the 2021 legislative session, Klausmeier introduced legislation to establish an Office on Climate Change within the governor's office to centralize combat change efforts.[29] She also advocated for requiring all newly-built schools in Maryland to be carbon neutral.[30]

Gun policy

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During the 2018 legislative session and following the Parkland high school shooting, Klausmeier introduced legislation requiring lockable doors in every Maryland classroom and annual active threat drills in schools. The bill passed and became law.[31][32]

In 2020, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to vote against overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto on a bill to repeal Maryland's Handgun Permit Review Board, which handled conceal carry applications.[33]

In 2021, during debate on a bill that would prohibit people from carrying guns at polling places, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to support an amendment to the bill that would exempt police and off-duty or retired officers from the bill.[34]

Healthcare

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During the 2018 legislative session, Klausmeier introduced a bill that would allow pharmacists to tell consumers that they can pay less for their prescription drugs.[35] In 2019, she introduced legislation to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs.[36]

Marijuana

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During the 2021 legislative session, Klausmeier voted for a bill to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia, but voted against voting to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto on the bill, resulting in its death.[37]

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In 2017, during debate on a bill to provide workers with up to seven days of paid sick leave, Klausmeier introduced an amendment to lower the amount of days to five. After the amendment was rejected, she voted against the bill.[38]

In 2022, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to vote against the Time to Care Act, which provided workers with up to 24 weeks of paid family leave.[39]

Social issues

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In February 2011, Klausmeier said that she was "conflicted" on how she would vote on the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland. She later said that she would vote for the bill,[40] and voted for it again when it was reintroduced in 2012.[41]

In 2016, Klausmeier was one of four Democrats to vote against overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto on a bill to restore voting rights to felons on parole.[42]

During the 2019 legislative session, Klausmeier introduced a bill that would prohibit companies from charging higher insurance premiums to families who own Rottweilers or pit bulls.[43] In 2020, she was the only Senate Democrat to vote against the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act, which would make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against renters on the basis of source of income.[44]

In 2020, Klausmeier introduced legislation to ban registered sex offenders from school campuses. The bill was introduced after Santino Sudano, a 21-year-old student at Parkville High School, was charged with second degree rape after pleading guilty to a fourth degree sex offense in April 2018.[45]

During the 2021 legislative session, Klausmeier was the only Senate Democrat to vote against a bill to extend the state's earned income tax credit to undocumented immigrants.[46] In 2023, she again voted to exempt undocumented immigrants from the state's earned income tax credit.[47]

Taxes

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In 2007, Klausmeier introduced a bill that would provide tax breaks to businesses that ban smoking, seeking to prevent a bill that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants statewide.[48]

During the 2020 legislative session, Klausmeier introduced legislation to reduce toll late fees from $50 to $5.[49]

In March 2023, Klausmeier was one of five Democrats to vote for an amendment to decouple the state's gas tax from inflation. The amendment was rejected by the Maryland Senate in a 20-27 vote.[50]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 8 Democratic primary election, 1994[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier 8,213 32.3
Democratic Daniel E. McKew 6,419 25.2
Democratic John G. Disney 4,747 18.7
Democratic David A. Lessner 3,190 12.5
Democratic Charles Patrick Kazlo 2,854 11.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 8 election, 1994[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier 17,496 19.9
Republican Alfred W. Redmer Jr. (incumbent) 16,373 18.6
Republican James F. Ports Jr. (incumbent) 15,244 17.3
Republican Calvin Clemons 13,996 15.9
Democratic Daniel E. McKew 12,931 14.7
Democratic John G. Disney 11,886 13.5
Maryland House of Delegates District 8 election, 1998[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 19,835 21.0
Republican Alfred W. Redmer Jr. (incumbent) 17,846 18.9
Republican James F. Ports Jr. (incumbent) 17,756 18.8
Democratic J. Joseph Curran III 17,583 18.7
Republican Joseph C. Boteler III 11,306 12.0
Democratic Taras Andrew Vizzi 9,927 10.5
Maryland Senate District 8 Democratic primary election, 2002[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier 10,463 85.2
Democratic Raymond C. Shiflet 1,815 14.8
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2002[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier 24,590 58.5
Republican John W. E. Cluster Jr. 17,426 41.4
Write-in 55 0.1
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2006[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 24,299 58.2
Republican Craig Borne 17,401 41.7
Write-in 37 0.1
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2010[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 25,155 59.7
Republican Dee Hodges 16,968 40.2
Write-in 41 0.1
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2014[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 23,638 61.2
Republican Erik Lofstad 14,938 38.7
Write-in 37 0.1
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2018[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 24,332 51.1
Republican Christian Miele 23,271 48.8
Write-in 45 0.1
Maryland Senate District 8 election, 2022[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katherine A. Klausmeier (incumbent) 22,773 66.3
Republican Ken Fitch 11,554 33.6
Write-in 41 0.1

