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William J. Wivell

Summary

William Joseph Wivell (born June 9, 1964) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 2A since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he was previously a member of the Washington County Board of Commissioners from 1998 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015.

William Wivell
Wivell in 2020
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 2A district
Assumed office
March 16, 2015
Serving with William Valentine
Appointed byLarry Hogan
Preceded byAndrew A. Serafini
Personal details
Born
William Joseph Wivell

(1964-06-09) June 9, 1964 (age 59)
Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRobin Lynne
Residence(s)Smithsburg, Maryland, U.S.

Early life and career edit

Wivell was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on June 9, 1964. He attended Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg, Maryland and graduated from Hagerstown Community College with a A.A. degree in 1984. He later graduated from Shepherd University with a B.A. in 1986, and from Mount Saint Mary's University with an M.B.A. in 1991.[1] Wivell currently works as a business administrator at the St. James School.[2]

In 1998, Wivell was elected to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, where he served until he retired in 2010 to "take a break from public life to focus on other things".[3] In 2008, he applied to fill a vacancy in the Maryland House of Delegates following the resignation of Robert A. McKee.[4] Wivell was re-elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2014,[5] where he served until Governor Larry Hogan appointed him to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates in February 2015, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of delegate Andrew A. Serafini to serve in the Maryland Senate.[6]

Wivell is an endowment life member of the National Rifle Association.[1]

In the legislature edit

Wivell was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on March 16, 2015.[7] He was a member of the Appropriations Committee from 2015 to 2016, afterwards serving on the Environment and Transportation Committee until 2022. Since 2023, Wivell has served on the Economic Matters Committee.[1]

In January 2020, Wivell was named as the co-chairman of the Washington County Trump Leadership team.[8]

In August 2020, following the resignation of state Senator Andrew A. Serafini, Wivell applied to fill the vacancy he left in the Maryland Senate.[9] The Washington County Republican Central Committee and Governor Larry Hogan would end up nominating delegate Paul D. Corderman to fill the vacancy.[10]

In October 2021, Wivell was one of five Maryland state legislators from Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties who sent a pair of letters to West Virginia officials asking about annexation of Western Maryland to West Virginia.[11][12] These letters caused a local uproar, with Allegany County officials calling the request a political stunt, an embarrassment and unneeded distraction.[13] Following criticism from local officials and some constituents, Delegate Jason Buckel and State Senator George Edwards issued a letter withdrawing support for the secession proposal.[14]

Personal life edit

Wivell is married to his wife, Robin (née Lynne),[15] who unsuccessfully ran for the Washington County Board of Commissioners in 2010[16] and briefly ran for the Washington County Board of Education in 2016.[17]

Political positions edit

Development initiatives edit

During the 2017 legislative session, Wivell introduced a bill to provide sales tax exemptions for development at Fort Ritchie.[18] In March 2017, he voted against legislation to dissolve the PenMar Development Corporation, a state-owned company tasked with redeveloping Fort Ritchie.[19]

Education edit

During the 2020 legislative session, Wivell introduced a bill that would require state colleges to accept 100- and 200-level course credits from community colleges.[20] In 2021, he expressed concerns with the Blueprint for Maryland's Future's costs having voted against the bill during the 2020 legislative session[21] and to sustain Governor Larry Hogan's veto of the education reform bill.[22]

Gun policy edit

Wivell supports the Second Amendment[23] and opposes gun control laws, instead favoring legislation to improve mental health treatment.[24] In 2018, following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, he voted against bills to ban bump stocks and rapid fire trigger activators.[25]

Marijuana edit

During the 2018 legislative session, Wivell introduced legislation that would ban medical marijuana in jails.[26][27] The bill died in committee, and was subsequently reintroduced in 2019[28] and 2020.[29]

Policing edit

During the 2017 legislative session, Wivell opposed a bill that would prohibit police from asking detainees about their immigration status, which he said would put Marylanders "at risk".[30]

In 2019, Wivell introduced a bill that would make polygraph tests optional when hiring state correctional officers.[31]

