Moore-Miller administration adds Republican lawmaker from the Eastern Shore

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, often touts bipartisanship — that legislation his administration introduces receives support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. This week, one of those state legislators from the GOP who voted for many of Moore’s bills is set to become the newest addition to his administration, according to an announcement.

State Del. Carl Anderton Jr., R-Wicomico, who has served in the General Assembly since 2015 after four years as the mayor of Delmar, accepted a role as the director of rural economic strategy, a newly created role within the Maryland Department of Commerce.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to join the Moore-Miller Administration and continue my public service career in this crucially important role,” said Anderton, in a July 10 Department of Commerce press release, which stated that the position is scheduled to begin on July 24, 2024.

As a legislator, Anderton supported the Moore-backed ENOUGH Act, legislation designed to combat poverty. In his new role, he’ll be tasked as the department’s principal adviser on rural economic development, including in Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, and the Shore.

Anderton’s departure from his elected position leaves a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly. According to current state law, the vacancy for the remaining two years of the Anderton’s term is filled not by the area’s voters, but by the governor’s appointment upon the recommendation of the state party central committee, of which the lawmaker is a member.

In this case, the party to which Anderton belongs, as elected, is Republican. The law states the governor’s appointment should be made “within thirty days after the occurrence of the vacancy.”

Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.