References

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  1. ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 20, 2022). "Moore taps Sen. Pinsky and Mollie Byron for his administration; multiple legislative dominoes set to fall". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Del. Klausmeier highlights experience in bid for state Senate seat in 8th District". The Baltimore Sun. October 21, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Katherine A. Klausmeier, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jerome Bernard Nossel, was tavern owner". The Baltimore Sun. April 24, 1978. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Wood, Pamela (January 11, 2019). "Who is Kathy Klausmeier? Maryland Senate's second-in-command steps up during Miller's illness". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Carson, Larry (September 6, 1994). "Delegate races in the 8th have 2 parties scrambling". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Erlandson, Robert A. (November 9, 1994). "Bromwell, Ports, Redmer re-elected in 8th Klausmeier also wins ELECTION 1994". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "Changes spice up legislative races". The Baltimore Sun. September 11, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  9. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 8, 2020). "A History-Making Day". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Kurtz, Josh (June 8, 2017). "Republicans Get Their Miele Ticket". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  11. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 7, 2018). "Hogan School Construction Bill Veto Sets Up Late-Session Override Drama". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Hicks, Josh (May 7, 2017). "How Md. Republicans plan to break the state Senate's supermajority in 2018". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Kurtz, Josh (February 16, 2018). "Political Notebook: Klausmeier Leads Miele in State Senate Poll – And More!". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Kurtz, Josh (February 19, 2018). "Republican Polling Memo Sees Klausmeier as Highly Vulnerable". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  15. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 30, 2018). "Races for Maryland Senate, House of Delegates". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Dresser, Michael; Wood, Pamela (September 23, 2018). "As Ben Jealous runs to the left, some Democrats keep distance or embrace Hogan". The Baltimore Sun.
  17. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "GOP's 'Drive for Five' Stalls". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  18. ^ Wood, Pamela (January 3, 2019). "Miele, after losing state Senate contest, lands job at Department of Disabilities". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Lee, John (August 13, 2024). "The race is on for "caretaker" Baltimore County Executive". WYPR. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  20. ^ Silwick, Shelley (March 21, 2014). "Gala marked Perry Hall High's 50th anniversary". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Economy forces Towson Catholic to close". The Baltimore Sun. July 8, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Dresser, Michael (May 23, 2014). "Baltimore County up for grabs in governor's race with no hometown favorite". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  23. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 19, 2021). "Roundup of Marathon Senate Session: Collective Bargaining, Mail-in Ballots and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  24. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (April 2, 2021). "House and Senate Move Closer to Sending Cohesive Police Reform Package to Governor". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  25. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (April 10, 2021). "The General Assembly Overrode Hogan's Vetoes of Police Reform Bills. We Break Down the Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  26. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah; Shwe, Elizabeth (March 4, 2022). "Floor Action Roundup: United House Passes Tax Bills, Senate Debates Judicial Transparency, and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  27. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Gaines, Danielle E. (February 9, 2023). "Notes: Senate Republicans release priority list, Cassilly nominates brother to Ethics Board, another glass ceiling shattered and more". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  28. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Dance, Scott (March 19, 2019). "Maryland Senate again advances bill making Baltimore trash incinerator ineligible for 'green' energy subsidies". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  29. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 11, 2021). "Senate Panel Gets to Work on Sweeping Climate Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  30. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 5, 2021). "Md. Senate Begins Discussions on Sweeping Climate Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  31. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (November 23, 2020). "Some Counties Push to Remove Police From Schools — But Who Has the Authority to Make the Call?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  32. ^ Dresser, Michael (April 10, 2018). "'We faced this crisis together' — Gov. Hogan sounds bipartisan theme as he signs 114 bills". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  33. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; DePuyt, Bruce (January 31, 2020). "How the Veto Override Votes Went Down in the House and Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  34. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth; Kurtz, Josh (March 5, 2021). "Bills on Digital Tax, Guns at Polling Places Move to Final Senate Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  35. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 6, 2018). "Radio Ads to Push for Prescription Drug Price Legislation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  36. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (January 3, 2019). "Bipartisan Group of Local Officials Backing Prescription Drug Plan". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  37. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (December 8, 2021). "Advocates Press Ferguson to Bring Drug Paraphernalia Bill Up for Override Vote Despite Senate Rules". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  38. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 3, 2017). "Paid sick leave cleared by key Md. Senate committee, where it died last year". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  39. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 19, 2022). "Legislative Roundup: Removing Health Officers, Calculating Environmental Justice Scores, Juvenile Justice Reform, and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  40. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (February 14, 2011). "Sen. Klausmeier also to vote yes to gay marriage". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  41. ^ "How Md. senators voted on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun. February 23, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  42. ^ Cox, Erin (February 9, 2016). "Released felons gain right to vote in Maryland after veto override". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  43. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 12, 2019). "Are Some Dogs More Dangerous? State Is Urged to Shed 'Outdated Stereotypes'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  44. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 21, 2020). "Lawmakers: HOME Act's Passage in Senate Has Been 'Long Time Coming'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  45. ^ Bowie, Liz; Nobles, Wilborn P. III (February 10, 2020). "Baltimore County lawmaker proposes banning student sex offenders from school campuses". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  46. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (February 19, 2021). "Senate OKs Bill to Extend Tax Credit to Thousands of Immigrants". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  47. ^ Ford, William J.; Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P.; Zorzi, William F. (March 21, 2023). "Lawmakers churn through hundreds of bills on drama-free 'Crossover Day'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  48. ^ Green, Andrew A. (February 8, 2007). "Bill offers smoke-free tax break". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  49. ^ "Video Toll Late Fee Could Be Slashed From $50 to $5". Maryland Matters. November 22, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  50. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 21, 2023). "Republicans seek gas tax consistency, Democrats warn of a reckoning". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  51. ^ "1994 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. February 6, 2001. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  52. ^ "994 Gubernatorial General Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. February 6, 2001. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  53. ^ "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. October 24, 2000. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  54. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. March 19, 2003. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  55. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. December 2, 2002. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  56. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 08". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  57. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  58. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. December 2, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  59. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. December 11, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  60. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. December 7, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
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Maryland Senate
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate
2019–2020 		Succeeded by
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