D. Bruce Poole (born June 17, 1959) is the former chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party. He was formerly a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 2B, which covers Washington County, Maryland.

D. Bruce Poole
Poole at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
In office
2015 – March 2, 2017
Preceded byYvette Lewis
Succeeded byKathleen Matthews
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 2B district
In office
January 1995 – January 1999
Preceded byPeter G. Callas
Succeeded byChristopher B. Shank
Personal details
Born (1959-06-17) June 17, 1959 (age 65)
Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materWashington and Lee University (B.A., J.D.)

Poole was first elected to office in 1986 when he defeated Republican Ronald J. Stansbury for the seat in District 3A. In 1990, he captured 95% of the vote to maintain his seat.[1] In 1994, Poole narrowly won reelection by defeating Republican Richard D. Wiles by 66 votes. He was defeated in 1998 by Republican Christopher Shank.

Early life and education

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Poole was born and raised in Washington County. He attended North Hagerstown High School. In 1981, he received his B.A. from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He briefly attended the University of Melbourne before getting his J.D. from Washington and Lee in 1985.

Career

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Poole was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1985 and served as a trial lawyer for several years. He was the secretary of the Washington County Bar Association in 1986 and served as the first president of the United Democratic Club of Washington County.

In 1981, Poole was the recipient of the Rotary International Graduate Fellowship. He was the co-author of the Best Brief in Nation, Jessup International Moot Court Competition in 1984.

Poole is a partner in the Hagerstown, Maryland personal injury, family law and business law firm The Poole Law Group.

Following the 2014 elections in Maryland where the Democrats lost the governor's mansion, Poole was elected Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, succeeding Yvette Lewis.[2]

On March 1, 2017, after serving two years as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, Poole was succeeded by former news anchor and congressional candidate Kathleen Matthews.

Election results

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  • 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2B[3]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Christopher B. Shank, Rep. 4,873   51%    Won
D. Bruce Poole 4,626   49%    Lost
  • 1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2B[4]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
D. Bruce Poole, Dem. 4,219   50%    Won
Richard D. Wiles 4,143   50%    Lost

References

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  1. ^ .[1]
  2. ^ "MDP elects D. Bruce Poole as Interim Chair of the Party". Archived from the original on 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
  3. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Sept, 01 2007
  4. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Sept, 01 2007
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Party political offices
Preceded by
Yvette Lewis
Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
2015–2017
Succeeded by