James "Jamie" Benoit, Jr. (born 1971) is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

 from Odenton, Maryland

Maryland

Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...

. He is a Democrat

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

. He is currently serving as a councilman for the Fourth district of Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Maryland

Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...

He holds a BA

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

 in History

History

History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...

 from St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's College of Maryland, established in 1840, is a public, secular liberal arts college located in St. Mary's City, Maryland. It is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and designated as a Public Honors College . St. Mary's College is a small college, with about 2,000...

, a JD

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...

 from the University of Baltimore

University of Baltimore

The University of Baltimore , located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood at 1420 N. Charles Street, is part of the University System of Maryland. Through the Freshman Initiative or Lower Division Initiative, UB has transformed from an upper division university to a...

, and a Master of Laws

Master of Laws

The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...

 from Georgetown University

Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...

.

A lifelong resident of the Fourth Council District, Benoit was educated at every level of the Anne Arundel County Public School System. Prior to entering private law practice, Benoit served as an officer in the United States Army. He is a graduate of the United States Army Officer Candidate School. Benoit currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of an IT company.

On the County Council Benoit and County Executive John R. Leopold are credited with leading efforts to preserve the Naval Academy Dairy Farm in Gambrills, Maryland. Benoit has also been a strong advocate of veterans while on the County Council having sponsored bills into law which created hiring preferences for veterans for County employment and another to treat County employees injured during active duty military service equal to other County employees. Benoit has also frequently sponsored bills aimed at improving the environment.

Previously, he has served on the board of directors of the Piney Orchard Community Association, and has been a member of the Odenton Town Center

Odenton Town Center

The Odenton Town Center is a area of Odenton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA, designated in official plans for mixed-use development.The Odenton Town Center has been planned as a Town Center since 1968. In 1990, legislation created an Odenton Growth Management Area to encourage development in...

 Oversight Committee.

He replaced Bill D. Burlison

Bill D. Burlison

Bill D. Burlison, born is an American politician who has held office in Missouri and Maryland.Burlison attended Southeast Missouri State University and earned his law degree from the University of Missouri....

, another Democrat, who retired in 2006.

In the 2006 general election

General election

In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...

, Benoit defeated Republican Party

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 candidate Sid Saab. Benoit captured 12,494 votes for 62% of the vote, while Saab had 7,719 votes for 38% of the vote.

Benoit is running for his final term in 2010.