Member of Senate since January 1992. Member, Budget and Taxation Committee, 1999- (public safety, transportation, economic development & natural resources subcommittee, 1999; public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee, 2000; education, business & administration subcommittee, 2001-07; health, education & human resources subcommittee, 2008-). Member, Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee, 1992-98 (environment subcommittee); Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, 1992-2003; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1993-95; Executive Nominations Committee, 1995-98, 2003-06; Joint Audit Committee, 1999-2004; Rules Committee, 1999-2006; Legislative Policy Committee, 1999-2006; Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, 2003-06; Spending Affordability Committee, 2003-06; Special Committee on State Employee Rights and Protections, 2005-06. Minority Whip, 1998-2001. Minority Leader, September 27, 2001 to December 18, 2006. Member, Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2002; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002, 2003; Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Work Group, 2002-04; Special Commission on Legislative Prayer, 2003. Chair, Eastern Shore Delegation, 1995-98. Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-. Member, Conference of State Legislatures (agriculture & rural development committee).

Member, House of Delegates, January 1991 to January 1992, representing District 38 (Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester counties). Member, Economic Matters Committee, 1991-92; Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, 1991-92.
Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission, Somerset County, 1984-85 (member, 1980-84). Chair, Board of Zoning Appeals, Somerset County, 1985-90. Past member, Area Agency on Aging. Member, Commission to Save the Lighthouses, 1992-96; Governor's Pesticide Council, 1992-2003; Maryland Tourism Development Board, 1995-99; Forvm for Rural Maryland, 1996-2003; Special Committee to Study Issues Related to Class-Size Reduction, 1998-99; Study Panel to Review Economic Development Financing Programs, 1999; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999; Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development, 1999-2001; Aquaculture Advisory Committee, 1999-2005; Task Force on Resource-Based Industry in Maryland, 2000-02; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2001-; Governor-elect's Transition Team, 2002-03; Chesapeake Forest Citizens Advisory Committee, 2002-05; Transportation Task Force, 2003; Blue Crab Task Force, 2003-; Chesapeake Executive Council, 2004; State Planning Committee for Higher Education, 2004. Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2004 (member, 1997-2007; vice-chair, 2003). Co-Chair, Task Force on Traffic Capacity across the Chesapeake Bay, 2004-06. Member, Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2004-; Working Waterfront Commission, 2007-.

Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1949. Salisbury State College, B.A. (English & sociology), 1973; Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Plant nursery proprietor, farmer, and parochial school principal. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 2004. Member, Association of Christian Schools International. Member, Somerset County Farm Bureau; National Kraut Packers Association; Rehobeth Ruritan Club. Member, Holly Grove Mennonite Church. Married; four children.