BREAKING: MD Delegate Charles Otto Dead at 61

MARYLAND – Maryland Delegate Charles Otto passed away on Friday at age 61.

Otto had served as a Republican representing District 38A since 2011, which covered Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties. Otto was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, succeeding Carolyn J. Elmore.

Otto was born in Salisbury, Maryland, and graduated from Washington High School before attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He went on to graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science.

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and County Councilman Josh Hastings took to social media to issue their condolences.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Delegate Charles Otto. We just saw him at our legislative breakfast and had such a great conversation about the upcoming session,” she wrote. “Sir, thank you for your leadership, all the laughs, and your unwavering support for our shore values and community. You will truly be missed.”

“Del. Charles Otto was a great man and a great friend,” said Hastings. “He was committed to the Eastern Shore like no other. Sad to hear of his passing.”

In a statement to WMDT, Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor expressed his condolences, saying, “Charles Otto was a proud Eastern Shore farmer and public servant. His dedication to our community left a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed from the political stage on the Eastern Shore. My sincere condolences to his family as we join them in mourning his loss.”

Otto also worked for the Maryland Farm Bureau for almost a decade prior to entering politics. The organization issued their condolences, expressing they were saddened to hear of the representative’s passing.

“Delegate Otto’s commitment to service was long-standing, beginning with his time as a valued staff member for the Maryland Farm Bureau from 1987 to 1995. As a farmer himself, he was firmly rooted in the agricultural community and faithfully served his lower shore constituents in the House of Delegates since 2011. Delegate Otto was a steadfast champion for Maryland agriculture and will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues throughout the state,” read their statement.

Otto served as the Deputy Minority Whip since 2013. Members and staff of the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in light of his passing.

“We are devastated by the loss of Delegate Charles Otto. He was our colleague, our friend, and, to many of us, our family. He was, in many ways, the heart of our Caucus. Delegate Otto was a dedicated public servant, committed to his constituents and to preserving our state’s agricultural heritage. A rarity in politics, Delegate Otto was never someone who was in love with his own voice. But when he spoke, he did so with heartfelt wisdom, and members listened, no matter their political party. He was unceasingly generous and hilariously funny. We were lucky to know him, to serve with him, and to call him our friend. We are grateful to his family for sharing him with us over these many years, and we send them our deepest condolences.”

House Speaker Adrienne Jones also issued her own statement on Otto’s passing, in part writing, “On behalf of the Maryland House of Delegates, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, constituents, and staff. He will be sorely missed by us all.”

Governor Moore extended his condolences as well, writing:

“Dawn and I send our prayers to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Delegate Otto. This was a man who loved Maryland to his core, fighting every day for his constituents and moving in good faith with partners in the General Assembly to deliver results. I had the privilege of spending time with Delegate Otto just a few weeks ago. We stood together to announce the completion of a historic broadband project, bringing high-speed internet to Smith Island for the first time. I saw in him then what so many have seen throughout his career—a fidelity to our state that could never waver, and a commitment to our people that could never fade. Delegate Otto and I may not have belonged to the same political party, but we could agree on this: Marylanders are always worth fighting for. We must carry that legacy forward, together.”

Otto’s cause of death has not been revealed at this time.