Barry Glassman

Early life and education

Glassman was born on March 24, 1962, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and grew up on a sheep farm in Level. He graduated from Havre de Grace High School in 1980. He also attended Meadowvale Elementary and Havre de Grace Middle School. After high school, he attended Washington College, where he graduated in 1984 with a B.A. in political science.

Career

After college, Glassman was a claims investigative specialist with Travelers Insurance Company. He worked there until 1990 when he took a position with Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.

Glassman became active in politics soon after college. He became a member of the Maryland Association of Counties in 1990 and was active until 1998. He was also a member of the National Association of Counties during the same time, serving on the rural affairs committee. He has been a member of the Maryland Claims Adjusters since 1990.

Harford County Council

In 1990, he also became a member of the Harford County Council, serving until 1998. He was the vice-president in 1995. He has served on several task forces, including the Task Force on Resource-Based Industry in Maryland, the Task Force to Study Motor Vehicle Salvage Inspection and Titling Practices, the Study Commission on Public Funding of Campaigns in Maryland, and the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland.

At a local level, Glassman is a member of the American Sheep Council, Harford County 4-H Club, the Harford County Farm Bureau, the Level Volunteer Fire Company, and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society.

In the legislature

Glassman was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 13, 1999. He was a member of the Environmental Matters Committee, the Economic Matters Committee, and the Commerce and Government Matters Committee. He was also the chair of the Harford County Delegation and the Republican Policy Committee, and a member of the Maryland Legislative Sportmen's Caucus, the Maryland Rural Caucus, the Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, the Maryland Veterans Caucus, and the Taxpayers Protection Caucus.

In January 2008, Glassman was appointed to the Maryland Senate, succeeding state Senator J. Robert Hooper, who had resigned for medical reasons. He was a member of the Finance Committee and the Protocol Committee, was the Senate Chair of the Harford County Delegation, and a member of the Maryland Veterans Caucus.

Harford County Executive

On June 7, 2013, Glassman said he would not seek re-election to the Maryland Senate in 2014, instead announcing a run for Harford County executive. He was unopposed in the Republican primary, and defeated Joe Werner in the general election with 74.8 percent of the vote. He was sworn in on December 1, 2014. Glassman ran for re-election in 2018, winning a second term with 67.4 percent of the vote.

In November 2015, Glassman said he was considering a run for the Republican nomination in the 2016 United States Senate election in Maryland. In January 2016, he said he would not run for Senate, instead continuing to serve as county executive.

2022 Maryland Comptroller candidacy

Main article: 2022 Maryland Comptroller election

In December 2020, Glassman, who was term-limited from running for a third-term as Harford County executive, said he was "weighing his options" on a possible run for governor, comptroller, or a congressional seat. On April 15, 2021, Glassman announced that he would run for Comptroller of Maryland in the 2022 election. In announcing his run, Glassman said he would have run for Maryland's 1st congressional district in 2022 had incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Harris "kept his promise on term limits".

Following the Republican primaries, in which he ran unopposed, Glassman refused to endorse either of the other two statewide Republican nominees, Dan Cox and Michael Peroutka. He lost to state delegate Brooke Lierman in the general election, receiving 38.3 percent of the vote. Following his defeat, Glassman worked as a lobbyist during the 2023 legislative session and started his own lobbying firm, Deer Creek Government Relations, in June 2023.

Political positions

Glassman has been described as a moderate Republican.

Development initiatives

During his first year as county executive, Glassman unveiled a plan to revive development initiatives at the James Run corporate site near I-95, and with establishing an agricultural research and exposition center near Dublin.

In May 2022, Glassman vetoed a bill that would place a building development moratorium on the Perryman Peninsula, saying that the bill was "illegal" and violated the Harford County Code and the County Charter. The Harford County Council did not override Glassman's veto on the bill, despite previously voting unanimously to pass the bill.

Education

In February 2021, Glassman said he supported a bill introduced in the Maryland Senate to create an all-elected school board in Harford County.

Gun control

In March 2013, Glassman said that he opposed the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, calling the bill "an infringement on the law-abiding folks" and not a deterrent to criminals who use guns. Glassman voted against the bill in April 2013.

Healthcare

Glassman supported the creation of Maryland's Prescription Drug Affordability Board, a body tasked with making recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly on how to make prescription drugs more affordable. In May 2019, Glassman wrote an op-ed to Maryland Matters calling on Maryland governor Larry Hogan to sign the bill creating the agency into law.

Marijuana

In 2003, Glassman voted against a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Maryland, calling the bill a "revenue enhancement act for the drug dealers". Glassman later reversed his position on marijuana, supporting and voting for legislation to legalize medical marijuana and decriminalize small amounts of the drug in 2014, but said he did not support the full legalization of marijuana. In August 2021, Glassman said that he had "no objection" to putting the question of legalizing cannabis before voters, but said he'd "wait for pass judgement on the implementation legislation".

Social issues

Glassman opposed the Civil Marriage Protection Act, voting against it in both 2011 and 2012 and telling The Baltimore Sun, "I don't have a problem providing some right and privileges within a civil union, but I don't want to redefine what a traditional marriage is."

In March 2013, Glassman voted against legislation that would repeal the death penalty in Maryland.

In February 2019, Glassman called on state Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti, who represents part of Harford County in District 34A, to resign after she used the n-word to describe a Prince George's County legislative district.

Glassman condemned the 2021 United States Capitol attack, sending a tweet during the attack that read "Put this rebellion down!" and later sending an email condemning U.S. Representative Andy Harris's role in the incident. Shortly after the events, Glassman announced he would consider a run against Harris in 2022, but he ultimately ran for Comptroller of Maryland in 2022 instead.

