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Montgomery delegate Hurson to resign from General Assembly to join
trade group
By David Nitkin
Sun Staff
August 23, 2005
Del. John Adams Hurson, a Montgomery County Democrat who recently
completed a year as president of the National Conference of State
Legislatures, said yesterday he is resigning from the General Assembly
to join a Washington trade association.
Hurson, 51, accepted a position as executive vice president for
government affairs with the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance
Association. He starts Sept. 2, and his legislative resignation takes
effect Sept. 30.
"It's a very good time for me to be making this change," said Hurson, a
former longtime majority leader who has wielded considerable influence
in Annapolis as chairman of the Health and Government Operations
Committee.
Several Annapolis sources said Del. Peter A. Hammen, a Baltimore
Democrat and vice chairman of the committee, is among the top
candidates to succeed Hurson as chairman. The decision will be made by
House Speaker Michael E. Busch, who said he has not made up his mind.
"John Hurson is an outstanding legislator and will be sorely missed,"
Busch said. "He leaves a legacy as one of the most outstanding
legislators on health care Maryland has ever seen."
The delegate position will be filled by a vote of the Democratic
Central Committee in Montgomery County and must be approved by Gov.
Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
Holding a General Assembly seat is a part-time job in Maryland, with
most lawmakers having other employment. Most recently, Hurson has
worked for the Washington-based lobbying firm Van Scoyoc Associates,
helping develop business relationships with lobbyists in other states.
Before that, he worked for Ketchum Public Relations.
Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun