Monday, April 19, 2010

Delegate Sue Hecht Retires in Frederick County

Delegate C. Sue Hecht (D-3A), who represents part of Frederick County, is retiring. Hecht served two terms starting in 1994, stepped down in 2002 and was elected again in 2006. District 3A includes the City of Frederick and is also represented by fellow Democratic Delegate Galen Clagett. This district is extremely competitive. In 2002, Clagett and Republican Patrick N. Hogan shared it. In 2006, Hecht returned and Clagett edged out Hogan for the second seat by just 259 votes. Since Senator Alex Mooney (R-3), a top target of state Democrats, also represents the district, it will be a prime battleground this fall.

Following is Hecht's press release.

Press Release for April 19, 2010

Office of Maryland Delegate C. Sue Hecht, 3A
120 W. Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
3011-662-2464
Sue.hecht@house.state.md.us

Delegate C. Sue Hecht, District 3-A, is announcing that she will not seek re-election to the Maryland House of Delegates. Delegate Hecht served District 3, Frederick/Washington Counties for 8 years and has been state representative for Frederick’s District 3-A since 2006.

Delegate Hecht is a recognized leader in the Maryland General Assembly in advocating for victims of domestic violence, child sexual abuse and elder abuse. For 12 years, she was CEO of Heartly House, Inc., a Frederick not-for-profit, serving survivors of family violence and sexual assault.

In her current term, Delegate Hecht emerged as a leader for energy efficiency and renewable energy policy and received numerous awards from the solar industry. This year she chaired the Legislative Green Caucus which connected legislators with leaders in the environmental and energy industries to advocate for “green” policies.

Delegate Hecht is former President of the Women Legislators of Maryland, and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. She was named three times to the Daily Record Newspaper’s Top 100 Maryland Women and is currently a Deputy Majority Whip in the House of Delegates. She served for 8 years on the House Appropriations Committee where she was the Vice-Chair of the Transportation and Environment Sub-Committee. For the last 4 years, Delegate Hecht served on the House Economic Matters Committee.

“I have been honored to serve both Frederick and Washington Counties during my 12 years of elected office. I humbly thank my constituents, supporters, volunteers and staff—and most of all my wonderful family. I look forward to the next phase of my life-joining my supportive and patient husband, Dr. Robert Forder, in retirement.”

Delegate Hecht and her husband will continue to reside in the Worman’s Mill community in Frederick City.