From the office of State Senator Nancy Jacobs:
ANNAPOLIS -Today, Senator Nancy Jacobs, R-Cecil and Harford County released the following statement:
“After nearly a year of thoughtful consideration, prayer and discussion with my family, I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to my State Senate seat in 2014. This has been very personal and extremely difficult decision to make because I love representing the people of Cecil and Harford County.
I am humbled by and grateful for the extraordinary trust that the citizens in Cecil and Harford County have placed in me and for the honor and privilege of representing them for nearly 20 years in the Maryland General Assembly.”
Senator Jacobs started her career in public service in 1994 when she was elected to the House of Delegates and served as the Freshman Minority Whip in 1995 and the Deputy Minority Whip in 1997.
In 1998 the citizens of District 34 elected Jacobs to the Maryland State Senate where she served in various leadership capacities. In 2008 she was chosen by her peers to lead the Republican Caucus as the Minority Whip and in 2011 she was elected Senate Minority Leader. In these various leadership positions she was recognized as a leader among leaders.
Senator Jacobs is best known for her outspoken advocacy on behalf of children. In 2007 she sponsored “Jessica’s Law” requiring that the most heinous sex crimes against children be punishable with a 25 year mandatory minimum sentence. She has passed numerous laws since then in her effort to protect both vulnerable children and adults.
“I entered the political arena before our three daughters were married. Having eight precious grandchildren has strengthened my resolve and desire to protect children from those who mean to do them harm. My grandchildren are a major part of who I am and everything I do.”
Senator Jacobs passed the first gang law in Maryland after a constituent from the community where she once lived was murdered as part of a gang initiation. She has been at the forefront of tackling gang-related issues.
In 2010 Senator Jacobs introduced legislation which for the first time would regulate health and safety standards in abortion clinics in Maryland. This came about after a doctor, who was not licensed to practice medicine in Maryland, nearly killed a woman in his Cecil County abortion clinic. Over 30 late-term aborted fetuses were discovered in the clinic’s freezer. After hours of compelling testimony, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene agreed to regulate these abortion clinics. Abortion clinics must now adhere to the same medical and safety standards as other surgical clinics in Maryland.
After several years of working with various state agencies Jacobs passed the “Birthmatch” law. This requires state agencies to work together with hospitals to create a database matching newborn records with both birth mothers and fathers who have previously lost their parental rights.
Senator Jacobs currently serves on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Throughout her career she has received numerous awards not only for her advocacy of children but also for her tough stance on crime. She is known around the state for her strong support of our Second Amendment rights and has been an outspoken leader on this issue.
Jacobs has twice been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Daily Record and in 2011 the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association named her “2011 Senatorial Legislator of The Year.”
In talking about her family Senator Jacobs stated, “My husband Bruce has been extremely supportive and has encouraged me throughout my years in public service. I am very thankful for him and the sacrifice he has made these past 19 years.” Jacobs went on to say, “While I love representing the people of Cecil and Harford County, it is time for us to spend more time together as this chapter of our lives comes to a close.”
“I am truly grateful for the love and support of my family and friends who have helped me along the way. I am especially indebted to my staff whose loyalty, knowledge and compassion have made constituent service their priority in serving the people we have represented over the years.”
“In my last 18 months I will continue working tirelessly to represent the people of Harford and Cecil County. While my career in politics may be coming to a close I will never stop fighting to make a difference in the lives of those who mean so much to me.”
“I thank all those who have travelled this journey with me through their support and belief in me. May God bless them as much as He has blessed me.”
From a veteran and avid outdoorsman, thank you Senator Jacobs for your work in the Senate. I can only hope we get some more common sense legislators in to balance what seems to be a scary future for MD.
Sad when you get a thumbs down. I guess said thumbs downer wants less common sense, owe more money at the end of the year.
Did not see that one coming.
No loss.
I begged Sen Jacobs to help me when I was a victim of a crime and she ignored my pleas for help, so good riddance!
If you were the victim of a crime wouldn’t it have been the best thing to go to law enforcement rather than a politician? Honestly if I was robbed or someone broke into my house it would make very little sense to contact O’Malley, or Obama…or Jacobs.
