Richard B. Weldon Jr.


Richard Weldon was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Maryland District 3B, which then included parts of Frederick and Washington County, Maryland. He defeated Lisa Baugher in 2002 for the new 3B district. He defeated Paul Gilligan in 2006 to retain his seat.

Education

Weldon graduated from William Penn High School in New Castle, Delaware and briefly attended the University of Maryland. Weldon also attended a number of technical schools and formal training courses during his 4-year service in the US Naval Submarine Service.

Career

Weldon served in the United States Navy from 1976-1980 in the submarine service. We later worked as a civilian employee within the Navy Department from 1982-1994. From 1994-1999, he was a city administrator for the City of Brunswick. In 1999, he became the Chief Operations Officer for the city of Frederick. After a brief stint in 2001 as a member of the Board of County Commissioners for Frederick County, he ran for the House of Delegates. Weldon serves as the President and CEO of United Way of Frederick County.
In September 2008, Delegate Weldon announced that he was changing his registration from Republican to unaffiliated and would not seek reelection in 2010 for the term beginning in 2011.

In the legislature

Delegate Weldon, in the House of Delegates from January 8, 2003 to December 17, 2009, was a member of the House Health and Government Operations Committee and the government operations and public health/long term care subcommittees.

Supposed Controversy

In June 2009, Delegate Weldon raised concern with a few people in the community by supporting convicted sex offender Samn Huffer, who was directing a local theater production, "Annie," performed by The Fredericktowne Players. Weldon was taking part in the production as an actor, along with several children and dozens of other adults, many parents of children also in the production. Despite the nature of Huffer's recent child pornography and drug convictions, Weldon maintained that Huffer's involvement was justified, and even asserted that he "would have allowed his own children to be in the play with him if they were still young. Huffer had fulfilled his sentence and all obligations to the state, and also had previously directed another show with children in the cast. In spite of the clamoring of some, the production was widely hailed as a success. "
Weldon resigned his seat in the House of Delegates on December 17, 2009

Legislative notes