A. Wade Kach, the longest-serving Republican in Maryland history, is resigning his position on the Baltimore County Council due to health reasons, ending a career in elected office that spanned more than a half-century.
Kach, 79, has represented constituents in northern Baltimore County since he was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in November 1974. His involvement in GOP politics stemmed from his days at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel), when he was chair of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans when Richard Nixon was president.
Kach has suffered a decline in health in recent months and was unable to attend many County Council meetings in person.
“It is with deep regret that I must step down due to health reasons that were unforeseeable prior to my last election in 2022,” Kach wrote in a letter to the council chairman. “I have spent over 51 years in public service, and my greatest pleasure has been representing my constituents in the northern, western and eastern areas of Baltimore County.”
Kach left the House of Delegates in 2014, when he was elected to the Baltimore County Council.
Kach has a reputation as even-tempered and conciliatory figure in both Annapolis and Towson.
“His service as a state legislator and Councilman is unmatched in Baltimore County history,” said David Marks, a Republican colleague on the County Council, who called Kach a “trusted friend.”
“His successor should continue his legacy of land preservation and environmental stewardship,” Marks said.
Kach had not filed for reelection, but his resignation means that the council position must be filled on an interim basis by a selection of the county Republican Central Committee representing his district.
Two Republicans are running in June primary: Theaux M. LeGardeur of Monkton and Nino Mangione of Lutherville/Timonium; and the central committee may select one of them or someone else entirely. The primary winner will face Democrat Shawn McIntosh of Sparks/Glencoe. An unaffiliated candidate, Cory Shaffer, has also expressed interest, according to the state Board of Elections web site.
While the Baltimore County Council is expanding from seven to nine members after this year’s election, Kach’s district (which will now be District 5) is roughly the same shape. It includes all of northern Baltimore County, from the Pennsylvania border to the Baltimore Beltway, containing all communities immediately adjacent to Interstate 83.
Most of the land is outside of what is known in Baltimore County as the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line, meaning it is not serviced by public water and sewer and development is generally restricted to preserve the rural and agricultural legacy of land marked by green valleys, horse farms and villages that date to the 18th century.
