Wikipedia

J. B. Jennings

Jonathan Bartlett Jennings (born March 27, 1974) is an American politician and farmer who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate representing the seventh district since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003 to 2011, and served as the minority leader of the Senate from 2014 to 2020.

J. B. Jennings
Jennings, c. 2015
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 12, 2011
Preceded byAndy Harris
Minority Leader of the Maryland Senate
In office
November 12, 2014 – October 10, 2020
Preceded byDavid R. Brinkley
Succeeded byBryan Simonaire
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 7th district
In office
January 8, 2003 – January 12, 2011
Preceded byJacob Mohorovic
Succeeded byKathy Szeliga
Personal details
Born
Jonathan Bartlett Jennings

(1974-03-27) March 27, 1974 (age 50)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMichelle Slusher
Children2
EducationEssex Community College (AA)
University of Baltimore (BS)
Signature
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service2008–present
RankAirman 1st Class
UnitMaryland Air National Guard

Early life, education, and career

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Jonathan Bartlett Jennings[1] was born in Baltimore on March 27, 1974.[2] He grew up in Phoenix, Maryland,[3] and graduated from Dulaney High School, and later attended Essex Community College, where he earned an associate degree in 1995, and the University of Baltimore, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1997.[2]

Jennings worked as a full-time Black Angus cattle farmer from 1992 to 2008, becoming a part-time beef and horse farmer after joining the Maryland Air National Guard.[4][5][6] As an Airman 1st Class, he was activated for military service at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia during his first term as a state senator in 2011, causing him to miss the entire session.[7][8] Jennings also co-owns the Mill of Hereford, an animal feed store,[2] owns his own consulting company,[9] and serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company.[2]

Jennings first became involved in politics as a staff assistant to U.S. Representative Bob Ehrlich from 1997 to 1998.[2]

In the legislature

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Jennings ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2002, on a platform that included issues involving school crowding and over-development.[10] He was sworn in on January 8, 2003. He served as a member of the Environmental Matters Committee and as a deputy minority whip from 2003 to 2006, afterwards serving in the Ways and Means Committee from 2007 to 2009 and the Judiciary Committee from 2009 to 2011.[2]

In October 2009, after state senator Andy Harris announced that he would run for Congress in Maryland's 1st congressional district in 2010, Jennings entered the race to succeed him.[11] In the Republican primary election, he faced former Maryland Insurance Commissioner Alfred W. Redmer Jr.,[3] whom he defeated with 61 percent of the vote.[12]

 
Jennings in the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2023

Jennings was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 12, 2011. He served as a member of the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee from 2011 to 2015, afterwards serving in the Finance Committee until 2023, when he was assigned to the Budget and Taxation Committee.[2] In November 2014, after Senate minority leader David R. Brinkley was defeated in the Republican primary election, Senate Republicans voted to elect Jennings as the next minority leader. In this capacity, he pushed for legislation introduced by Governor Larry Hogan, which were generally business-friendly and against tax increases.[13][14] Jennings served in this position until October 2020, when he opted against running for reelection.[15]

 
Jennings shakes hands with Governor Wes Moore at Ropewalk, 2023

During the annual Maryland Association of Counties conference in Ocean City, Jennings hosts an annual "gathering in the sand" at the Ropewalk restaurant. The bipartisan gathering has become one of the most popular events during the annual conference.[16][17][18]

Jennings was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention, pledged to businessman Donald Trump.[2][19] In an interview with The Baltimore Sun following Maryland's presidential primaries, he said that he was "neutral" in the presidential election and held concerns about Trump and his communication style, but said he would support him as the party's nominee.[20]

Personal life

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Jennings is married to his wife, Michelle Slusher.[21] Together, they have two children[2] and live in Joppa, Maryland.[3] In 2000, Jennings won in the White Marlin Open after reeling in a 158-pound shark, for which he was awarded $6,500.[22][23]

In 2008, Jennings lost 51 pounds (20 kg) to enlist in the Maryland Air National Guard.[4]

Political positions

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Agriculture

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During the 2009 legislative session, Jennings introduced legislation to allow farmers to sell raw milk to consumers who buy a "cow share".[5]

