Casper R. Taylor Jr.

Casper R. Taylor Jr. (December 19, 1934 – April 24, 2023) was an American politician who served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1994 to 2003, amongst the longest Speaker's tenures in Maryland history. He also represented Districts 1C and 2A in the House of Delegates from 1975 to 2003.

Casper R. Taylor Jr.
Taylor in 1999
105th Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office
January 8, 1994 – January 8, 2003
Preceded byR. Clayton Mitchell Jr.
Succeeded byMichael E. Busch
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 1C district
In office
January 1995 – January 8, 2003
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byLeRoy E. Myers Jr.
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 2A district
In office
January 1975 – January 1995
Preceded byDistrict created[1]
Succeeded byRobert A. McKee
Personal details
Born(1934-12-19)December 19, 1934
Frostburg, Maryland, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 2023(2023-04-24) (aged 88)
Cumberland, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame
ProfessionLobbyist

Education

Taylor graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1956, where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC. He started out his career as a restaurant owner, and was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1974.

Career

Taylor is credited with helping to bring millions of dollars of state and private investments to the aid of his struggling district in Cumberland, including the state-backed Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort.[2] In the State House, Taylor authored many pieces of legislation over the course of his tenure, including the "One Maryland" bill, aimed at providing tax havens and other incentives for businesses to invest in depressed parts of the state.[3]

Taylor was first elected to the House of Delegates for the 1975 legislative session[4] to represent District 2A.[5] In the 1994 election, he successfully ran as delegate for the newly created District 1C.

Taylor served until 2003 after losing his seat in the 2002 election. His loss is generally attributed to redrawn legislative district lines that added four heavily Republican precincts in Washington County to his traditionally Democratic district based around Cumberland, and his support for some gun control laws, which were unpopular in the rural parts of his district.[6]

Taylor received numerous awards, including the Legislator Recognition Award from the Maryland Association of Counties in 1994 and 2001. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of Notre Dame in 2001, Frostburg State University in 2000, and Villa Julie College in 1995. He received the First Citizen Award from the Maryland Senate in 2003 and the Thomas Kennedy Award from the Maryland House of Delegates in 2004.

In June 2003, Taylor became a lobbyist and government relations consultant for the Alexander and Cleaver firm in Annapolis.[7] In January 2007, the new House of Delegates office building in Annapolis was named after Taylor.[8] In May 2022, the Baltimore Street Bridge in Cumberland, Maryland, was named after Taylor.[9]

Death

Taylor died at his home in Cumberland, Maryland, on April 24, 2023, at the age of 88.[10] On April 29, Governor Wes Moore ordered state flags to fly at half-staff in Taylor's honor.[11]

Election results
  • 2002 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 01C[12]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
LeRoy E. Myers Jr., Rep. 5,657   50.3%    Won
Casper R. Taylor, Dem. 5,581   49.6%    Lost
  • 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 01C[13]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Casper R. Taylor Jr., Dem. 6,205   70%    Won
Eileen Brinker Steele, Rep. 2,648   30%    Lost
  • 1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 01C[14]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Casper R. Taylor Jr., Dem. 5,928   100%    Won
  • 1990 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2A[15]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Casper R. Taylor Jr., Dem. 4,116   65%    Won
Robert L. Lewis, Rep. 2,194   35%    Lost
  • 1986 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2A[16]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Casper R. Taylor Jr., Dem. 3,533   59%    Won
James M. Roby, Rep. 2,431   41%    Lost

Citations
  1. "Maryland State Archives, General Assembly intro". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  2. Ruane, Michael E. (April 18, 1998). "Legislator Is a Redevelopment Engine". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  3. Pierre, Robert E. (January 17, 1999). "For State House Speaker, a Change of Focus; Taylor's 'One Maryland' Vision Shuns Partisanship to Seek More Common Ground". The Washington Post.
  4. "GAM-Former Delegate Casper R. Taylor, Jr". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. November 15, 2016. Archived from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  5. "House of Delegates, Legislative District 2". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999.
  6. Mosk, Matthew (November 6, 2002). "Taylor Appears Beaten". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  7. "Casper R. Taylor, Jr". Alexander & Cleaver, P.A. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  8. Smith, Maria (January 12, 2007). "Building named for Cas". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  9. Glass, Brandon (May 23, 2022). "Baltimore Street bridge renamed for Casper R. Taylor Jr". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  10. Larry, Greg (April 24, 2023). "Former businessman, delegate, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. dies at 88". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  11. "State flags to fly at half-staff in Taylor's honor". Cumberland Times-News. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  12. "2002 Gubernatorial Election". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2002. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  13. "1998 Gubernatorial Election". Maryland State Board of Elections. October 24, 2000. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  14. "1994 Gubernatorial Election". Maryland State Board of Elections. February 6, 2001. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  15. "1990 Gubernatorial Election". Maryland State Board of Elections. June 14, 2001. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  16. "1986 Gubernatorial Election - House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. August 17, 2001. Retrieved November 3, 2007.

References
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