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Mary Beth Carozza
Carozza in 2024
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 38th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byJim Mathias
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 38C district
In office
January 14, 2015 – January 9, 2019
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byWayne A. Hartman
Personal details
Born (1961-02-13) February 13, 1961 (age 63)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Alma materCatholic University of America (BA, MA)
ProfessionConsultant
Signature

Mary Beth Carozza (born February 13, 1961) is an American politician who is a Republican member of the Maryland Senate, representing District 38. She previous represented District 38C in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2019.

Early life and career

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Carozza was born in Baltimore on February 13, 1961,[1] to Tony and Mary Pat Carozza.[2] Her family moved to the Eastern Shore when she was in the fifth grade[3] and spent her summers working in her parents' business, Beefy's.[4] After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School, Carozza attended the Catholic University of America on a tennis scholarship,[5] where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political philosophy and a Master of Arts degree in American government.[1]

After graduating from Catholic University, Carozza worked as a staffer for congressional Republicans, including U.S. Senators William Cohen and Susan Collins, and U.S. Representatives Mike DeWine, Dave Hobson and Steve Stivers.[1] She worked as deputy assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs for Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from 2001 to 2003. Carozza was at The Pentagon during the September 11 attacks, during which she laid out body bags around the American Airlines Flight 77 crash site and helped Secretary Rumsfeld prepare for a press briefing on the attacks.[5] From 2003 to 2007, she worked as a deputy chief of staff to Governor Bob Ehrlich,[1] where she got to know Larry Hogan, Ehrlich's appointments secretary.[6]

In the legislature

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Carozza first became involved with electoral politics after Worcester County commissioner Louise Gulyas suggested Carozza run for her seat when she retired, which she considered until Ellen Sauerbrey encouraged her to run for the Maryland House of Delegates.[5] She filed to run for state delegate in the newly created district 38C in 2013,[7] during which she ran unopposed in the Republican primary[8] and defeated Democratic nominee Judy Davis in the general election with 74 percent of the vote.[9] Carozza was sworn in on January 12, 2015, and appointed to the House Appropriations Committee.[1]

Carozza in the Maryland Senate, 2023

In November 2017, Carozza, with the backing of Governor Hogan, announced her candidacy to the Maryland Senate, seeking to challenge Democratic state senator Jim Mathias, a top Republican target, in the 2018 state senate elections.[6][10] She defeated Mathias in the general election, receiving 53 percent of the vote.[11] Carozza was sworn in as a member of the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019, and has served as a member of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee during her entire tenure.[1] Since 2021, she has served as the policy and communications chair of the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus.[12]

Political positions

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Abortion

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During the 2023 legislative session, Carozza opposed a bill creating a statewide ballot referendum on enshrining the right to reproductive freedom into the Constitution of Maryland.[13] In 2024, she introduced an amendment to the state budget that would strip all state Medicare funding for abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or life of the mother, which was rejected in a party-line 12–34 vote.[14]

Agriculture

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Carozza introduced legislation in the 2022 legislative session that would exempt farm structures used for agritourism activities from certain requirements typically applied to commercial buildings.[15] The bill received a favorable report from the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee.[16]

Alcohol

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Carozza introduced legislation in the 2018 legislative session that would allow Worcester County to increase its beer production from 15,500 gallons to 31,000 gallons each year. The bill passed and was signed into law in March 2018.[17] In 2019, she introduced a bill to decrease the permitted proximity of liquor stores to churches, schools, public libraries, and youth centers in Somerset County from 300 feet to 200 feet.[18] The bill passed and became law without Governor Hogan's signature on May 25, 2019.[19] During the 2022 legislative session, Carozza introduced legislation that would abolish Somerset County's alcohol dispensary system, which requires that liquor be purchased through county-run stores, and create a $5,000 license fee for business owners that want to sell liquor.[20]

In March 2021, Carozza voted in favor of legislation that would continue the practice of selling beer, wine, and spirits through carryout or delivery for off-site consumption. The bill passed and became law.[21]

Crime and policing

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Following a string of false bomb threats made against schools and other public facilities across Delmarva in early 2016, Carozza introduced legislation that would strengthen punishments for those who make fake bomb threats.[22] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on May 19, 2016.[23] During the 2017 legislative session and following several serious boating incidents in Ocean City, Maryland, Carozza introduced a bill to ban bow riding.[24][25]