Social issues edit

Wivell opposes state funding for abortions.[32] During the 2017 legislative session, he introduced legislation that would place restrictions on late-term abortions,[18] including a bill that would ban "dismemberment abortion" with exemptions for life of the mother.[33] During the 2022 legislative session, during debate on the Abortion Care Access Act, Wivell introduced an amendment that would remove $3.5 million in state funding for clinician training, instead requiring taxpayers to check off on their taxes if they want to contribute to the funds. The amendment was rejected in a 39-87 vote.[34] In 2023, during debate on a bill creating a statewide referendum on enshrining Roe v. Wade into the state constitution, he proposed amendments that would require the constitution to guarantee constitutional rights to the "preborn", and another that would limit the bill to cover only abortions instead of all reproductive health. Both amendments were rejected by the House of Delegates.[35][36]

During the 2018 legislative session, Wivell supported a resolution endorsing a national convention to create a constitutional amendment on congressional term limits.[37]

In 2021, Wivell introduced a bill that would remove party affiliation from absentee ballot envelopes. The bill passed the House of Delegates, but did not receive a vote in the Senate. It was reintroduced in 2022.[38]

During the 2023 legislative session, Wivell was one of two state delegates to vote against the Maryland Child Victims Act, a bill that would abolish the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases.[39]

Taxes edit

During the 2020 legislative session, Wivell introduced a bill that would decouple the state's tax code with the federal tax code.[40]

Transportation edit

Wivell supports the widening of Interstate 81.[41]

During the 2017 legislative session, Wivell introduced legislation to ban tree planting alongside rights of ways along agriculturally-zoned properties.[42]

In February 2017, Wivell voted against a bill that would make it illegal to block a four-way intersection.[43]

During the 2018 legislative session, Wivell introduced bills that would allow adults to ride scooters without helmets and to end mandatory emissions testing for low-mileage vehicles.[44]

In 2019, Wivell introduced legislation that would require speed cameras to display your speed as a car approaches.[45]

During the 2023 legislative session, Wivell introduced a bill that would allow municipalities to enforce laws against driving dirt bikes on public roads.[46]

