MARYLAND – Maryland Delegate Charles Otto passed away on Friday at age 61.
Otto had served as a Republican representing District 38A since 2011, which covered Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties. Otto was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, succeeding Carolyn J. Elmore.
Otto was born in Salisbury, Maryland, and graduated from Washington High School before attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He went on to graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science.
Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and County Councilman Josh Hastings took to social media to issue their condolences.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Delegate Charles Otto. We just saw him at our legislative breakfast and had such a great conversation about the upcoming session,” she wrote. “Sir, thank you for your leadership, all the laughs, and your unwavering support for our shore values and community. You will truly be missed.”
“Del. Charles Otto was a great man and a great friend,” said Hastings. “He was committed to the Eastern Shore like no other. Sad to hear of his passing.”
Otto served as the Deputy Minority Whip since 2013. Members and staff of the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in light of his passing.
“We are devastated by the loss of Delegate Charles Otto. He was our colleague, our friend, and, to many of us, our family. He was, in many ways, the heart of our Caucus. Delegate Otto was a dedicated public servant, committed to his constituents and to preserving our state’s agricultural heritage. A rarity in politics, Delegate Otto was never someone who was in love with his own voice. But when he spoke, he did so with heartfelt wisdom, and members listened, no matter their political party. He was unceasingly generous and hilariously funny. We were lucky to know him, to serve with him, and to call him our friend. We are grateful to his family for sharing him with us over these many years, and we send them our deepest condolences.”
House Speaker Adrienne Jones also issued her own statement on Otto’s passing, in part writing, “On behalf of the Maryland House of Delegates, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, constituents, and staff. He will be sorely missed by us all.”
Governor Moore extended his condolences as well, writing:
“Dawn and I send our prayers to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Delegate Otto. This was a man who loved Maryland to his core, fighting every day for his constituents and moving in good faith with partners in the General Assembly to deliver results. I had the privilege of spending time with Delegate Otto just a few weeks ago. We stood together to announce the completion of a historic broadband project, bringing high-speed internet to Smith Island for the first time. I saw in him then what so many have seen throughout his career—a fidelity to our state that could never waver, and a commitment to our people that could never fade. Delegate Otto and I may not have belonged to the same political party, but we could agree on this: Marylanders are always worth fighting for. We must carry that legacy forward, together.”
Otto’s cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
charles otto, Councilman Josh Hastings, county executive julie giordano, delegate charles otto, deputy minority whip, district 38a, house republican caucus, Julie Giordano, somerset, wicomico, worcester
