John Astle

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John Astle
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 11, 1995 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byGerald W. Winegrad
Succeeded bySarah Elfreth
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 30th district
In office
January 1983 – January 11, 1995
Preceded byGerald W. Winegrad
Succeeded byVirginia P. Clagett
Personal details
Born
John Chandlee Astle

(1943-03-31) March 31, 1943 (age 80)
Charles Town, West Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationMarshall University (BA)
Catholic University of America
OccupationMilitary pilot (retired)
AwardsLegion of Merit[1]
Purple Heart (2)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/service U.S. Marine Corps
Years of service1961–1996
RankColonel
Battles/warsVietnam War
Desert Storm

John Chandlee Astle (born March 31, 1943) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He served four terms in the Maryland State Senate and three terms in the Maryland House of Delegates representing Maryland's district 30 in Anne Arundel County.[2]

Background[edit]

Astle was born in Charles Town, West Virginia, and grew up in Barboursville. He graduated in 1966 from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and attended the Catholic University of America.[2]

Military service — United States Marine Corps[edit]

He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961 and received a commission as an officer in the Marine Corps through its Platoon Leaders Class program upon graduation from Marshall. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and left active duty with the rank of captain. He also flew the presidential helicopter for three and a half years.[2]

He retired from the Marine Corps Reserves as a colonel after 30 years of service.[2] He saw combat in Vietnam, earning 34 Air Medals and 2 Purple Hearts. He was recalled to active duty for Desert Storm.

Political career[edit]

John R. Astle (left), a law student from North Carolina, and John C. Astle (right), Maryland State Senator. Photo taken in the Maryland Senate Chambers, Summer 2003

Astle was originally elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1982. He was elected to the State Senate in 1994 and was Vice-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee from 2003 to 2019.[3][2]

Astle ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Annapolis in 2017, losing in the Democratic primary.[4][5] Astle also ran for mayor in 1981, losing by 243 votes in the general election.[3]

Election results[edit]

  • 1990 race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 30[6]
Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
John C. Astle, Dem. 18,009   23%    Won
Aris Allen, Rep. 16,951   22%    Won
Michael E. Busch, Dem. 16,104   18%    Won
Edith Segree, Dem. 14,341   18%    Lost
Phillip Bissett, Rep. 13,321   17%    Lost

References[edit]

  1. ^ "John C. Astle". The Capital. Capital Gazette. October 10, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "John C. Astle, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 14, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Cook, Chase (January 17, 2017). "Annapolis senator John Astle to run for mayor". The Capital. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  4. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 19, 2017). "Sen. Astle Loses Mayoral Primary; Gutierrez Moves On, Hettleman Stays Put". Maryland Matters. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Cook, Chase (September 19, 2017). "Gavin Buckley wins Democratic primary over Astle, to face Pantelides". The Capital. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  6. ^ "1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. June 14, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2007.