Preceded by John Giannetti Occupation Businessman Role American Politician Succeeded by Michael Guest | Spouse(s) Sheilah A. Kast Name James Rosapepe | |
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Books Dracula Is Dead: Travels in Post-Communist Romania | ||
James Carew Rosapepe (born May 20, 1951) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently serving in his third four-year term in the Maryland State Senate, representing Maryland's District 21 in Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties.
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Background
Rosapepe was born in Rome, Italy. He was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1986, serving 2 full and one partial terms before being appointed as Ambassador to Romania in early 1998 during the Clinton administration. An internal State Department report was strongly critical of Rosapepe's leadership and management during this ambassadorial service, while crediting him with several accomplishments. Upon his recall from Romania, Rosapepe was appointed to serve on the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland. He left that board to run against incumbent Senator John Giannetti in District 21.
In the legislature
Rosapepe defeated the incumbent senator, John Giannetti, in the 2006 election for Maryland State Senator in District 21. Giannetti had been accused of being too conservative by many Democrats, specifically for his position against an assault weapons ban in Maryland. After his defeat in the primary election, Giannetti switched parties to run against Rosapepe as a Republican, and was again defeated.
Rosapepe currently sits on the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and serves as a Deputy Majority Whip. He was unopposed in the 2010 and 2014 elections.