Charles J. Otto

Charles J. Otto
Otto in 2025
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 38A district
In office
January 12, 2011 – October 17, 2025
Preceded byCarolyn J. Elmore
Succeeded byKevin Anderson
Personal details
Born(1964-02-15)February 15, 1964
Salisbury, Maryland, U.S.
DiedOctober 17, 2025(2025-10-17) (aged 61)
Princess Anne, Maryland, U.S.
PartyRepublican

Charles James Otto (February 15, 1964 – October 17, 2025) was an American politician and farmer who was a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing district 38A from 2011 until his death on October 17, 2025.

Early life and career

Otto was born on February 15, 1964, in Salisbury, Maryland. He graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science in 1986.[1] Otto was selected to be an alternative student page during the 1982 session of the Maryland General Assembly.[2]

Otto was a corn and soybean farmer at his family's farm in Princess Anne, Maryland.[3][4] He previously worked as a sales representative and crop consultant for various organizations, including the William B. Tilghman Co. and the Maryland Farm Bureau, as well as having roles in various agricultural organizations in the community.[1]

Maryland House of Delegates

Otto speaks at a Maryland Federation of Republican Women event, 2019

Otto was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, succeeding Carolyn J. Elmore, who was appointed to the seat following the death of her husband Page.[5] He was sworn in on January 12, 2011.[1] In the legislature, Otto was known for keeping a low profile, his knowledge on agricultural issues, and advocacy for Maryland's rural communities and its watermen.[6][7] He served on the Environment and Transportation Committee during his entire tenure, as well as working as the deputy minority whip for the Maryland House Republican Caucus from 2013 until his death in October 2025.[1]

Political positions

Agriculture

In 2012, Otto said he opposed a bill that would ban arsenic in chicken feed, claiming that arsenic was not "an environmental threat or a human health threat".[8] The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that all forms of arsenic are a serious risk to human health.[9]

In 2014, Otto supported legislation to allow the use of hydraulic dredges to catch clams south of the Verrazano Bridge.[10]

During the 2023 legislative session, Otto introduced legislation to allow hunting on Sundays in Worcester County.[11] The bill passed and became law.[12]

Crime

In March 2013, Otto voted against a bill to repeal the death penalty.[13]

Following a string of false bomb threats made against schools and other public facilities across Delmarva in early 2016, Otto introduced legislation that would increase penalties for people who make fake bomb threats.[14] The bill passed and was signed into law.[15]

Education

Otto supported Maryland's Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) program, which provides state-funded scholarships to low-income students attending private schools. He also supported the expansion of charter schools.[16]

During the 2018 legislative session, Otto introduced legislation that would allow residents of Somerset County to qualify for free tuition at Wor–Wic Community College.[17]

Environment

Otto opposed proposals to build a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, supporting legislation in 2018 that would have required turbines to be built 26 miles offshore.[18] The bill received an unfavorable report in the Environment and Transportation Committee.[19]

In 2014, Otto introduced bills to repeal Maryland's "Rain Tax".[20]

During the 2016 legislative session, Otto signed onto a letter calling on the federal government to ban seismic airgun blasting.[21] In January 2017, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it would deny a proposal to allow seismic airgun blasting off the coast of Ocean City.[22]

In 2019, Otto supported legislation to hold Exelon fiscally responsible for costs associated with Conowingo Dam cleanup projects and implementing the dam's watershed implementation plan.[23]

Fiscal issues

During the 2011 legislative session, Otto voted against legislation to increase fees on license plates and official documents to pay for road repair projects.[24] In March 2013, he voted against legislation to index the state's fuel taxes to inflation.[25]

During the 2014 legislative session, Otto voted against a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.[26]

Gun policy

During the 2013 legislative session, Otto voted against the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[27] In May 2023, he signed onto a letter calling on Governor Wes Moore to veto the Gun Safety Act, an omnibus gun control bill that increased requirements and fees to obtain a handgun permit, strengthened safe storage requirements, and prohibited carrying guns near certain locations.[28]

Marijuana

Otto supported the legalization of medical marijuana in Maryland, but expressed concerns with the legalization of recreational marijuana.[29]

Social issues

During the 2012 legislative session, Otto voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.[30]

In 2019, Otto introduced legislation requiring Somerset County commissioners to live in the districts they represent. The bill passed unanimously and became law.[31]