Taxes

In May 2012, Glassman voted against Senate Bill 1302. In March 2013, he voted against a bill to raise the gas tax to replenish the state's transportation fund.

Personal life

Aside from politics, Glassman is a sheep farmer who lives in Darlington, Maryland, and is married to his wife, Dari. Together, they have one child and one grandchild.

Election results

References

References

1. (January 26, 2023). "Barry Glassman, County Executive, Harford County, Maryland". [[Maryland State Archives]].
2. (July 12, 2014). "Katahdin Sheep Are Outlet for Md. Legislator". [[Lancaster Farming]].
3. (January 12, 2022). "Harford County executive touts accomplishments, raises inflation concerns during final State of the County address". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
4. (January 3, 2008). "Glassman to take office as newest Md. senator". [[Daily Record (Maryland).
5. (June 7, 2013). "2 Senate Republicans to announce executive bids". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
6. (July 21, 2017). "County exec Glassman says he plans to run for re-election". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
7. (November 6, 2018). "Harford votes for Glassman, Gahler, Vincenti, Peisinger". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
8. (November 11, 2015). "Harford County Executive Barry Glassman considers Senate run". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
9. (January 13, 2016). "Harford Co. Executive Barry Glassman passes on Senate run". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
10. (December 3, 2020). "Glassman COVID-19 TV spot says wear a mask, but ad may also boost Harford exec's name recognition for state office". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
11. (April 15, 2021). "Harford Executive Barry Glassman becomes first Republican to announce run for Maryland comptroller in 2022". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
12. (April 21, 2021). "Glassman to seek comptroller's office". [[The Herald-Mail]].
13. (July 20, 2022). "As non-Trump Republicans bemoan party's shift, Dems move quickly to define Dan Cox". [[Maryland Matters]].
14. Portnoy, Jenna. (November 9, 2022). "Lierman wins Md. comptroller, first woman to win state office independently". [[The Washington Post]].
15. (July 20, 2022). "Lierman wins Democratic primary nomination for comptroller, will face Glassman". [[WJZ-TV]].
16. (June 28, 2023). "Political notes: More candidates in Dist. 6, as the lobbying world turns, MML honorees, personnel news and more". [[Maryland Matters]].
17. (April 15, 2021). "County Executive Barry Glassman announces run for Maryland comptroller". [[WBAL-TV]].
18. (July 22, 2022). "For moderate Glassman, the comptroller's race just got a lot harder". [[Daily Record (Maryland).
19. (December 4, 2015). "Harford's Glassman calls his first year as county executive 'amazing'". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
20. (May 2, 2022). "Harford County executive vetoes Perryman moratorium bill, calling it 'illegal'". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
21. (May 3, 2022). "Glassman's Perryman moratorium veto stands after County Council doesn't mention bill at its Tuesday night meeting". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
22. (February 18, 2021). "Harford delegation's effort to create all-elected school board fails, but county senators offer their own version". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
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24. (April 5, 2013). "How the Maryland Senate voted on passed gun-control legislation". [[The Washington Post]].
25. (November 3, 2020). "Harford executive, Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board say public input is crucial as it works to curb costs of medication". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
26. (January 2, 2019). "Bipartisan Group of Local Officials Backing Prescription Drug Plan". [[Maryland Matters]].
27. (May 1, 2019). "Opinion: Glassman Calls on Hogan to Sign Prescription Drug Affordability Bill". [[Maryland Matters]].
28. (March 19, 2003). "House Takes Two Tries to Pass Medical Marijuana, Senate Up Next". [[Capital News Service (Maryland).
29. (March 14, 2003). "Medical Marijuana Advances in Md. House". [[The Washington Post]].
30. (December 19, 2016). "Six applicants pre-approved for medical marijuana dispensaries in Harford-area legislative districts". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
31. (October 23, 2015). "Harford's disconnect over medical marijuana finds executive not worried, but sheriff and drug czar are". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
32. (August 16, 2021). "Democratic Comptroller Candidates Support Cannabis Legalization, Equitable Industry". [[Maryland Matters]].
33. (February 9, 2011). "Brochin reconsidering stand on same-sex marriage". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
34. (February 24, 2012). "How the Md. Senate voted on same-sex marriage". [[The Washington Post]].
35. (February 21, 2012). "Harford's delegates vote against same-sex marriage bill". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
36. (March 6, 2013). "How the Maryland Senate voted on repealing the death penalty". [[The Washington Post]].
37. (February 27, 2019). "Calls increase for Democratic lawmaker to resign over use of racial slur". [[The Washington Post]].
38. (January 9, 2021). "'Part of the problem': Protesters gather outside Andy Harris' Bel Air office day after siege of U.S. Capitol". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
39. (April 2021). "Does Congressman Andy Harris Represent the Future or End of the Maryland GOP?". [[Baltimore Magazine]].
40. (May 15, 2012). "How the Md. Senate voted on the tax bill". [[The Washington Post]].
41. (March 29, 2013). "How the Md. Senate voted on the gas tax". [[The Washington Post]].
42. (December 1, 2014). "Barry Glassman: A Country Gentleman, A Powerful Leader". I95 Business.
43. (September 7, 2017). "Harford County executive earns top honor for sheep at state fair". [[The Aegis (newspaper).
44. "Harford County Election Results". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
45. (July 19, 2022). "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for Comptroller". Maryland State Board of Elections.
46. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Comptroller".