{{Short description|American politician (born 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Christopher Eric Bouchat | image = Christopher Eric Bouchat (53555227757).jpg | caption = Bouchat in 2023 | state_delegate = Maryland | district = 5th | alongside = Chris Tomlinson and April Rose | term_start = January 11, 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Susan W. Krebs | successor = | office1 = Member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners<br>from the 4th district | term_start1 = December 4, 2018 | term_end1 = December 5, 2022 | predecessor1 = Richard Rothschild | successor1 = Michael Guerin | birth_name = Christopher Eric Bouchat | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|10|2}} | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | death_date = | dearth_place = | party = Republican | spouse = {{marriage|Carmelita Seda-Carothers||1997|end=div}}<br>{{marriage|April Shook||2007|end=div}} | children = 2{{efn|group=note|One child is deceased.<ref name="Overdose"/>}} | education = Catonsville Community College<br>University of Maryland, Baltimore County | website = {{url|friendsofbouchat.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Christopher Eric Bouchat''' (born October 2, 1967) is an American politician. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 5, which encompasses most of Carroll County, Maryland and a small part of southeastern Frederick County, Maryland. He was previously a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners from 2018 to 2022, representing District 4 in southwest Carroll County.
==Background== Bouchat graduated from St. Augustine's Catholic School (now St. Augustine Elementary School) and Howard High School. He attended the Howard Vocational-Technical Center, where he earned a welding certificate, Catonsville Community College, where he earned a degree in business administration, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he earned a degree in political science. Bouchat worked as a welder with Patrick Aircraft Tank Systems in Columbia, Maryland,<ref>{{cite news |title=PLANNING TO BE A WELDER? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/11/22/planning-to-be-a-welder/1c12a316-7de6-4904-a258-ba92e588c270/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Washington Post |date=November 22, 1990}}</ref> before starting his own welding business in 1994.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=Christopher Eric Bouchat, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa17939.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=August 8, 2025 |date=June 30, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Riles">{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Freshman House Republican riles colleagues with suggestion they're wasting their breath |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/03/14/freshman-house-republican-riles-colleagues-with-suggestion-theyre-wasting-their-breath/ |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 14, 2023}}</ref>
==Political involvement== Bouchat first became involved in politics in 1992, when he ran for the United States House of Representatives in Maryland's 3rd congressional district.<ref>{{cite news |title=1992 candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress in Maryland |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-12-24-1991358053-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 24, 1991}}</ref> In 1994, he unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland Senate in District 12, receiving 37 percent of the vote in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news |title=PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS 1994 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-09-14-1994257223-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 14, 1994}}</ref>
From 2003 to 2004, Bouchat served on the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee.<ref name="msa" />
In 2006, Bouchat ran for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, challenging the three incumbent Republican commissioners.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCandlish |first1=Laura |title=10 candidates face off for GOP primary |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-09-03-0609020140-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 3, 2006}}</ref> He once again ran for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners in 2010.<ref name="Lamone" />
In October 2013, Bouchat filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 9A, seeking to succeed outgoing state delegate Gail H. Bates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazarick |first1=Len |title=Md. General Assembly races: October update on candidates |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2013/10/01/md-general-assembly-races-october-update-on-candidates/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=MarylandReproter.com |date=October 1, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Alexandersen |first1=Christian |title=Candidate list for the 2014 election |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cct-arc-a5d12d77-f51f-5ae2-8445-fb7cb80b2e36-20140226-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 26, 2014}}</ref> Bouchat was the top vote-getter in the Carroll County part of the district, but lost the primary to Howard County Republicans Warren Miller and Trent Kittleman, both of whom went on to win the general election.<ref name="2016Hearing" />
[[File:Governor at MACO Crab Feast (48575057296).jpg|thumb|Bouchat (far back) with other members of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and Governor Larry Hogan, 2019]] In 2018, Bouchat ran for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners in District 4, seeking to succeed outgoing county commissioner Richard Rothschild. He won the Republican primary in June, receiving 44.1 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelvey |first1=Jon |title=Turnout light, incumbents strong in Carroll's primary |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-county-2018-primaries-20180625-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> He defeated Democrat Paul Johnson in the general election, receiving 65.5 percent of the vote,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turiano |first1=Jennifer |title=Frazier, Bouchat win contested Carroll County Board of Commissioners races; will join Wantz, Weaver, Rothstein |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-county-election-commissioners-2018-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> and was sworn in on December 4, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=From Towson to Annapolis to Columbia to Bel Air, new leaders taking office Monday |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-inaugurations-preview-20181129-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 3, 2018}}</ref> On July 26, 2019, Bouchat announced that he would not seek re-election to a second term in 2022.<ref name="Charter">{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Leah |title=Commissioner Bouchat won't run for re-election, he says day after charter government discussion delayed |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-charter-government-eric-bouchat-commissioner-20190726-4qqjq66a7zcmpacdrw6t2lp5vi-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 26, 2019}}</ref>
In March 2020, Bouchat expressed interest in running for the Maryland General Assembly.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Righter |first1=Catalina |title=Carroll County commissioner considering a run for Maryland's General Assembly |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-eric-bouchet-general-assembly-20200309-ju55uqylrjdadahr34pjhtfdh4-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> In December, Bouchat filed to fill a vacancy in the Maryland House of Delegates that was left vacant by the resignation of state delegate Warren Miller.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoetzer |first1=Pat |title=Carroll County Commissioner Eric Bouchat in mix for vacant state delegate position |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-eric-bouchat-delegate-position-20201231-6tthtg5ro5esnon7p4mqoppgdi-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> His candidacy was endorsed by former state delegates Al Redmer Jr. and Donald E. Murphy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoetzer |first1=Pat |title=Carroll, Howard committees working to fill state delegate vacancy; County Commissioner Eric Bouchat in running |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-state-delegate-vote-bouchat-20210105-t5alcbu3nvgtdbuvoz3cffcdi4-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> On January 6, 2021, fellow candidate Reid Novotny was selected to fill the rest of Miller's term.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Faguy |first1=Ana |title=Reid Novotny selected for vacant District 9A delegate seat, pending approval from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/howard/cng-ho-distric-9a-replacement-20210108-te7xifsufrgkpklv4kkqhnkcqu-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, Bouchat filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 9A, but was later redrawn into District 5.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bohnel |first1=Steve |title=After filing deadline drama, here's who's running in Montgomery County political races |url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/04/16/after-filing-deadline-drama-heres-whos-running-in-montgomery-county-political-races/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Bethesda Magazine |date=April 16, 2022}}</ref> Bouchat won the Republican primary on July 20, receiving 12.1 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanderson |first1=Michael |title=Carroll Delegate Race May Promote County Commissioner Bouchat |url=https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2022/07/20/carroll-delegate-race-may-promote-county-commissioner-bouchat/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Maryland Association of Counties |date=July 20, 2022}}</ref> He ran unopposed in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Angela |title=District 5 delegate candidate Bouchat focused on ending gerrymandering |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/district-5-delegate-candidate-bouchat-focused-on-ending-gerrymandering/article_22b5a7d2-0c35-5639-a9b2-95094b81ee65.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=September 5, 2022}}</ref>
===Redistricting lawsuits=== In 2012, Bouchat filed a lawsuit challenging the state's legislative redistricting plan, in which he pleaded to the Maryland Court of Appeals to establish a new legislative body that would have each county represented by two state senators and for the county's population to determine its number of state delegates, each belonging to a single-member district.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Siegel |first1=Andrea |title=General Assembly redistricting challenges argued at top court |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-ar-state-redistricting-20121107-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The Court of Appeals issued an order upholding the state's redistricting plan, denying Bouchat's arguments against it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lash |first1=Steve |title=Top court explains ruling on state redistricting plan |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2013/12/11/top-court-explains-ruling-on-state-redistricting-plan/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Daily Record |date=December 11, 2013}}</ref> In January 2013, Bouchat appealed the case by filing a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States.<ref name="SCOTUS13">{{cite news |last1=Alexandersen |first1=Christian |title=Carroll man petitions U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments on redistricting |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cct-arc-49406178-885b-58f9-b9e8-d3a79458bc3e-20130113-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 13, 2013}}</ref> The Supreme Court denied the petition on April 15.<ref>{{cite web |title=Christopher Eric Bouchat, Petitioner v. Maryland |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docketfiles/12-8321.htm |website=supremecourt.gov |publisher=Supreme Court of the United States |access-date=October 23, 2022 |date=January 22, 2013}}</ref>
