Letter from Delegate Christopher Eric Bouchat

Remembering the Quiet Greatness of Delegate Charles Otto

Editor’s Note:
The following letter was submitted directly to MDBayNews by Delegate Christopher Eric Bouchat (R–District 5) following the passing of his colleague, Delegate Charles J. Otto of Somerset County. It has been lightly edited for grammar and readability.

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With the recent passing of Delegate Charles Otto of Somerset County, I thought it necessary to honor his quiet greatness in an editorial deserving of statewide publication.

Prior to entering the General Assembly three years ago, I had no idea who Charles Otto was—and even after serving for a month, he still seemed a mystery to me. He said very few words in our Republican House Caucus, if any at all that I can remember. Out of the three sessions we sat through together, only once did he stand up on the House floor during session to speak—and it was only to wish his closest delegate friend from the Eastern Shore, Jay Jacobs, a happy birthday.

He may have been the most unassuming member of the entire chamber. Speaker Jones could probably affirm this observation as well, if asked. However, his quiet personality was effective in the arena of cutthroat partisan politics. Charles’s intelligence, soft-spoken voice, and pleasant humor caused him to become one of the most successful members of the Republican House Caucus. Delegate Otto’s bill-passage success rate stood at number one among all his Republican colleagues. I discovered this fact in my first session by researching my colleagues to determine who I should pay attention to, seek advice from, and emulate.

He proved to me that the most boisterous and repetitious voices that stand up on the floor are usually the least effective, while the intellectuals work hard in committee and behind the scenes with the majority party leadership—something Delegate Jay Jacobs counseled me on—to achieve success.

Otto’s quiet leadership in the General Assembly will be missed not only by his Republican and Democratic colleagues, but more importantly, by his rural Lower Shore constituents.

I will close with this to honor both his service and legacy:
If the state legislature had more Charles Ottos as members, the institution would be less contentious and produce more legislation in the middle of the political spectrum—which, considering Maryland is allegedly of middle temperament, would reduce the political polarization we all suffer through.

Thank you, Charles, for teaching us all a lesson in civic service and civil discourse.

Delegate Christopher Eric Bouchat
Maryland House of Delegates, District 5