Crime

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During the 2020 legislative session, Jennings voted against overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto of a bill that prevented businesses from asking job applicants about their criminal history before the first in-person interview.[24] He also introduced a bill that would allow the governor to declare a state of emergency in Baltimore amid its high crime rates.[25]

Education

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During the 2013 legislative session, Jennings was one of five Republicans to vote for a bill to provide $1 billion toward renovations to Baltimore public schools.[26]

In March 2017, Jennings launched a filibuster against a bill to prohibit the state from using vouchers to improve struggling schools, during which he attempted to read off every page of the Every Student Succeeds Act. The filibuster was ended by Senate Democrats after an hour.[27]

During the 2019 legislative session, Jennings opposed a bill that would restore control over school calendars to local boards of education, overturning an earlier executive order by Governor Larry Hogan that mandated a post-Labor Day start for school districts.[28]

In September 2019, Jennings expressed concern with the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Funding Formula Workgroup—which was tasked with developing funding formulas for local school systems—was creating its formulas behind closed doors, saying that it would make people "lose trust in government".[29] During the 2020 legislative session, he initially said that he would be willing to negotiate the education reforms proposed in the Blueprint for Maryland's Future[30] and vowed to oppose any potential tax increases to pay for the reforms,[31] but later said that legislators should delay passing the bill into the next year amid uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.[32] During debate on the bill, he introduced an amendment to minimize student-to-teacher ratios in public schools, which was adopted by the Senate.[33]

Gambling

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Jennings supports the expansion of gambling in Maryland, but voted against a bill in 2007 to create a statewide referendum on establishing casinos at five locations in the state, which he called "the hardest vote" he ever had to take.[34]

Gun policy

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Jennings opposes gun control laws, instead preferring reforms to mental health services.[35]

During the 2013 legislative session, after a student was suspended for two days for making a gun-shaped pastry, Jennings introduced a bill to ban schools from suspending children who make gun gestures.[36] He also opposed the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles, and attended a rally outside the Maryland State House to protest the legislation.[37]

In 2019, after a staff member was shot inside Frederick Douglass High School, Jennings introduced a bill to allow school resource officers to carry guns inside school buildings.[38]

Health care

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Jennings supports providing full funding for the state's trauma care system, saying that he would put "everything on the table", including raising taxes, to increase funding for the services.[39] He supports the decriminalization of marijuana[40] and voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2014.[41]

In 2018, Jennings supported a bill to impose a new tax on health insurers to help stabilize the state's healthcare marketplace.[42]

During the 2021 legislative session, Jennings supported a bill banning medical debt collection agencies from garnishing the wages or placing liens on homes of people who owed medical debt, and limiting payments made toward medical debt at five percent of a person's income.[43]

Social issues

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During the 2006 legislative session, Jennings voted to overturn a committee vote to kill a bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to ban same-sex marriage in Maryland. The measure failed in a 61–78 vote.[44] In 2012, he voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.[45] In 2019, during debate on a bill to allow residents to apply to a driver's license with the "X" gender identifier, Jennings expressed concern that the bill would cause confusion for police officers.[46]

During the 2016 legislative session, Jennings expressed skepticism toward proposals to adopt automatic voter registration in Maryland.[47] In June 2020, he wrote a letter to the Maryland State Board of Elections following Maryland's June 2 primary election, which was conducted largely using mail-in ballots, to express concern about potential voter fraud if mail-in ballots were used in the general election.[48]

In 2018, Jennings criticized legislation to repeal "Maryland, My Maryland" as the state's official anthem as a "participation trophy bill", instead favoring a bill to replace the anthem's controversial pro-Confederate lyrics.[49] During debate on the bill, he introduced an amendment to remove the bill's preamble, which called the song's lyrics "controversial, inappropriate, and do not represent the ideals and values of Marylanders today", which was rejected in a 25–21 vote.[50]

Taxes

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Jennings has described himself as a "guy who hates taxes".[39] During the 2015 legislative session, he supported proposals by Governor Larry Hogan to repeal Maryland's "Rain Tax" and to create tax exemptions for businesses and retired service members.[51]