Electoral history edit

Washington County Board of Commissioners Republican primary election, 1998[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory I. Snook (incumbent) 5,264 15.2
Republican John P. Corderman 3,977 11.5
Republican William J. Wivell 3,931 11.3
Republican John S. Shank (incumbent) 3,215 9.3
Republican Mary L. Kline 3,154 9.1
Republican John C. Munson 3,143 9.1
Republican Clinton H. Wiley 3,139 9.1
Republican Andrew P. Thomas 2,247 6.5
Republican Dennis L. Duffey 1,505 4.3
Republican Timothy Allen Bonds 1,408 4.1
Republican Albino Jaime Trujillo 1,211 3.5
Republican William M. Hornbarger II 1,210 3.5
Republican Joseph Hurd Walker 853 2.5
Republican Alfred G. Lane 400 1.2
Washington County Board of Commissioners election, 1998[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory I. Snook (incumbent) 18,277 12.2
Democratic Paul L. Swartz (incumbent) 15,645 10.4
Republican William J. Wivell 15,571 10.4
Democratic John Lewis Schnebly 15,010 10.0
Independent Bert Iseminger 13,574 9.0
Democratic Susan T. Tuckwell 13,374 8.9
Democratic Ronald L. Bowers 13,207 8.8
Republican Mary L. Kline 12,011 8.8
Republican John P. Corderman 11,682 7.8
Democratic Linda C. Irvin-Craig 11,505 7.8
Republican John S. Shank (incumbent) 10,267 6.8
Washington County Board of Commissioners election, 2002[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory I. Snook (incumbent) 22,578 13.4
Republican William J. Wivell (incumbent) 21,518 12.8
Republican James F. Kercheval (incumbent) 19,859 11.8
Republican Doris J. Nipps 18,273 10.9
Republican John C. Munson 18,273 10.9
Democratic Paul L. Swartz (incumbent) 15,615 9.3
Democratic Bert Iseminger (incumbent) 15,242 9.1
Democratic Jim Brown 15,126 9.0
Democratic J. Herbert Hardin 12,967 7.7
Democratic Constance S. Cramer 9,701 5.8
Write-in 137 0.1
Washington County Board of Commissioners election, 2006[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John F. Barr 23,041 12.8
Republican Terry Baker 20,714 11.5
Republican William J. Wivell (incumbent) 20,105 11.2
Republican James F. Kercheval (incumbent) 19,419 10.8
Democratic Kristin B. Aleshire 18,557 10.3
Democratic Donna L. Brightman 16,717 9.3
Democratic Paul L. Swartz 16,239 9.0
Republican John Munson 16,195 9.0
Democratic N. Linn Hendershot 14,610 8.1
Democratic J. Herbert Hardin 14,474 8.0
Write-in 179 0.1
Washington County Board of Commissioners Republican primary election, 2014[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Baker (incumbent) 6,082 15.8
Republican LeRoy E. Myers Jr. 4,808 12.5
Republican Jeff Cline (incumbent) 4,763 12.4
Republican John F. Barr (incumbent) 4,644 12.0
Republican William Joseph Wivell 4,471 11.6
Republican Ruth Anne Callaham (incumbent) 3,691 9.6
Republican Bill McKinley (incumbent) 3,626 9.4
Republican Ed Forrest 2,590 6.7
Republican John Munson 2,134 5.5
Republican Rodney Pearson, Sr. 1,743 4.5
Washington County Board of Commissioners election, 2014[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Baker (incumbent) 26,515 16.5
Republican Jeff Cline (incumbent) 24,319 15.1
Republican John F. Barr (incumbent) 24,119 15.0
Republican LeRoy Myers 22,655 14.1
Republican William Joseph Wivell 22,280 13.8
Democratic Ronald L. Bowers 13,363 8.3
Democratic Brian Beall 10,589 6.6
Democratic Paul F. Miller 9,039 5.6
Democratic Millard H. Miller, Jr. 7,769 4.8
Write-in 264 0.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 2A Republican primary election, 2018[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neil Parrott (incumbent) 4,607 53.4
Republican William Joseph Wivell (incumbent) 4,019 46.6
Maryland House of Delegates District 2A election, 2018[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neil Parrott (incumbent) 22,422 40.0
Republican William Joseph Wivell (incumbent) 19,453 34.7
Green Andrew J. Barnhart 7,371 13.1
Green Charlotte McBrearty 6,683 11.9
Write-in 141 0.3
Maryland House of Delegates District 2A election, 2022[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Valentine 19,839 49.59
Republican William J. Wivell 19,458 48.64
Write-in 711 1.78