Personal life and death

Otto was a member of and treasurer for the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Princess Anne, Maryland.[1] He died at his home in Princess Anne on October 17, 2025, at the age of 61.[4][32]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 38A Republican primary election, 2010[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles James Otto 1,558 40.4
Republican John K. Phoebus 1,185 30.7
Republican John T. Cannon 732 19.0
Republican Julie D. Brewington 384 10.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2010[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles James Otto 8,714 62.1
Democratic Michael K. McCready 5,293 37.7
Write-in 19 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2014[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles James Otto (incumbent) 7,431 60.5
Democratic Percy J. Purnell, Jr. 4,838 39.4
Write-in 10 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2018[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles James Otto (incumbent) 8,707 59.4
Democratic Kirkland J. Hall, Sr. 5,939 40.5
Write-in 20 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 38A election, 2022[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles James Otto (incumbent) 10,023 63.2
Democratic Todd J. Nock 5,828 36.7
Write-in 15 0.1

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Charles J. Otto, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  2. ^ "Seniors Selected For Student Page Honors". The Daily Times. November 16, 1981. p. 6. Retrieved October 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Latshaw, Greg (August 15, 2010). "Hope rests in 4 to keep GOP seat". The Daily Times. p. 6. Retrieved October 17, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Davis, Josh (October 17, 2025). "Maryland Del. Charles Otto dies after 14 years in office". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Knapp, Les (November 3, 2010). "Some Victories and Some Losses For County Officials Seeking Other Offices". Conduit Street. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Brown, Danielle J. (October 18, 2025). "Lower Shore Del. Charles Otto, 'unceasingly generous and hilariousy funny,' dies at 61". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  7. ^ Wood, Pamela (October 17, 2025). "Del. Charles Otto, Eastern Shore Republican, dies". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  8. ^ Fears, Darryl (April 9, 2012). "Maryland set to become first state to ban arsenic in chicken feed". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Dibyendu, Sarkar; Datta, Rupali (2007). "Biogeochemistry of Arsenic in Contaminated Soils of Superfund Sites". EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  10. ^ Sampson, Mark (February 28, 2016). "Clam dredging: Lid needs to stay firmly on this can". Delmarvanow. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Sharpe, Charlene (March 7, 2023). "Sunday Hunting Bills Being Considered". Maryland Coast Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Cechini, Hannah (April 10, 2023). "Eastern Shore lawmakers reflect on 445th Maryland General Assembly session". WMDT. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "House roll call". The Baltimore Sun. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Russo, Bryan (January 21, 2016). "Legislation Eyed To Localize Prosecution Of Bomb Threat To Impacted Jurisdictions". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "Bomb Threat Prosecution Bill Signed into Md. Law". WBOC-FM. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Hughes, Gray (February 10, 2017). "Like Senate, Delmarva leaders split on Betsy DeVos". Delmarvanow. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Parker, Susan (March 6, 2018). "Free Wor-Wic tuition: Bills would extend it for Somerset residents". Delmarvanow. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Soper, Shawn (March 8, 2018). "Wind Farm Bill Mandating Distance Would Kill Projects, Developers Say". Maryland Coastal Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Cox, Jeremy (March 8, 2018). "Ocean City loses bid to push back offshore wind developments". Delmarvanow. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  20. ^ Shutt, Jenn (January 12, 2014). "Stormwater runoff issue still divides". Delmarvanow. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  21. ^ Soper, Shawn (August 11, 2016). "Officials Partner To Seek Ban On Offshore Seismic Air Gun Testing". Maryland Coast Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Feds Take Seismic Air Gun Testing Off Table". Maryland Coastal Dispatch. January 6, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Maryland Bill Aimed to Clean Bay After Pollution From Conowingo Dam". WBOC-TV. February 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  24. ^ "How the House voted on fees". The Baltimore Sun. April 2, 2011. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  25. ^ "House roll call on gas taxes". The Baltimore Sun. March 22, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  26. ^ "House approves minimum wage hike". WBAL-TV. March 7, 2014. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  27. ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  28. ^ Curtis, Sean (May 12, 2023). "Maryland Republicans Formally Request Moore's Veto on Gun Safety Act". WBOC-TV. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Cechini, Hannah (April 10, 2023). "Md. lawmakers weigh gun reform, recreational marijuana in final hours of legislative session". WMDT. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun. February 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  31. ^ Gamard, Sarah (April 5, 2019). "Should commissioners live in the district they represent? Somerset pushes for requirement". Delmarvanow. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Obituary for Charles James Otto at Hinman Funeral Home". www.hinmanfuneralhome.com. Hinman Funeral Home. Archived from the original on October 19, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  33. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  34. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  35. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  36. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
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