Jay A. Jacobs (born January 28, 1953) is an American politician from the Republican Party who is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 36th district since 2011.
Jay Jacobs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 36th district | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2011 Serving with Steven J. Arentz, Jefferson L. Ghrist | |
| Preceded by | Mary Roe Walkup |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1953 West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dawn |
| Children | 2 |
Background
editJacobs was born on January 28, 1953, in West Palm Beach, Florida.[1] He graduated from Kent County High School.[2] Jacobs has owned his own business, Jay A. Jacobs Complete Kitchens and Baths LLC, since 1986.[3]
Jacobs served as the mayor of Rock Hall, Maryland, from 1999 to 2011.[2] He was mayor when Tropical Storm Isabel struck the fishing town in 2003, which damaged more than 100 buildings, including half of the town's motels and inns, and the town's public pier.[4][5]
In the legislature
editIn July 2009, Jacobs announced that he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 36,[6][3] seeking to succeed retiring state delegate Mary Roe Walkup.[7] He ran unopposed in the Republican primary election, and defeated Democratic nominee Arthur Hock in the general election in November 2010.[8] He was sworn in as a member of House of Delegates on January 12, 2011, and has served as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee during his entire tenure. Jacobs has also served as the chair of the House Republican Caucus since 2013.[2]
Personal life
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Jacobs is married to his wife, Dawn, who served as the mayor of Rock Hall, Maryland, from 2019 to 2023.[9] Together, they have two adult daughters.[10]
Political positions
editAgriculture
editIn 2011, Jacobs opposed legislation to ban menhaden oil products, suggesting that the state instead establish sanctuaries for menhaden.[11]
During the 2012 legislative session, Jacobs said he opposed legislation that would require the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to cover the costs of managing fisheries with fishing license fees.[12]
In 2014, Jacobs introduced legislation to allow the use of hydraulic dredges to catch clams south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.[13] In 2016, Jacobs introduced a bill that would allow hydraulic clamming south of the Verrazano Bridge.[14]
During the 2018 legislative session, Jacobs opposed legislation that would require the state to track air pollution from poultry farms.[15]
Education
editIn January 2020, Jacobs said he opposed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, citing its cost.[16] He later predicted that the Blueprint would require the state to raise taxes to fully implement, which would "stir up" voters.[17]
During the 2023 legislative session, Jacobs introduced legislation to provide voting rights to the student member of the Kent County Board Education.[18] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.[19]
Environment
editIn January 2012, Jacobs said he opposed Maryland's "Rain Tax".[20]
During the 2021 legislative session, Jacobs introduced a bill that would prohibit the state from entering into an agreement waiving its authority under the Clean Water Act relating the relicensure of the Conowingo Dam.[21]
Gun policy
editIn July 2012, Jacobs celebrated a federal court decision overturning the state's ban requiring gun owners to show "good or substantial reason" to open carry.[22] During the 2013 legislative session, he voted against the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[23]
Social issues
editDuring the 2012 legislative session, Jacobs voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland,[24] saying that he believed that "conventional marriage is opposite sex couples".[25]
In 2014, Jacobs said he supported a bill to ban the sale of extreme-strength liquors in Maryland.[26]
Taxes
editDuring the 2013 legislative session, Jacobs voted against a bill to index the state's gas tax to inflation to pay for transportation projects.[27]
Other issues
editIn January 2014, Jacobs said he opposed the legalization of cannabis in Maryland and a bill to raise the minimum wage, which he claimed would threaten businesses on the Eastern Shore.[28]
During the 2018 legislative session, Jacobs introduced, but later withdrew, legislation that would ban a proposed second Bay Bridge from being built in Kent County.[29]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mary Roe Walkup (incumbent) | 2,176 | 60.9 | |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 1,361 | 39.1 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 8,685 | 100.0 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Stephen S. Hershey Jr. | 32,364 | 26.9 | |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs | 26,979 | 22.4 | |
| Republican | Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (incumbent) | 26,295 | 21.8 | |