MoneyTree — I did that and it took nearly 5 years for justice; however, I was advised to seek additional help from Senator Jacobs and she ignored repeated attempts from me. No matter who her replacement is, it can’t be any worse than her.
Victim,
What kind of help did you want from Senator Jacobs?
Quick lesson:
There are three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, & Judicial.
The legislative branch makes laws. The executive branch ensures those laws are executed. And the judicial branch explains and applies those laws.
The best Senator Jacobs (or any other member of Congress) could do is propose a law to help protect someone else from the crime you were a victim of. Bottom line – she CANNOT help you. It’s NOT her jurisdiction.
If you need help executing the law, you need to talk to Governor O’Malley or County Executive Craig. Finally, if they caught the criminal (and we all hope they did), the judicial system takes over.
While your government lesson is eventually accurate it is not complete. We all know that members of the legislative branch of government have influence and with some inquiry or a request from their end can often get the slow wheels of enforcement and justice to pick up speed a bit. Maybe that is the kind of constituent service/assistance “Victim” was looking for from Jacobs and didn’t receive.
“Maybe that is the kind of constituent service/assistance “Victim” was looking for from Jacobs and didn’t receive.”
O,
Well, we would know for sure if “Victim” would answer the question. Rather than speculate about what “Victim” is talking about, lets hear from “Victim”!!
The door will be wide open for a big bag of wind to blow in. Jacobs may not have been perfect but look at the alternative: Art Helton! Art just might get to re-live his dream and be a senator 1 more time. Be careful what you wish for voters.
Art will NOT ever become “Senator Helton” again. Way too much baggage and B.S.
He beat Jacobs in Harford Co. last election. The only reason Jacobs won was because of Cecil Co. With that conservative block out of the picture and Helton’s financial resources this makes him a very strong candidate and serious contender for the newly configured district. Can you name another Democrat or Republican that can challenge that?
Delegate James has the connections, funding, and moderate record that can win the district.
NOTE: I predict that this bag of wind doesn’t clear the primary. He is too well known for what he really is; a bag of wind loser who has trouble with truth. Of course it is really appropriate that he and his puppet Steve are running together. Two birds of a feather who have trouble keeping their hands off of women.
Most arrogant person I ever had the displeasure of having to deal with, thank gawd it was only once. Plus, another GOP bites the dust, Craig you will be announcing next your done (not that you had a choice). Its a great day for Harford County !!!!
Hopefully Rick Impellaria will move back to J-Towne and up to the Senate. Maryland needs a strong conservative voice in the Senate. Since Alex Mooney left, there has been nothing but weak-kneed backslappers over there.
Jacobs will be Craig’s running mate so as to ensure thier defeat.
Billy Boniface for Senate!
He can’t afford to stay away from his business for that long.
Which is why he will be Glassman’s number two.
And why the County Charter was changed last election.
Exactly!
$100 says she runs for Glassman’s seat.
I do like glassman as many others do. I am worried though that he does not have the stones to stand up for what is best for Harford County, which means he may sometimes have to go against what some of the other conservative parties think. Remember, I said sometimes. I hope he proves me wrong and takes the right and difficult path when it is necessary. This will be the true test of character as a leader.
Thank you Senator Jacobs for your service.
Sen Jacobs,
Thank you for all your efforts against O’Malley’s gun bills this session and best of luck in your future endeavors.
A large gaudy trailer is parked at the intersection of r7 and 136. It has been vandalized by several large distracting signs promoting a person named Art Helton. This trailer does not have tags on it. Please have it removed before someone else has an accident.
Thanks for your service. You will be missed by all.
Mrs. Jacobs has had an interesting career in politics. Arrogant to be sure, she was initially the darling of the county’s Conservatives (and may well be considered the Founding Mother of the strong conservative clique that has come to represent Harford County in Annapolis). Lately, she seems to have come to appear less conservative, at least in comparison to Harford’s far right Delegates. That she couldn’t win her own county in the Senatorial election speaks to that point, when Impalaria, et al had no trouble. A very difficult person to deal with, to be sure, at least she lived in Harford County (as opposed to some of “our” other delegates).
And she was willing to support Democrat Party candidates, both privately and publicly, if it served her interests. Remember, it is always about getting reelected.
That Tea Party nut Pat McGrady will run for the seat, and lose it to the Democrats.