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Tony E. Fulton, city delegate, dies of cancer
West Baltimore Democrat, 53, was outspoken for his causes
 
By Ivan Penn and Phillip McGowan
Sun Staff

May 22, 2005

Del. Tony E. Fulton, an 18-year veteran of the Maryland General Assembly who was known for taking on the political establishment and for tactics that at times raised ethical concerns, died Friday night of a cancer-related illness at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. He was 53.

His wife of 29 years, Jacqueline Fulton, said that she, his two daughters, his brother and friends were at Mr. Fulton's side when he died at 10:30 p.m.

A lifelong Democrat, Mr. Fulton frequently criticized his party for failing to deal effectively with drugs, crime and troubled schools in his native Baltimore.

His frustration led him to publicly embrace the agenda of his friend Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., whom he all but endorsed in the 2002 gubernatorial election.

Whatever the issue, Mr. Fulton never shied from a good debate. "He enjoyed it," his wife said. "Anyone who knew him knew he enjoyed it." Mr. Fulton was a lifelong resident of Baltimore, where he graduated from City College in 1969.

He enrolled at then-Morgan State College, earning a bachelor's degree in political science in 1973 and a master's degree in public administration two years later from the University of Maryland.

Mr. Fulton served on General Assembly staff from 1975 to 1979, then worked as a lobbyist for eight years. Voters elected him to the House of Delegates in 1986, and he continued in that capacity after he became a real estate agent for Long and Foster in 1995.

As a legislator, Mr. Fulton championed lead-paint initiatives and Baltimore City schools, and became involved in insurance and economic development issues.

Dissatisfied with Baltimore's finances, he pushed repeatedly and unsuccessfully for the creation of a city manager.

The West Baltimore lawmaker's reputation came into question when he was linked to a mail-fraud scheme of Annapolis lobbyist Gerard E. Evans.

In July 2000, a U.S. District Court jury acquitted Mr. Fulton of six counts of mail fraud but deadlocked on five others in a case that involved an alleged scheme by Mr. Evans to pressure clients with lead-paint problems.

During the trial, Mr. Fulton told the jury he had twice made empty threats to introduce legislation that would hurt Mr. Evans' clients. He said his motive was not to help Mr. Evans make money, but to force the companies to contribute to community projects in his district. Mr. Evans was convicted of nine counts of mail fraud.

Although the assembly's Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics took no action against Mr. Fulton, it said his actions tarnished the reputation of the legislature.

Associates said Mr. Fulton remained positive as he continued serving in Annapolis through his final legislative session this year, although his illness forced him to leave work for treatment and rest.

In recent years, friends said, he embraced his faith as a Christian and spoke warmly of the support he received at New Psalmist Baptist Church in West Baltimore.

Throughout his battle with cancer, Mr. Fulton never ceased to make jokes and play pranks on his colleagues.

"Just a funny guy," said Del. Talmadge Branch, an East Baltimore Democrat and one of Mr. Fulton's seatmates. "I could get up and go to the men's room and he's gotten into my computer. And holy moly …"

In 2002, Mr. Fulton was elected first vice president of the Legislative Black Caucus, but even in that position, he took political stances that opposed and agitated Democratic leaders.

During the 2002 gubernatorial election, Mr. Fulton publicly embraced -- though without endorsing -- Mr. Ehrlich, who defeated the Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

Mr. Fulton was found to have pancreatic cancer in 2003. Funeral plans were incomplete last night.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Fulton is survived by two daughters, Shelley and Christina Fulton of Baltimore; a brother, Terry Fulton; and a grandson, Noah Powell Fulton.

Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun