Pamela Beidle

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Pamela Beidle
Beidle in 2024
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 32nd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byJames E. DeGrange Sr.
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 32nd district
In office
January 10, 2007 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byTerry R. Gilleland Jr.
Succeeded byMike Rogers
J. Sandy Bartlett
Personal details
Born (1951-07-21) July 21, 1951 (age 72)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLen
Children3
EducationAnne Arundel Community College (AA)
Towson University (BA)
Signature
WebsiteCampaign website

Pamela Graboski Beidle (born July 21, 1951) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate from District 32 since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2019, and was a member of the Anne Arundel County Council from 1998 to 2006.

Early life and education[edit]

Beidle was born in Baltimore.[1] She graduated from Archbishop Spalding High School and later attended Anne Arundel Community College, earning her associate degree in business in 1977, and Towson University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in business administration in 1994.[2]

Career[edit]

After graduating from AACC, Beidle started her own insurance company, Beidle Insurance Agency, which she ran with her husband until 2017.[2][3] She was also a member of the Northern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Life Underwriters, and served on the boards of Leadership Anne Arundel and Hospice of the Chesapeake.[2]

In 1998, Beidle won election to the Anne Arundel County Council in District 1, succeeding term-limited councilmember George F. Bachman Jr.[4] She was sworn in December 1998, and served until December 4, 2006.[2]

Maryland General Assembly[edit]

Beidle in the Senate Finance Committee, 2023

Beidle was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 10, 2007. She was a member of the Environmental Matters Committee (later renamed to the Environment and Transportation Committee) during her entire tenure.[2]

In August 2017, Beidle filed to run for the Maryland Senate in District 32 in 2018, seeking to succeed retiring state senator James E. DeGrange Sr., who had encouraged her to run.[5] The district was targeted by the Maryland Republican Party in its "Fight for Five" campaign in 2018.[6] After running unopposed in the primary election, Beidle faced Republican county councilmember John Grasso in the general election,[7] whom she defeated with 66.4 percent of the vote.[6] Maryland Matters compared the general election to the 2016 United States presidential election, noting that Beidle was deep-rooted in local politics while Grasso had comparatively less political experience, held politically partisan views, and was known for making controversial Facebook posts.[8]

Beidle was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019. She has been a member of the Executive Nominations Committee and the Finance Committee since 2019.[2] In December 2022, Senate President Bill Ferguson appointed Beidle as the chair of the Executive Nominations Committee,[9] a position she gave up to become the chair of the Finance Committee following the resignation of Melony G. Griffith in October 2023.[10]

Personal life[edit]

Beidle is married to her husband Len. Together, they have three children.[1]

Political positions[edit]

Education[edit]

During the 2017 legislative session, Beidle introduced legislation to create an elected school board in Anne Arundel County. The bill passed and became law.[11]

During debate on the Blueprint for Maryland's Future in 2019, Beidle expressed concern with the education reform bill's Concentration of Poverty Grants, which provided extra funds to schools with high populations of students that receive free or reduced-price lunches, saying that she wanted the percentage floor required to receive the grants to be lowered.[12]

Environment[edit]

During the 2021 legislative session, Beidle introduced a bill that would require the state to switch to safer alternatives in firefighting foam and ban PFAS chemicals in food packaging.[13]

Gun policy[edit]

During the 2013 legislative session, Beidle was one of 18 Democratic state delegates to vote against the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[14]

During the 2019 legislative session, Beidle introduced legislation to repeal of the state's Handgun Permit Review Board, which handled concealed carry applications.[15] The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan;[16] the legislature overrode Hogan's veto during the 2020 legislative session.[17] She also voted against Hogan's appointments to the board, claiming that there was "too much secrecy" surrounding the board's decisions.[18]

Health care[edit]

In 2019, Beidle voted against the End-of-Life Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults.[19]

During the 2022 legislative session, Beidle introduced legislation to prohibit health care companies from raising prices on "essential goods or services" by more than 10 percent during a state of emergency.[20] She also introduced a bill requiring Maryland to stay in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for an additional eight years,[21] which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[22]

In April 2022, Beidle spoke in support of legislation to provide paid sick leave, recalling when her business continued to pay a worker who took off after she and her mother were diagnosed with cancer.[23]

Minimum wage[edit]

During the 2014 legislative session, Beidle voted against legislation to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017.[24]

Policing[edit]

During the 2021 legislative session, Beidle expressed concerns with the Maryland Police Accountability Act, also known as Anton's Law, especially with provisions to repeal the state's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, and introduced an amendment to the bill to remove "unfounded and unsubstantiated complaints" from records that could be obtained under the Maryland Public Information Act. The amendment was rejected by the Maryland Senate in a 21-26 vote.[25]

Social issues[edit]

In 2012, Beidle voted for the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.[26]

During the 2021 legislative session, Beidle supported legislation to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia.[27]

Taxes[edit]

During the 2013 legislative session, Beidle voted against a bill to index the state's gas tax to inflation to pay for transportation projects.[28] In March 2023, she was one of five Democrats to vote for an amendment that would have repealed this bill.[29]

During the 2022 legislative session, Beidle supported legislation to extend the state's tax on health insurance companies.[30]

Transportation[edit]

In June 2002, Beidle said she opposed a proposal to build a maglev line between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.[31] In April 2022, she introduced legislation that would make it more expensive for the Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail company to build the maglev line by requiring it to pay 25 percent of costs associated with acquiring land through condemnation to the jurisdiction where the land is located.[32]

In 2016, Beidle introduced legislation that would require the Maryland Department of Transportation to use a scoring system to determine which state transportation projects to fund.[33] The bill passed, but was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan; legislators overrode his veto later that year.[34]

During the 2020 legislative session, Beidle supported legislation to add citizen members to the state's Chesapeake Bay Bridge Reconstruction Advisory Group.[35]

Electoral history[edit]

Anne Arundel County Council District 1 Democratic primary election, 1998[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle 4,193 63.6
Democratic Gerald M. Wagner 2,396 36.4
Anne Arundel County Council District 1 election, 1998[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle 11,811 64.7
Republican Gerald P. Starr 6,420 35.2
Write-in 21 0.1
Anne Arundel County Council District 1 election, 2002[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle (incumbent) 12,465 64.8
Republican Bob Gouge 6,760 35.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 Democratic primary election, 2006[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Ann Love (incumbent) 8,035 33.8
Democratic Theodore Sophocleus (incumbent) 7,960 33.5
Democratic Pamela Beidle 7,745 32.6
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 election, 2006[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle 17,964 18.6
Democratic Mary Ann Love (incumbent) 17,697 18.3
Democratic Theodore Sophocleus (incumbent) 17,661 18.3
Republican Mark S. Chang 16,569 17.1
Republican Terry R. Gilleland Jr. (incumbent) 13,632 14.1
Republican Wayne Charles Smith 13,153 13.6
Write-in 75 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 election, 2010[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle (incumbent) 20,409 19.0
Democratic Theodore Sophocleus (incumbent) 18,947 17.7
Democratic Mary Ann Love (incumbent) 18,830 17.6
Republican Stephanie A. Hodges 17,477 16.3
Republican Wayne Smith 16,865 15.7
Republican David P. Starr 14,582 13.6
Write-in 123 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 32 election, 2014[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle (incumbent) 17,120 20.0
Democratic Mark S. Chang 15,904 18.6
Democratic Theodore J. Sophocleus (incumbent) 14,995 17.5
Republican Tim Walters 13,066 15.3
Republican Mark Angell 12,327 14.4
Republican Joseph Fioravante 12,012 14.0
Write-in 85 0.1
Maryland Senate District 32 Democratic primary election, 2018[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle 7,383 100.0
Maryland Senate District 32 election, 2018[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle 30,384 66.4
Republican John Grasso 15,306 33.4
Write-in 70 0.2
Maryland Senate District 32 election, 2022[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pamela Beidle (incumbent) 23,380 65.8
Republican Kimberly Ann June 12,103 34.0
Write-in 76 0.2

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pamela Beidle voter guide". The Washington Post. August 18, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Pamela G. Beidle, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 30, 2018). "Josh Kurtz: Are Hogan's Coattails Enough for GOP's 'Drive for Five' Senate Seats?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Goodman, Peter S. (November 4, 1998). "Anne Arundel County". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  5. ^ DeButts, Jimmy (August 28, 2017). "Beidle files for state Senate in Anne Arundel's District 32". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "GOP's 'Drive for Five' Stalls". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  7. ^ Cook, Chase; Davis, Phil (June 27, 2018). "Six things we learned from Anne Arundel's primary". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Thompson, Meghan (October 22, 2018). "Beidle-Grasso Senate Race Hearkens Back to 2016 White House Election". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 21, 2022). "Ferguson picks Griffith and Feldman to head two newly-reconstituted Senate panels; reshuffles committee rosters". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (October 10, 2023). "With committee chair's resignation, Ferguson makes changes to Senate leadership". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Yeager, Amanda (April 10, 2017). "Anne Arundel elected school board bill passes the General Assembly". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 3, 2019). "Senate Moves Forward on Kirwan Recommendations, Funding". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 29, 2021). "Senators Consider Sweeping Climate Bill - And More Modest Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  14. ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 19, 2019). "Fate of Handgun Board Unclear as Senate Panel Rejects Hogan Nominees". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  16. ^ "Calling Hogan's Vetoes: How'd We Do?". Maryland Matters. May 30, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  17. ^ "Legislation - SB1000". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 22, 2019). "Senate Votes Down Nominees to Handgun Review Board". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 28, 2019). "No aid-in-dying in Maryland this year: Bill fails with tie vote in Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  20. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 2, 2022). "Amid 'Staggering' Nursing Shortage, Lawmakers Target Price Gouging Concerns". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  21. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 11, 2022). "Patients and Doctors Love Telehealth, But Law Needs Updating, Lawmaker Says". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  22. ^ "Legislation - SB0386". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  23. ^ Cox, Erin; Wiggins, Ovetta (April 9, 2022). "Overriding Hogan, lawmakers expand abortion access, create paid leave". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  24. ^ Wagner, John (March 7, 2014). "How the Maryland House voted on legislation to raise the state's minimum wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  25. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 2, 2021). "Rifts Form Among Senate Democrats Over Police Transparency". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Wagner, John (February 17, 2012). "Md. same-sex marriage: How the House voted". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 24, 2021). "Senate Passes Bill to Decriminalize Hypodermic Needles, Other Drug Paraphernalia". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  28. ^ Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 20, 2023). "Republicans seek gas tax consistency, Democrats warn of a reckoning". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 30, 2022). "Roundup: Senate Passes Abortion Bill to Governor, Panel Backs Insurer Fee, Bill Honoring Slain Officer Amended". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  31. ^ Davenport, Christian (June 13, 2002). "Two Possible Routes For Maglev Rejected". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  32. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 6, 2022). "Maglev Foe Launches 11th Hour Bid to Impose New Costs on Rail Firm". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  33. ^ Hicks, Josh (February 16, 2016). "Md. Democrats announce transportation agenda". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Hicks, Josh (December 14, 2016). "Hogan proposes repeal of transportation-planning law he tried to block". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  35. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 19, 2020). "Bay Bridge Advisory Panel Likely to Add Citizen Members". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  36. ^ "Anne Arundel County, Maryland Primary Election Returns". Maryland State Archives.
  37. ^ "Anne Arundel County, Maryland General Election Returns". Maryland State Archives.
  38. ^ "Anne Arundel County, Maryland General Election Returns". Maryland State Archives.
  39. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 32". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  40. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 32". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  41. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  42. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  43. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  44. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  45. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.

External links[edit]

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