Tony O’Donnell (R-MD-5)

Tony O’Donnell

Tony O’Donnell Congressional Candidate Maryland District 5

Biography of Tony O’Donnell from O’Donnell for Congress

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1961, Tony graduated from the Middletown Area High School. A few weeks after high school graduation, Tony began service in the United States Navy for over 8 years. While in the Navy, O’Donnell completed a rigorous set of training schools. He first became an Electronics Technician and then a Reactor Operator in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Program.

Tony served onboard the nuclear powered guided missile cruiser U.S.S. South Carolina (CGN-37) as a reactor operator and reactor technician. He then served as an instructor at the Knowles Atomic Power Laboratory in Ballston Spa, NY. While at the Knowles Lab, ET1 O’Donnell was designated as a Navy Master Training Specialist and completed Bachelor of Science degree requirements at the University of the State of New York, Regents College (now known as Excelsior College). Upon exit from the Navy in 1987, O’Donnell began working at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, MD. Tony started at Calvert Cliffs as a nuclear instrumentation and controls technician. He was certified by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) as a control technician. Over 15 years, he served as a supervisor in this field, as well as a maintenance engineering technician and as director of emergency preparedness for the plant. Tony left the plant at the end of 2002.

He also volunteered in his local community and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the now defunct Drum Point Road Company. He also coached youth soccer and is a long time member of the Arick L. Lore American Legion Post #274 in Lusby. Over the years Tony has worked in many volunteer and charitable causes.

Tony got his first taste of politics at the age of 28 when he worked on a Congressional campaign of his friend and former navy colleague. That led to his involvement and work on local political issues with the Republican Central Committee of Calvert County. He worked on developing a precinct level organization and on various committee activities. O’Donnell was awarded the Edward T. Hall Outstanding Republican of the Year for Calvert County in 1993. In 1994, at the age of 33, Tony O’Donnell was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 29-C. Since that time Tony has earned many leadership positions including serving as the House Minority Leader and is a member of the House Environmental Matters Committee.

Tony O’Donnell and his wife Lori have three children and two grandchildren. They live in Drum Point in Lusby. Tony is a US Navy veteran and Lori works in the local public schools in Calvert County.

Biography of Tony O’Donnell from Maryland State Archives

Member of House of Delegates since January 11, 1995. Minority Leader, 2007-. Member, Environmental Matters Committee, 2007- (agriculture, agriculture preservation & open space subcommittee, 2007-08; environment subcommittee, 2007-10; natural resources subcommittee, 2007-; local government & bi-county agencies subcommittee, 2008-09; land use & ethics subcommittee, 2011-); Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2007-; Legislative Policy Committee, 2007- (management subcommittee, 2007-); Joint Legislative Work Group to Study State, County and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1995-2004 (family & juvenile law subcommittee, 1995-2003; juvenile law subcommittee, 2003-04); Special Committee on Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility, 2003-04; Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2003-04. Minority Whip, 2003-06. Member, Appropriations Committee, 2004-06 (health & human resources subcommittee, 2005-06; oversight committee on pensions, 2005-06); Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007, 2011. House Chair, Calvert County Delegation, 2004-06, 2011-. Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, 2001-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2011-. Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (legislative effectiveness & state government committee, 2005-07; legislative effectiveness committee, 2007-).

Member, Election Redistricting Committee, Calvert County, 1992; Compensation Board, Calvert County, 1993. Member, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1995-; Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1999; Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 1999-; Task Force to Study the Economic Development of the Maryland Seafood and Aquaculture Industries, 2002-04 (aquaculture industry work group); Task Force to Study Alternative Living Arrangements for Children in Out-of-Home Placement, 2003-04; Governor’s Task Force on Medical Malpractice and Health Care Access, 2004; Task Force on Traffic Capacity Across the Chesapeake Bay, 2005-06; Commission to Study Southern Maryland Transportation Needs, 2006-08; Aquaculture Coordinating Council, 2006-; Oyster Advisory Commission, 2007-.

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1961. Attended Middletown Area High School, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Served in U.S. Navy (E-6), 1979-87. Naval Nuclear Propulsion School, 1980; Regents College, State University of New York, B.S. (liberal studies), 1985. Former supervisor, Instrument Modifications Unit, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Member, Republican Precinct Organization, Calvert County, 1990-94. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008. Edward T. Hall Memorial Award for Outstanding Republican Man of the Year – Calvert County, Calvert County Republican Central Committee, 1993. Outstanding Employer Partner, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, 2005. Married; three children.