Md. Senate GOP Caucus elects Kittleman, Jacobs to leadership posts

The Maryland Senate Republican Caucus voted unanimously yesterday to elect Sen. Allan H. Kittleman as minority leader and Sen. Nancy Jacobs as the minority whip, elevating a moderate and a social conservative to the leadership posts.

Kittleman, who represents Howard County, has quickly risen through the party's ranks and had served as minority whip with fellow moderate Sen. David R. Brinkley of Frederick County. He and Jacobs ran uncontested after Brinkley decided not to run again for minority leader, citing personal reasons.

Jacobs, who represents Cecil and Harford counties, has been outspoken in the Democratic-controlled chamber on such issues as gay marriage. She is the first female Republican whip.

"This balances our leadership," said Sen. Barry Glassman, a Harford County Republican. "We need to project the image that we're not so monolithic in our ideas."

The minority caucus also voted yesterday not to take a position on November's slot machine gambling referendum but did vote to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment to allow early voting, saying they worried it would lead to voter fraud.