Johnny Mautz

Rebecca Shoap

​

​

(m. 2005,divorced)​

Johnny Mautz
Mautz in 2019
Member of the Maryland Senate from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2023
Children	2
Residence	St. Michaels, Maryland
Profession	Attorney, business owner
Signature
Website	Campaign website Official website

John Frederick "Johnny" Mautz IV (born September 19, 1970) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate from District 37 since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented District 37B in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2023.

Personal life and career

Mautz was born at Fort Devens in Massachusetts, ^[1] to father John Mautz and mother Diana Mautz. ^[2] His father was stationed at Fort Devens before moving to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to start a dental care company. ^[3] He graduated from Brewster Academy, and received a B.A. degree in political science from the University of Dayton in 1994 and a J.D. degree from the Claude W. Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University in 1997. ^[1]

Before serving in the Maryland House of Delegates, Mautz served as a counsel on the United States House Committee on the Judiciary from 1997 to 2002. Afterwards, he served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Bob Ehrlich from 2002 to 2005, and as legislative director for U.S. Representative Howard Coble from 2009 to 2014. ^[1]

Mautz married his wife, Rebecca (née Shoap), in May 2005; ^[2] they are now separated. ^[1] They have two children. ^[4] Mautz owns the Carpenter Street Saloon in Saint Michaels, Maryland. ^[5]

In the legislature

Mautz in the Senate Finance Committee, 2023

Mautz was elected to the House of Delegates in 2014, succeeding delegates Adelaide Eckardt and Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. He was sworn in on January 14, 2015, and was a member of the Economic Matters Committee. ^[1]

During the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Mautz supported businessman Donald Trump. ^[6]

In February 2022, after much speculation, ^[7] Mautz filed to run for Maryland Senate, challenging incumbent state Senator Adelaide Eckardt in the primary. ^{[8] [9]} He defeated Eckardt in the Republican primary on July 19, ^[10] and won the general election on November 8, 2022. ^[11] Mautz was sworn in on January 11, 2023, and is a member of the Finance Committee. ^[1]

Political positions

Crime

In March 2022, during debate on a bill to ban privately made firearms, Mautz introduced an amendment to create a special unit on firearm violence in Baltimore. The amendment was rejected in a 41-88 vote. ^[12]

During the 2023 legislative session, Mautz supported legislation to increase penalties for gun crimes, pointing to the murder of Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy Glenn Hilliard in June 2022, which involved an illegal firearm. ^[13] He also added that he would support reinstating the death penalty for murdering law enforcement officers. ^[14] Mautz later called for Governor Wes Moore to call a special legislative session on gun violence following the 2023 Baltimore shooting. ^[15]

Economic issues

During the 2019 legislative session, Mautz voted against a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, which he worried was "too aggressive" of an increase for Eastern Shore business owners. ^[16]

In 2021, during debate on a bill allowing counties to implement progressive income taxes, Mautz introduced an amendment that would require any income tax increases to be subject to a countywide referendum. The amendment was rejected by a 42-94 vote. ^[17]

In 2022, Mautz voted against a bill to implement a statewide paid family leave program. ^[18]

Environment

In May 2024, Mautz called on Governor Wes Moore to veto a bill increasing subsidies for offshore wind energy. The bill was signed into law by Governor Moore that following week. ^{[19] [20]}

Hunting and fishing

In March 2017, Mautz voted against a bill to ban harvesting in oyster sanctuaries. ^[21] In January 2020, Mautz voted against overriding Governor Larry Hogan's veto on House Bill 720, which establishes a consensus-based process involving environmentalists, watermen and seafood sellers to create a new oyster fishery management plan for the state, citing concerns that the bill could cause economic harm to communities on the Chesapeake Bay. ^[22]

During the 2018 legislative session, Mautz introduced a bill to provide a tax break to individuals who donate venison to food programs. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan. ^[23]

In July 2023, Mautz called for federal tariffs on imported crab meat, claiming that Venezuelan crab meat was hurting local crab fisheries. ^{[24] [25]}

During the 2024 legislative session, Mautz introduced a bill prohibiting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from reducing or altering oyster sanctuaries' boundaries. The legislation would also authorize watermen to use power dredges to cultivate oyster growth in the Chesapeake Bay. ^{[26] [27]} The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Moore.

Gun policy

In April 2018, Mautz voted in favor of House Bill 888, which restricts the sale and possession of bump stocks, and House Bill 1302, which authorizes a person to petition for an extreme risk prevention order with a court or law enforcement agency when it may be determined that a person is either an extreme risk to himself or to others. Following the vote, Mautz issued a written apology to his constituents, saying that he had not read the bills and intended to vote against them. ^{[28] [29]} Governor Hogan would sign HB 1302 into law, but vetoed HB 888. ^[30]

In 2019, Mautz said he opposed bills to further regulate long gun and assault rifles, imploring legislators to instead pass legislation focusing on the mental health of gun owners. ^[31]

During the 2023 legislative session, Mautz introduced an amendment to the Gun Safety Act, a gun control bill that increased requirements to obtain a handgun permit and limited where guns could be publicly carried, to protect armed civilians responding to a threat against another person from criminal charges under the bill. The amendment was rejected in a 19-27 vote. ^[32] He later called the bill "unconstitutional" and supported the National Rifle Association of America's lawsuit against it. ^[33]

Social issues

In March 2018, Mautz voted against the Reform on Tap Act of 2018, which would have repealed certain limits on micro-breweries, farm breweries, and limited beer wholesalers. ^[28]

In March 2021, Mautz voted against the Maryland Driver Privacy Act, which would prohibit state and local government agencies from providing records or data to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement, insisting that the bill extended extra protections to undocumented immigrants with drivers' licenses. ^[34]

In 2023, Mautz introduced an amendment to the Trans Health Equity Act that would ban gender-affirming care for minors. The amendment was rejected in a 14-29 vote. ^[35]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 37B Republican primary election, 2014 ^[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Mautz	5,896	35.8
	Republican	Christopher T. Adams	4,030	24.5
	Republican	Rene Desmarais	3,082	18.7
	Republican	Karen Tolley	1,850	11.2
	Republican	Allen Nelson	1,604	9.7

Maryland House of Delegates District 37B election, 2014 ^[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Mautz	21,057	39.8
	Republican	Christopher T. Adams	16,046	30.3
	Democratic	Keasha N. Haythe	7,957	15.0
	Democratic	Rodney Benjamin	7,852	14.8
	Write-in		27	0.1

Maryland House of Delegates District 37B election, 2018 ^[38]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Mautz (incumbent)	25,031	43.6
	Republican	Christopher T. Adams (incumbent)	19,498	33.9
	Democratic	Dan O'Hare	12,796	22.3
	Write-in		128	0.2

Maryland Senate District 37 Republican primary election, 2022 ^[39]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Mautz	10,128	74.1
	Republican	Adelaide C. Eckardt (incumbent)	3,535	25.9

Maryland Senate District 37 election, 2022 ^[40]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Johnny Mautz	10,128	60.8
	Democratic	Naomi Hyman	18,930	39.1
	Write-in		47	0.1

References

1. "Johnny Mautz, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
2. "Marriage of Mautz / Shoap". The Star-Democrat. February 27, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved September 14, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
3. "John F. Mautz, III D.D.S." framptom.com. Framptom Funeral Home. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
4. "Senator Johnny Mautz". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
5. Spector, Candice (March 18, 2021). "Mautz bill seeks more transparency in COVID-19 rules enforcement on businesses". The Herald-Mail . Retrieved November 27, 2021.
6. Dresser, Michael (May 12, 2016). "Ehrlich, former Kasich backer, endorses Trump to defeat Clinton". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
7. Kurtz, Josh; Leckrone, Bennett (February 5, 2022). "Political Notes: Eckardt Girds for Primary, Krebs Retiring, Peroutka Runs for AG, and More". Maryland Matters . Retrieved February 16, 2022.
8. Kurtz, Josh; Shwe, Elizabeth (February 18, 2022). "Political Notes: Rural State Senate Contests, and a King and a President Visit Annapolis". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
9. Landon, Hunter (July 13, 2022). "Eckardt, Mautz Face Off in Maryland's 37th Senate District GOP Primary". WBOC-TV . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
10. Sileo, Laura Benedict (July 20, 2022). "Mautz pushes out Eckardt in Md. Senate District 37's GOP race". The Daily Times . Retrieved November 9, 2022.
11. Redefer, Katie (November 8, 2022). "Mautz, Carozza cruising to state Senate wins". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
12. Gaskill, Hannah (March 10, 2022). "Policies Diverge on House and Senate Ghost Gun Bills". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
13. Landon, Hunter (February 13, 2023). "Bipartisan Bill Aims to Target Repeat Gun Offenders". WBOC-TV . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
14. Landon, Hunter (May 9, 2023). "What's Next for Corporal Hilliard's Convicted Murderer Austin Davidson". WBOC-TV . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
15. Landon, Hunter (July 25, 2023). "Calls for Special Session to Tackle Youth Gun Violence in Maryland". WBOC-TV . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
16. "Maryland House Approves $15 Minimum Wage". WBOC-TV . March 1, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
17. Leckrone, Bennett (February 25, 2021). "Roundup: House Republicans Attempt Amendments on Local Tax, Election Measures". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
18. Shwe, Elizabeth (March 30, 2022). "House Passes Statewide Paid Leave Program". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
19. Demko, Keith (May 2, 2024). "Maryland state senators urge Gov. Moore to veto wind energy bill. Here's why". The Daily Times . Retrieved November 15, 2024.
20. "Maryland Offshore Wind Full Steam Ahead as Critical Bill Signed". ECO Magazine. May 13, 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
21. Dance, Scott (March 29, 2017). "Assembly passes bill to block state from opening oyster sanctuaries to harvest". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
22. DePuyt, Bruce; Gaines, Danielle E. (January 31, 2020). "How the Veto Override Votes Went Down in the House and Senate". Maryland Matters . Retrieved November 27, 2021.
23. Tulp, Chris (November 28, 2018). "Maryland deer hunters get new tax break for donating venison". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
24. Miller, Lauren (July 21, 2023). "Local Crab Processors Feeling The Pinch From Imported Crab Meat". WBOC-TV . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
25. Kurtz, Josh (July 20, 2023). "Moore unveils two new environmental initiatives during steamy Eastern Shore visit". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
26. Forney, Dennis (March 5, 2024). "Pressure Mounting for Oyster Sanctuary Changes". The Chestertown Spy. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
27. Connelly, Connie (March 3, 2024). "Mautz introduces oyster legislation". The Star Democrat . Retrieved 16 November 2024.
28. DePuyt, Bruce; Kurtz, Josh (April 10, 2018). "Winners and Losers of the 2018 General Assembly Session". Maryland Matters . Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
29. Richardson, Jim (March 25, 2018). "Del. Mautz, what are we to believe?". The Star Democrat . Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
30. Bernfeld, Jeremy (April 24, 2018). "Ban On 'Bump Stocks' Among New Gun Regulations In Maryland". WAMU . Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
31. "Eastern Shore Lawmakers Weigh in on Maryland Gun Legislation". WBOC-TV . February 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
32. Gaskill, Hannah (March 9, 2023). "Maryland Senate labors over constitutionality of firearm wear and carry legislation". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
33. Landon, Hunter (May 16, 2023). "NRA Sues After Governor Moore Signs Concealed Carry Bill". WBOC-TV . Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
34. Gaskill, Hannah; Kurtz, Josh (March 23, 2021). "State and Local Leaders Push to Limit Maryland's Relationship With ICE". Maryland Matters . Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
35. Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (March 20, 2023). "On busy 'crossover day,' legislature advances abortion records protections, Senate introduces budget bill". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved October 2, 2023.
36. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
37. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
38. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
39. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
40. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.

External links

• "Members – Senator Johnny Mautz". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
• Media related to Johnny Mautz at Wikimedia Commons