Constituency Annapolis, Maryland Name Don Dwyer, Political party Republican Role American Politician | Spouse(s) Cheryl Party Republican Party Occupation Politician | |
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Succeeded by Meagan C. Simonaire & Nicholaus R. Kipke Born February 11, 1958 (age 66)
Annapolis, Maryland ( 1958-02-11 ) Children Ashley, Jennifer, Gregg Residence Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States | ||
Don H. Dwyer Jr. (born February 11, 1958) is an American politician and former member of the Maryland House of Delegates. He has served the 31st District of Anne Arundel County since 2003. A member of the Republican Party, Dwyer is known for his conservative positions on certain issues, including outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage in Maryland. He was reelected by 25 votes in the November 2006 election and reelected again in 2010. He was defeated in the June, 2014 Republican primary, thought to be largely due to his legal troubles.
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Alcohol-related legal issues
Dwyer has admitted to drinking on a "pretty regular" basis, beginning at the end of the 2011 legislative session. He has also spoken of attending counseling sessions and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to cope with alcohol dependency.
On August 22, 2012, Dwyer was operating a motorboat on the Magothy River when he collided with another vessel, seriously injuring himself, John Moran IV, his companion and former police officer, and five others. Among the others injured were three children, including a 5-year old girl who fractured her skull. Dwyer's blood alcohol content tested three times the legal limit of 0.08. He admitted to operating the boat under the influence at a news conference held outside Maryland Shock Trauma, adding that he regretted his actions. On August 6, 2013, Dwyer pleaded guilty to the charges but appealed his 30-day jail sentence. The sentence was ultimately upheld after a further incident in August 2013, in which Dwyer was stopped and arrested for a DUI. He received an additional 30 day sentence for that offense.
Dwyer claimed his drinking that led to the boat accident was a result of marital problems and feeling betrayed by fellow lawmakers who supported legislation in favor of same-sex marriage in Maryland. Dwyer said "I felt a tremendous amount of pressure in my family. You take those personal issues [and] add betrayal on the professional side, and it really gets to be overwhelming."
Early on the morning of August 20, 2013, Dwyer was pulled over by an Anne Arundel County sheriff's deputy in his 2001 Cadillac DeVille for suspected intoxication. After showing signs of alcohol intoxication, failing field sobriety tests, and refusing a to submit to a breathalyzer examination, he was arrested and transported to the Eastern District for booking.
Political fundraising
At a May 2013 fundraiser for his political campaign, Rep. Dwyer hosted an auction of assault weapons during a "Gun Rights and Liberty BBQ".