Transportation

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During the 2017 legislative session, Jennings supported legislation to repeal a law that required the state to use a scoring system to decide which transportation projects to prioritize, arguing that the system would cause urban transit projects to be prioritized over rural road projects.[52]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 7 Republican primary election, 2002[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat McDonough 3,191 16.9
Republican J. B. Jennings 3,191 16.9
Republican Rick Impallaria 2,594 13.7
Republican Sheryl L. Davis-Kohl 2,473 13.1
Republican Michael J. Davis 2,079 11.0
Republican Dilip B. Paliath 1,883 10.0
Republican Christopher Saffer 1,851 9.8
Republican Jackie Bailey 1,708 9.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 7 election, 2002[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings 22,470 20.4
Republican Pat McDonough 20,869 18.9
Republican Rick Impallaria 18,749 17.0
Democratic Nancy M. Hubers 17,092 15.5
Democratic Donna M. Felling 14,205 12.9
Democratic Randy Cogar 13,926 12.6
Libertarian Michael F. Linder 2,817 2.6
Write-in 80 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 7 election, 2006[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat McDonough (incumbent) 23,184 20.3
Republican Rick Impallaria (incumbent) 21,333 18.7
Republican J. B. Jennings (incumbent) 21,189 18.6
Democratic Linda W. Hart 17,122 15.0
Democratic Jack Sturgill 15,390 13.5
Democratic Rebecca L. Nelson 13,481 11.8
Green Kim Fell 2,307 2.0
Write-in 83 0.1
Maryland Senate District 7 Republican primary election, 2010[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings 5,547 61.0
Republican Alfred W. Redmer Jr. 3,547 39.0
Maryland Senate District 7 election, 2010[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings 28,890 65.9
Democratic Rebecca Weir Nelson 14,848 33.9
Write-in 117 0.2
Maryland Senate District 7 election, 2014[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings (incumbent) 36,913 74.6
Democratic Kim Letke 12,502 25.3
Write-in 46 0.1
Maryland Senate District 7 election, 2018[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings (incumbent) 40,070 66.9
Democratic Donna Hines 19,780 33.0
Write-in 69 0.1
Maryland Senate District 7 election, 2022[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. B. Jennings (incumbent) 37,513 96.0
Write-in 1,555 4.0