During the 2017 legislative session, Carozza introduced a bill to increase the penalties for causing life-threatening injuries while operating a vehicle negligently.[26] The bill was reintroduced during the 2019 and 2021 legislative sessions.[27][28] The bill passed and became law.[29][30]

During the 2018 legislative session and following several troubling motorized special events in Ocean City, Carozza introduced legislation that would allow for the creation of special event enforcement zones to enforce enhanced fines and penalties on reckless drivers.[31] She introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the penalties for violations in these special event zones during the 2019 and 2021 legislative sessions.[32][33][34]

In June 2021, following the release of a viral video showing Ocean City police officers exerting force against a group of Black teenagers on the boardwalk, Carozza made a statement defending the Ocean City police, saying that the individuals detained in the incident were arrested for multiple violations including disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police order, obstructing and hindering, second-degree assault, and resisting arrest.[35][36]

Education

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During the 2019 legislative session, Carozza opposed a bill that would repeal Governor Larry Hogan's executive order mandating that Maryland public schools start after Labor Day.[37] The Maryland General Assembly voted to override Hogan's veto on the bill in March 2019.[38]

During the 2021 legislative session, Carozza opposed legislation that would give collective bargaining rights to full- and part-time employees at all of the state's community colleges.[39] She also questioned legislation that expands required training for school resource officers to include restorative approaches and prevents officers from enforcing discipline except to prevent or intervene in a situation where "serious bodily injury with an imminent threat of serious harm" is at stake, referring to the 2018 shooting at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland.[40]

Environment

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In 2015, Carozza spearheaded an effort to encourage the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the inlet of Ocean City, Maryland, arguing that the shallow water in the inlet puts the economy of Worcester County in jeopardy.[41][42] Following Carozza's request, the Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to dredge the inlet in August 2015.[43] During the 2016 legislative session, she introduced legislation that would authorize the use of hydraulic dredging to catch hard-shell clams between the Verrazano Bridge and the Maryland-Virginia state line.[44]

During the 2017 legislative session, Carozza opposed legislation that would boost the state's renewable energy standards.[45] In 2018, she introduced a bill that would move the proposed wind farm in Ocean City further from the shore. The measure was killed by the House Economic Matters Committee.[46] In 2021, Carozza urged the Maryland Public Service Commission to move a proposed wind farm off the coast of Ocean City farther offshore, insisting that the turbines would damage views from the shore, jeopardizing tourism, real estate values, and the local economy.[47]

During the 2021 legislative session, Carozza introduced a bill to prohibit the deliberate release of balloons into the stratosphere.[48] The bill passed and became law on May 30, 2021.[49]

Healthcare

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During a debate on legislation that would require businesses to provide paid sick leave to most of its employees, Carozza introduced an amendment to the bill that would increase the threshold for eligibility from 90 days to 120 days. The amendment was rejected by the Maryland House of Delegates.[50][51]

During the 2022 legislative session and following the death of local resident Chris Trimper, who suffered an extreme allergic reaction during a reception at the Ocean Downs Casino in October 2019,[52] Carozza introduced a bill to allow restaurants to carry and administer EpiPens during emergency situations.[53] The bill passed unanimously and was signed by Governor Hogan on March 19, 2020.[54]

Immigration

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During her 2018 state senate campaign, Carozza said that she would vote against any legislation that would make Maryland a sanctuary state.[6] During the 2021 legislative session, she opposed a bill that banned local jails from housing detainees for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[55] The bill passed the Maryland General Assembly but received a veto from Governor Hogan in May 2021;[56] the General Assembly overrode the veto in December 2021.[57]

Marijuana

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During a debate on legislation that would establish that smoking marijuana in a public place as a civil offense, Carozza introduced an amendment that would make it a misdemeanor to smoke marijuana in certain public places, including the beach and boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. The House of Delegates approved the amendment and the bill passed the legislation with the amendment in place by a vote of 90-48,[58] but Governor Hogan vetoed the bill in May 2015.[59]

Minimum wage

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During a debate on legislation introduced during the 2019 legislative session that would raise the Maryland minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028, Carozza introduced an amendment that would slow the increase of the minimum wage overall and apply a 20 percent lower regional wage in parts of the state outside of Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City. Her amendment failed by a vote of 18-29.[60]

