Charles H. Smelser
Encyclopedia
Charles H. Smelser was a Democratic State Senator and Delegate in Maryland.
in 1955. He served in the House until 1963. In 1967, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate
, where he served until 1995, a Senate career of 28 years,
in 1942. At Maryland he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega
fraternity.
. He was a pilot who flew 35 bombing missions from England
in B-17's. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
and Air Medal with 5 Oak clusters.
In addition to his political work and his military career, he was also a dairy farmer and in 1958 served as Director and later President of the New Windsor State Bank. He retired from this position in 1997.
In the Maryland Senate, Smelser was a member of several committees including the important Budget and Taxation Committee, the Executive Nominations Committee, the Rules Committee, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, to name a few. Additionally, he was the Senate Chair of the Joint Subcommittee on State's Capital
Program. Smelser retired from politics in 1995.
Background
Smelser was first elected to the Maryland House of DelegatesMaryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
in 1955. He served in the House until 1963. In 1967, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
, where he served until 1995, a Senate career of 28 years,
Education
Smelser attended Carroll County public schools. He graduated from New Windsor High School in 1937. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College ParkUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
in 1942. At Maryland he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
fraternity.
Career
After graduating from college, Smelser served in the United States Army Air Force during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was a pilot who flew 35 bombing missions from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in B-17's. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and Air Medal with 5 Oak clusters.
In addition to his political work and his military career, he was also a dairy farmer and in 1958 served as Director and later President of the New Windsor State Bank. He retired from this position in 1997.
In the Maryland Senate, Smelser was a member of several committees including the important Budget and Taxation Committee, the Executive Nominations Committee, the Rules Committee, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, to name a few. Additionally, he was the Senate Chair of the Joint Subcommittee on State's Capital
Program. Smelser retired from politics in 1995.
Election results
- 1990 Primary Race for Maryland State Senate – District 4
Name Votes Percent Outcome Charles H. Smelser, Dem. 18,023 100% Won
- 1986 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 4
Name Votes Percent Outcome Charles H. Smelser, Dem. 12,673 56% Won John Thompson, Rep. 9,805 44% Lost