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "William J. Wivell, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. December 22, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Parasiliti, Bob (October 2, 2020). "Lawmakers urge Washington Co. Public Schools to start fall sports". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  3. ^ Lovelace, C. J. (April 24, 2014). "Former commissioner a proponent of Washington County 'living within its means'". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. ^ Olson, Brad (February 25, 2008). "19 candidates file in Washington County". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Lovelace, C. J. (December 2, 2014). "New Washington County commissioners sworn in, quickly make changes". The Herald-Mail. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Aines, Don (March 13, 2015). "Hogan names Wivell to fill vacant House seat". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  7. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (March 16, 2015). "Three new delegates are sworn into the Maryland House". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2022.(subscription required)
  8. ^ Baker, Tamela (January 26, 2020). "Maryland GOP announces Trump campaign leaders". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Green, Julie E. (August 5, 2020). "Corderman, Wivell confirm interest in Senate seat". The Herald-Mail. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  10. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 27, 2020). "Hogan Wastes No Time Filling Washington Co. State Senate Seat". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  11. ^ Wood, Pamela (October 22, 2021). "Western Maryland lawmakers ask West Virginia officials to 'consider adding us' to their state". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via MSN.
  12. ^ Gawel, Anna (October 22, 2021). "West Virginia governor would welcome 3 Western Md. counties with 'open arms'". WTOP-FM. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "President Shade Comments, Oct.21, 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting RE Letter to State of WV". Allegany County Government. October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Edwards, Buckel withdraw support for secession efforts". WCBC (AM). October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  15. ^ Lovelace, C. J. (March 1, 2016). "Wivell 'unofficially withdraws' from BOE race". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Greene, Julie E. (February 3, 2016). "Bruchey files to run for Hagerstown mayor again". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Greene, Julie E. (June 15, 2016). "Wivell officially withdraws from school board race". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Lawmakers discuss General Assembly plans". The Herald-Mail. January 7, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "Bill to dissolve PenMar passes Md. House without Wivell's vote". The Herald-Mail. March 2, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Baker, Tamela (March 11, 2020). "House committee hears plea for community college credits". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Fitzpatrick, Alexis (August 10, 2019). "Kirwan in the classroom: Students, parents shouldn't expect drastic changes as new law takes effect". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  22. ^ O'Neill, Madeleine (February 8, 2021). "Maryland House overrides Hogan's veto of Kirwan school funding bill". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "General Election Q&A with William Wivell, candidate for House of Delegates, District 2A". The Herald-Mail. October 19, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Baker, Tamela (February 1, 2020). "House debate highlights difficulties with gun bills". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  25. ^ "Most Washington Co. lawmakers vote against gun-control bills seen as too restrictive". The Herald-Mail. April 7, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  26. ^ "Bill would outlaw medical marijuana at Washington County's detention center". The Herald-Mail. March 1, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  27. ^ "Bill expanded to exempt all Maryland jails from medical marijuana program". The Herald-Mail. March 8, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  28. ^ "Effort to prohibit medical marijuana in Maryland's local jails faces obstacles". The Herald-Mail. February 26, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  29. ^ Baker, Tamela (February 20, 2020). "Wivell presses bill to ban medical marijuana in jails". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "Washington County lawmakers stand against Md. 'sanctuary' bill". The Herald-Mail. March 23, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  31. ^ "Lawmakers ponder change to polygraph requirement for correctional officers". The Herald-Mail. January 22, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Washington County lawmakers oppose state funding for Planned Parenthood". The Herald-Mail. March 8, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "Wivell looks at new bills while revisiting older issues". The Herald-Mail. January 4, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  34. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 10, 2022). "After Republican Amendment Attempts, House Moves Forward with Abortion Access Bills". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  35. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 13, 2023). "Bill to protect abortion under Maryland constitution escapes House floor amendments". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  36. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 8, 2023). "Abortion rights amendment to state constitution clears hurdle in the House". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  37. ^ Lovelace, C. J. (February 5, 2018). "Maryland House resolution seeks convention of states to discuss term limits". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  38. ^ Bateman, Madison (February 19, 2022). "Carroll County legislators join other Republicans to introduce package of election safeguard bills in General Assembly". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  39. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 31, 2023). "Child Victims Act passes the Maryland House of Delegates, nears governor's desk". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  40. ^ Baker, Tamela (February 12, 2020). "Serafini argues for 'decoupling' state and federal tax codes". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  41. ^ "What does the infrastructure bill mean for Maryland? Officials want to widen all of I-81". The Herald-Mail. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  42. ^ "Md. House of Delegates passes Wivell bill limiting road tree-planting". The Herald-Mail. March 22, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  43. ^ "Md. bill could make blocking four-way intersection illegal". Daily Record. February 21, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  44. ^ "Md. House committee hears Wivell's bills to lift vehicle restrictions". The Herald-Mail. February 9, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  45. ^ "Wivell wants to display your speed in camera zones". The Herald-Mail. March 1, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  46. ^ Weingarten, Dwight A. (March 3, 2023). "Dirt bikes on Maryland streets: Road toward solution from Annapolis filled with obstacles". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  47. ^ "Washington County, Maryland - Primary Election Returns 1998". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  48. ^ "Washington County, Maryland - General Election Returns 1998". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  49. ^ "Washington County, Maryland - General Election Returns 2002". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  50. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Washington County". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  51. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Washington County". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  52. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Washington County". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
  53. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
  54. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  55. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.

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