References

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  1. ^ "Maryland Senate 2015 financial disclosure statements". Daily Record. 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "J. B. Jennings, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Hill, Raven L. (September 10, 2010). "Former Ehrlich insurance commissioner, aide face off for state Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Sorry, Bossy, but country comes first". The Baltimore Sun. August 17, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Cohn, Meredith (February 16, 2009). "Got (raw) milk?". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Anderson, David (January 10, 2020). "State Sen. Jason Gallion, a full-time farmer in Harford County, considers himself a 'throwback'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Bykowicz, Julie (January 27, 2011). "State senator to miss session for military training". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Jennings among those honored by Senate". The Baltimore Sun. February 2, 2011. pp. A9. Retrieved August 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Dresser, Michael (May 27, 2016). "Jennings was aboard private jet that took Pugh to Las Vegas". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Eight candidates from each party in 7th District primary". The Baltimore Sun. September 5, 2002. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Hare, Mary Gail (October 9, 2009). "Smith's move fuels talk of run". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Linskey, Annie (September 15, 2010). "Ferguson topples Baltimore Senator Della". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Wagner, John (November 13, 2014). "Senate Republicans in Maryland turn to Jennings, Shank to lead caucus". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Wood, Pamela (October 10, 2020). "Maryland GOP senators elect new, more conservative leaders". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Kurtz, Josh (October 7, 2020). "Shakeup Hits Senate Republican Caucus". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  16. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 13, 2019). "MACo Preview: Still Crazy After All These Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Dresser, Michael (August 18, 2016). "Republican senators' reception in Ocean City draws a ton of Democrats". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 16, 2023). "Thousands flocking to Ocean City for the annual MACo confab". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Dresser, Michael (May 12, 2016). "Ehrlich, former Kasich backer, endorses Trump to defeat Clinton". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Dresser, Michael (April 30, 2016). "Republicans in Maryland split on whether to rally around Donald Trump". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ehrlich baby's gift list". The Baltimore Sun. April 26, 2004. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  22. ^ "Biggest white marlin not richest OC prize". The Baltimore Sun. August 12, 2000. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Prusak, Dave (August 12, 2000). "Blue outshines white in Open". The Daily Times. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 31, 2020). "How the Veto Override Votes Went Down in the House and Senate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Barker, Jeff; Wood, Pamela (March 3, 2020). "Governor could declare state of emergency over Baltimore crime under proposed bill from Republican lawmaker". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Dresser, Michael (29 March 2013). "City schools construction bill clears Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  27. ^ Cox, Erin (March 28, 2017). "Despite veto threat, Maryland lawmakers send Hogan bill to limit school reforms". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  28. ^ Wood, Pamela (February 12, 2019). "Maryland Senate approves bill to undo Gov. Hogan's order to start school after Labor Day". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  29. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (September 19, 2019). "Kirwan Panel Crunching Ed Funding Formulas – Behind Closed Doors". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  30. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 8, 2020). "A History-Making Day". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  31. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (January 5, 2020). "Education is top priority for Maryland General Assembly leaders, who pledge reforms without a big tax increase". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 14, 2020). "Legislators Narrowing Priorities Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  33. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 17, 2020). "Senate Passes Education Blueprint in Midnight Vote". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  34. ^ Green, Andrew A. (November 16, 2007). "House slots vote is expected today". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  35. ^ Dance, Scott (July 2, 2018). "Maryland's strict gun laws could not prevent Capital Gazette shooting, spurring talk of changes". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Burris, Joe (March 20, 2013). "Jennings says bill responds to student's gun-shaped pastry incident". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  37. ^ Anderson, David (March 6, 2013). "Harford legislators fighting to stop gun control bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  38. ^ Broadwater, Luke (February 13, 2019). "Maryland Republicans from suburbs push to allow Baltimore school police to carry guns inside buildings". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Brown, Danielle J. (August 24, 2023). "As MSP expands ability to treat patients with 'blood on board' choppers, officials stress need for improved trauma care funding". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Smith, Van (April 20, 2015). "The Maryland GOP on Pot: Free State Republicans have been warming to marijuana reform, but support for legalization so far remains a pipe dream". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  41. ^ Anderson, David (August 17, 2017). "No licenses yet for Harford medical marijuana dispensaries". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  42. ^ Dance, Scott (April 4, 2018). "Maryland legislature approves plan to stabilize state's Obamacare market with new tax on insurers". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  43. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 25, 2021). "Consumer Groups Say Medical Debt Bill Is a First Step, But More Is Needed". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  44. ^ Brewington, Kelly (February 4, 2006). "House rejects reviving gay marriage measure". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  45. ^ Gallo, Marissa (February 21, 2012). "Harford's delegates vote against same-sex marriage bill". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  46. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 20, 2019). "Senate Gives Preliminary Approval To "X" on Driver's Licenses". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  47. ^ Cox, Erin (December 10, 2015). "Md. leaders consider 'universal' voting registration". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  48. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (June 26, 2020). "Advocates Challenge State Senate GOP Opposition to November Mail-In Election". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  49. ^ Dresser, Michael; Dance, Scott (March 16, 2018). "Senators pass bill stripping 'Maryland, My Maryland' of 'official' status". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  50. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 15, 2018). "'Maryland, My Maryland'? Maybe not. Senate bill aims to strip state song of 'official' status". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  51. ^ Cox, Erin; Dresser, Michael; Wheeler, Timothy B. (February 4, 2015). "Hogan proposes tax relief in four areas". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  52. ^ Anderson, David (January 18, 2017). "End to 'road-kill bill' remains top priority for most, but not all, Harford legislators in 2017 session". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  53. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 07". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. March 19, 2003.
  54. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2002.
  55. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 07". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections.
  56. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  57. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  58. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  59. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  60. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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Maryland Senate
Preceded by Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 7th district
2011–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Maryland Senate
2014–2021 		Succeeded by
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