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Kittleman relinquishes post atop Maryland Senate GOP
Nicholas Sohr//Daily Record Business Writer//January 18, 2011
Kittleman relinquishes post atop Maryland Senate GOP
ANNAPOLIS — Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, R-Howard and Carroll, announced Tuesday he would relinquish his post as the top Republican in the Maryland Senate.
In a brief interview, Kittleman, who has been leader since 2008 and was whip before that, said the decision was made because he is more socially moderate than his caucus. His support of civil unions “is certainly part of it,” he said. “There are other issues, too.
“To me,” Kittleman said, “standing up for my principles is more important than being minority leader.”
He said he was not asked to resign, and “could have stayed minority leader if I wanted to.”
In a letter to Minority Whip Sen. David Brinkley, R-Frederick, Kittleman wrote “it was apparent that the majority of the caucus members do not want a fiscally conservative who is also a social moderate as the leader of the caucus. Therefore, while it has been a privilege to lead the Republican Senate Caucus for the past two years, I feel it would not be in the best interest of the caucus for me to continue as their leader.”
Kittleman’s resignation will take effect Friday, when the 12 Republicans will vote on a new leader.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s, praised Kittleman for his work “as a fine statesman”
“Sen. Kittleman did a fine job,” he said. “He’s a fine man.”
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