ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland’s House of Delegates District 38 representative Charles Otto has died, according to numerous Maryland lawmakers.
Otto represented Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties and served as Deputy Minority Whip since 2013.
According to Otto’s official biography, he was born in Salisbury in 1964. He attended Washington High School in Princess Anne before attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Otto was first elected to the House of Delegates in January of 2011.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Maryland State Delegate Charles J. Otto,” Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones said in a social media post Friday. “Since 2011, he served the Maryland House of Delegates with integrity and an unwavering dedication to the people of District 38A. He cared deeply about his community and always put his constituents first.”
“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.”
House of Delegate representative for District 7A, Ryan Nawrocki, also took to social media to share his condolences for Otto’s family.
“A farmer from Somerset County, Charles, was a true gentleman,” Nawrocki said. “We served together on the Environment & Transportation Committee, and the next session will not be the same without him. May he rest in peace.”
Otto was 61. His cause of death has not yet been released. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.