National politics

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In July 2024, following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, Carozza organized an interfaith prayer service to promote unity.[61]

Redistricting

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In June 2021, Carozza urged members of the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission to adopt single-member legislative districts and to keep the Eastern Shore whole in the redistricting process.[62] She opposed the congressional map introduced by the Maryland Legislative Redistricting Committee during the 2021 special legislative session.[63]

Personal life

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Carozza is a catechist and Eucharistic minister at the St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.[1]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 38C Republican primary election, 2014[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Beth Carozza 2,803 100.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 38C election, 2014[65]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Beth Carozza 11,611 73.9
Democratic Judy H. Davis 4,100 26.1
Write-in 3 0.0
Maryland Senate District 38 Republican primary election, 2018[66]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Beth Carozza 8,095 100.0
Maryland Senate District 38 election, 2018[67]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Beth Carozza 25,731 52.6
Democratic James N. Mathias Jr. (incumbent) 23,098 47.3
Write-in 44 0.1
Maryland Senate District 38 election, 2022[68]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mary Beth Carozza (incumbent) 32,277 66.4
Democratic Michele Gregory 16,273 33.5
Write-in 45 0.1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Mary Beth Carozza, Maryland State Senator". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Ferguson, Anita (January 11, 2003). "OC native goes to work for Md". The Daily Times. p. 1. Retrieved September 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Ravina, Rachel (November 1, 2018). "Election Day 2018: Who's running and where you can vote" (PDF). Bayside OC. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Green, Steven (October 31, 2018). "Election Preview: Carozza: I Can Be A Stronger Voice For The Shore'". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Swann, Sara (October 18, 2024). "Maryland election: Mathias and Carozza battle for highly competitive District 38 seat". The Daily Times. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Darden, B.J. (November 19, 2017). "Carozza, Accompanied by Hogan, Makes Mathias Challenge Official". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "OC Businessman Weighing Run At New Delegate Seat". The Dispatch. October 11, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sheriff Re-Elected, Delegate District Primary Decided". The Dispatch. June 26, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "General Election Vote Tallies; Mathias In Lead For Senate; Incumbent Shockley Defeated; James Tops In Ocean City". The Dispatch. November 5, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "State Rep. Mary Beth Carozza Announces State Senate Bid". WBOC-FM. November 19, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Davis, Josh; Ravina, Rachel (November 8, 2018). "Carozza topples Mathias in senate race". Bayside OC. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 3, 2020). "Under New Management, Senate GOP Caucus Announces Leadership Positions". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Maryland voters to see reproductive rights on 2024 ballot". Maryland Matters. March 31, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  14. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 14, 2024). "Atterbeary says House will do 'the right thing,' send revenues, gaming to Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  15. ^ Sharpe, Charlene (January 26, 2022). "Worcester Officials Voice Support For Agritourism Bill". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Soper, Shawn (February 10, 2022). "Worcester County Agritourism Bill Passes Senate Committee". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "Maryland Law Doubles Seacrets Distillery Buyback Limit". WBOC-FM. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "Somerset County May Change Alcohol Proximity Regulations". WBOC-FM. April 24, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  19. ^ "Legislation - SB0338". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Cortese, Doug (February 22, 2022). "Alcohol Dispensary System Could End in Somerset County". WBOC-FM. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  21. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 25, 2021). "Off-Premise Alcohol Sales Headed To Permanent Status". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  22. ^ Russo, Bryan (January 21, 2016). "Legislation Eyed To Localize Prosecution Of Bomb Threat To Impacted Jurisdictions". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "Bomb Threat Prosecution Bill Signed into Md. Law". WBOC-FM. May 19, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  24. ^ Soper, Shawn (December 8, 2016). "Proposed Reg Would Ban Bow-Riding In State Waters; Change Likely To Take Effect Before Summer". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  25. ^ "Bow Riding Ban Effort Derailed Temporarily; Legislature Will Have To Approve Quickly For Change This Summer". The Dispatch. March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  26. ^ Soper, Shawn (February 16, 2017). "Negligent Driving Bill Stems From Worcester Tragedy". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  27. ^ Soper, Shawn (January 31, 2019). "Negligent Driving Bill Introduced". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  28. ^ Soper, Shawn (January 21, 2021). "Senator Taking Another Shot At Wade's Law Legislation". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 25, 2021). "State Senate, House Likely To Approve Wade's Law". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "Legislation - SB0017". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  31. ^ Soper, Shawn (January 11, 2018). "Special Event Zone Idea Advances With Legislation Planned In Annapolis". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  32. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 7, 2019). "Strong OC Support For Revised Special Event Zone Bill". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  33. ^ Soper, Shawn (February 6, 2020). "Enhanced Event Bill Includes Exhibition Driving". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  34. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 19, 2020). "Tougher Special Event Bill Passed". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  35. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (June 14, 2021). "Top Lawmakers Call Use of Force By Ocean City Police "Disturbing"". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  36. ^ Soper, Shawn (June 17, 2021). "Mayor, Senator Defend Ocean City Police's Use Of Force; Local NAACP President Seeks Third-Party Investigation". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  37. ^ "Debate Over Back to School Start Date Continues". WBOC-FM. February 13, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  38. ^ DePuyt, Bruce; Gaines, Danielle E. (March 28, 2019). "Dems Strike Back, Overriding Hogan's Vetoes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  39. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah; Shwe, Elizabeth (December 6, 2021). "Senate Votes to Override Hogan's Veto of Parole Reform Bill, More than a Dozen Other Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  40. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 31, 2021). "Lawmakers Restructure the Role of School Police and Rethink School Disciplinary Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  41. ^ "Dredging Letter Of Intent Planned". The Dispatch. May 7, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  42. ^ "More Inlet Dredging Called Critical By County, Fishermen". The Dispatch. April 9, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  43. ^ "Dredging Planned for Ocean City Inlet". WBOC-FM. June 23, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  44. ^ Russo, Bryan (February 18, 2016). "Legislative Digest, Hydraulic Clam Dredging A Hot Issue In Annapolis". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  45. ^ "Maryland House Votes to Override Renewable Energy Bill Veto". WBOC-FM. January 31, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  46. ^ Kurtz, Josh (June 2, 2021). "Winds of Change: Source of Power and Struggle". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  47. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 29, 2021). "Ocean City Officials Make Last-Ditch Effort on Offshore Wind, But They're Outnumbered at Hearing". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Soper, Shawn (February 25, 2021). "Balloon Bill Breezes House, Lands In Senate Committee". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  49. ^ "Legislation - HB0391". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  50. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 9, 2017). "House Rejects Seasonal Clause For Paid Sick Leave Legislation". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  51. ^ Russo, Bryan (April 7, 2016). "Paid Sick Leave Bill Clears House, Heads To Senate; Changes Spark Major Concerns For Resort Operations". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  52. ^ Soper, Shawn (November 5, 2019). "UPDATED: After Local's Death From Allergic Reaction, OC Council Member Suggests Law Change On EpiPens In Private Establishments; Senator Researching Potential Chris's Law". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  53. ^ Soper, Shawn (February 4, 2020). "Bill Would Allow EpiPens In Some Maryland Food Service Establishments". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  54. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 19, 2020). "Approved Bill Allows Restaurants To Carry EpiPens". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  55. ^ Sharpe, Charlene (April 1, 2021). "Legislation Banning Jails From Housing ICE Detainees Advances". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  56. ^ Soper, Shawn (May 27, 2021). "Governor Vetoes Bill With Major Impact On County Jail". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  57. ^ Sharpe, Charlene (December 9, 2021). "Veto Override Carries Major County Jail Impact". The Dispatch. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  58. ^ "Legislative Loophole On Pot Smoking In Public Targeted". The Dispatch. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  59. ^ "Governor Slaps Veto On Public Pot Smoking Law". The Dispatch. May 28, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  60. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 14, 2019). "One-Stop Shopping: A Roundup of Wednesday's Major Developments". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  61. ^ Fischer, Tara (July 18, 2024). "Community joins for prayer service in Ocean Pines in response to Trump assassination attempt". OC Today-Dispatch. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  62. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (June 9, 2021). "Redistricting Commission Urged To Adopt Single-Member Delegate Districts At First Public Hearing". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  63. ^ "Maryland General Assembly Approves New Congressional Map". WBOC-FM. December 9, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  64. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  65. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  66. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  67. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  68. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
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