Robert R. Neall
Encyclopedia
Robert R. Neall is an American
politician and Democrat who served as State Senator, State Delegate and County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
.
Originally a Democrat, Neall switched parties in 1972 to become a Republican. Neall was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from 1975-1987. He was the Republican nominee for the United States Congress
in the 4th District in 1986, losing to Thomas McMillen in an extremely close election by 428 votes. He was elected County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
from 1990-1994.
After his term ended, Neall was appointed by the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee to fill a vacancy as State Senator from the 33rd District after the passing of John A. Cade
. Neall was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee. Neall was also a member of the Thornton Commission, which developed a plan for distributing money to the state's needier school districts in Baltimore City and Prince George's County and, after legislative compromise, Montgomery County.
In 1999, although the 33rd legislative District is one of Maryland's most conservative with 6,700 more registered Republicans than Democrats, Neall switched parties on ideological grounds and became a Democrat. In a letter to Richard D. Bennett, the state GOP chairman and now U.S. District Court Judge, Neall said, "While I have from time to time felt uncomfortable and unwelcome in the Republican Party, (my) feelings have clearly worsened in recent years" because of the changing nature of the party.
In 2002, Neall was soundly defeated for re-election by Republican Janet Greenip
. Afterward, Neall said of his party switch, "I have never ever regretted doing what I thought was right."
In 2003, Baltimore City schools' chief executive, Bonnie S. Copeland requested that Neall help solve a severe budget deficit. In order to qualify for a $42 million loan from the state, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich requested that Neall draft a plan for fiscal and management accountability. Neall's financial rescue plan was rejected by the Baltimore City School Board, sending the system into crisis as it headed towards insolvency. Neall then created controversy with his abrupt resignation on the day that he delivered his report.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and Democrat who served as State Senator, State Delegate and County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
Originally a Democrat, Neall switched parties in 1972 to become a Republican. Neall was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
from 1975-1987. He was the Republican nominee for the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in the 4th District in 1986, losing to Thomas McMillen in an extremely close election by 428 votes. He was elected County Executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
from 1990-1994.
After his term ended, Neall was appointed by the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee to fill a vacancy as State Senator from the 33rd District after the passing of John A. Cade
John A. Cade
John A. Cade was a Republican State Senator from District 33 in the U.S. state of Maryland.-Background:John A. Cade was first elected to office in 1975 to represent District 33, which covers a portion of Anne Arundel County, Maryland...
. Neall was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee. Neall was also a member of the Thornton Commission, which developed a plan for distributing money to the state's needier school districts in Baltimore City and Prince George's County and, after legislative compromise, Montgomery County.
In 1999, although the 33rd legislative District is one of Maryland's most conservative with 6,700 more registered Republicans than Democrats, Neall switched parties on ideological grounds and became a Democrat. In a letter to Richard D. Bennett, the state GOP chairman and now U.S. District Court Judge, Neall said, "While I have from time to time felt uncomfortable and unwelcome in the Republican Party, (my) feelings have clearly worsened in recent years" because of the changing nature of the party.
In 2002, Neall was soundly defeated for re-election by Republican Janet Greenip
Janet Greenip
Janet Greenip was a Republican State Senator from Crofton, Maryland, representing District 33 from 2003 through 2009.-Education:Greenip received her B.S. in education in 1969 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.-Career:...
. Afterward, Neall said of his party switch, "I have never ever regretted doing what I thought was right."
In 2003, Baltimore City schools' chief executive, Bonnie S. Copeland requested that Neall help solve a severe budget deficit. In order to qualify for a $42 million loan from the state, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich requested that Neall draft a plan for fiscal and management accountability. Neall's financial rescue plan was rejected by the Baltimore City School Board, sending the system into crisis as it headed towards insolvency. Neall then created controversy with his abrupt resignation on the day that he delivered his report.
Sources
- Bowie, Liz, Schools head for layoffs, pay cuts, The Baltimore Sun, Feb. 10, 2004
- Blok, Katherine, Neall Defects from GOP, Capital News Service, Nov. 12, 1999
- Penn, Ivan, Annapolis respects Neall on difficult fiscal matters: Lawmakers shake heads after he quits schools post, The Baltimore Sun, Feb. 24, 2004
- White, Tanika, Neall resigns; school rescue in jeopardy, The Baltimore Sun, Feb. 24, 2004