| Democratic | William C. Manlove | 17,453 | 14.5 | |
| Democratic | Arthur Hock | 16,472 | 13.7 | |
| Write-in | 970 | 0.8 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs (incumbent) | 33,579 | 29.7 | |
| Republican | Jefferson L. Ghrist | 27,259 | 24.1 | |
| Republican | Steven J. Arentz (incumbent) | 25,516 | 22.6 | |
| Democratic | Irving Pinder | 14,045 | 12.4 | |
| Democratic | Robert Alan Thornton Jr. | 12,184 | 10.8 | |
| Write-in | 313 | 0.3 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steven J. Arentz (incumbent) | 29,092 | 22.6 | |
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs (incumbent) | 28,897 | 22.5 | |
| Republican | Jefferson L. Ghrist (incumbent) | 27,087 | 21.1 | |
| Democratic | Crystal Woodward | 16,032 | 12.5 | |
| Democratic | Michael Ian Welker | 14,201 | 11.0 | |
| Democratic | Keirien Taylor | 13,246 | 10.3 | |
| Write-in | 72 | 0.1 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jay A. Jacobs (incumbent) | 36,249 | 32.9 | |
| Republican | Jefferson L. Ghrist (incumbent) | 35,640 | 32.3 | |
| Republican | Steven J. Arentz (incumbent) | 35,541 | 32.2 | |
| Write-in | 2,854 | 2.6 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Delegate Jay A. Jacobs". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jay A. Jacobs, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Surowiec, Konrad (July 30, 2009). "Rock Hall Mayor Jacobs seeks District 36 seat". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Zaneski, Cyril T. (September 23, 2003). "Extent of storm damage growing". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Guy, Chris; Wilson, Kimberly A. C. (September 24, 2003). "Owners on the Shore ponder whether to rehab or rebuild". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Simon (July 14, 2009). "Jacobs and Hock Run for Delegate Seat". The Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Wheelan, Dave (May 27, 2010). "Farewell Mary Roe". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Dresser, Michael (November 2, 2010). "General Assembly: First results for GOP". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Schenke, Leann (May 8, 2019). "Jacobs is mayor of Rock Hall, Jones and Collyer win seats on the council". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Mattix, Cheryl (January 13, 2011). "Jacobs enjoys first day in General Assembly". Cecil Whig. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Thomson, Candus (March 17, 2011). "Lawmakers, meet Mark Twain". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Wheeler, Tim (March 8, 2012). "Anglers, watermen spar over fishing fees". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (February 27, 2014). "Jacob's Oyster Dredging Bill Heads to Environmental Committee, CBF to Oppose". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Cox, Jeremy (February 23, 2016). "Bill would allow 'mechanical' clamming in Maryland". Delmarvanow. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Dance, Scott (February 9, 2018). "Fowl air? Lawmakers propose study to begin tracking air pollution from Maryland chicken farms". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (January 13, 2020). "Lawmakers Putting Brakes on Kirwan Funding, Hershey and Jacobs Say". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Brady, Mackenzie (December 8, 2022). "Kirwan a struggle for Kent County; 36th District delegation talks with Commissioners". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Zhu, Christine (February 14, 2023). "Maryland lawmakers introduce bills expanding student school board member voting rights". Capital News Service. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Legislation - HB0402". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (January 19, 2012). "Jacobs not Happy with New Flush Tax". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (June 17, 2021). "Environmentalists File Appeal to Reverse Relicensure of Conowingo Dam". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (July 25, 2012). "Smigiel Applauds Court Ruling Striking Down MD Handgun Law". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun. February 18, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (May 11, 2012). "Delegate Jacobs Discusses His Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Law". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (February 18, 2014). "University Officials Call for Ban on Extreme-Strength Booze, Jacobs Will Support". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Menefee, Daniel (January 9, 2014). "Two Shore Delegates Oppose Minimum Wage Hike, But Side with O'Malley and Busch on Pot". Chestertown Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Divilio, Daniel (February 12, 2018). "Jacobs drops bill opposing northern Bay crossing". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
External links
edit- "Delegate Jay A. Jacobs". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved November 6, 2023.