In early 2015, Bouchat filed a lawsuit in the Carroll County Circuit Court challenging the state's legislative redistricting plan, which was dismissed after the judge determined that the court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.<ref name="Lamone">{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Heather |title=Supreme Court ruling boosts Woodbine man's challenge on Md. redistricting |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-redistricting-case-1230-20160102-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 2, 2016}}</ref> In August 2015, Bouchat again filed a lawsuit challenging the state's legislative redistricting plan, blaming the composition of District 9A for his loss in the 2014 elections.<ref name="2016Hearing">{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Heather |title=Local man defends challenge to legislative districts in U.S. District Court |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-bouchat-hearing-0713-20160712-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 12, 2016}}</ref>
===Maryland House of Delegates=== Bouchat was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 11, 2023.<ref name="msa" /> He is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=Jones announces new Democratic caucus, committee leaders for 2023 General Assembly session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/01/05/jones-announces-new-democratic-caucus-committee-leaders-for-2023-general-assembly-session/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>
====Tenure==== During his tenure, Bouchat had an uneasy relationship with the Republican caucus, criticizing his party's votes as "completely worthless" and voting with Democrats at a time when many in his party were against COVID-era rules, including pro forma sessions. He also claimed that being a state delegate caused his welding business to lose half a million dollars in income over four years.<ref name="Skipping">{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Bouchat, in bout of frustration, skipping floor votes and committee sessions as term ends |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/20/bouchat-in-bout-of-frustration-skipping-floor-votes-and-committee-sessions-as-term-ends/ |access-date=March 20, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 20, 2026}}</ref> In March 2023, Bouchat sent a letter to his House Republican colleagues in which he questioned their tactics during floor debates, asserting that they were being too performative during floor debates and urging them to "look inward for corrective measures that increase our future success rates". Later that week, six of the most vocal members of the House Republican Caucus released a letter criticizing Bouchat's comments, arguing that the party was able to reach its 50-seat minority in 2014 by speaking out against Democratic taxes and spending. Bouchat agreed that Republicans should contest Democrats in the 2026 legislative elections, but said "we need to stop annoying them" until then.<ref name="Riles" />
In February 2023, Bouchat, a member of the Frederick County Delegation, said that he would not vote or make any motions during the delegation's weekly meetings. In an email to ''The Frederick News-Post'', he said that delegation members who represent districts mostly in Washington or Carroll counties were in violation of a Maryland Supreme Court ruling if they voted in Frederick County Delegation meetings. Only 2.6 percent of District 5 residents, or about 3,500 people, live in Frederick County.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Jack |title=Lawmaker says Frederick County delegation votes were illegal |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/ethics/lawmaker-says-frederick-county-delegation-votes-were-illegal/article_ab9717d5-578f-5861-b445-c048260031f6.html |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=Frederick News-Post |date=February 3, 2023}}</ref> In 1995, an opinion from the Attorney General of Maryland stated that county delegations are "not subject to the 'one-person/one-vote' requirement" of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.<ref name="Delegation">{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Jack |title=Lawmakers push for Frederick County delegation to change how it votes |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/state/delegates/lawmakers-push-for-frederick-county-delegation-to-change-how-it-votes/article_250693ce-cea7-52ed-b2c4-da193d51937b.html |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=Frederick News-Post |date=March 6, 2023}}</ref>
In September 2024, Bouchat said that he would not run for re-election in 2026, instead expressing interest in a run for statewide office.<ref name="Delegation" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Del. Eric Bouchat, a Carroll Republican, says frustration has led him to not seek another term |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/09/04/del-eric-bouchat-a-carroll-republican-says-frustration-has-led-him-to-not-seek-another-term/ |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 4, 2024}}</ref> In June 2025, he told ''The Baltimore Sun'' that he was preparing to announce that he would run for governor of Maryland in 2026, seeking to challenge Democratic incumbent Wes Moore.<ref name="Governor2026">{{cite news |last1=Janesch |first1=Sam |title=Republican Del. Chris Bouchat plans run for Maryland governor in 2026 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/18/chris-bouchat-running-maryland-governor-in-2026/ |access-date=June 18, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 18, 2025}}</ref> In February 2026, Bouchat said that he would not file to run for governor in 2026, instead opting to run in 2030.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Erik |title=Most Frederick County state legislature races will be contested |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/most-frederick-county-state-legislature-races-will-be-contested/article_e5e4649c-19b4-507f-a35b-2dbe31d325ba.html |access-date=February 26, 2026 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=February 25, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
====2026 legislative session protest==== In February 2026, after it became apparent that the House Judiciary Committee would not move his bill to raise the salaries of some sheriffs to match that of the state's attorneys in their counties, Bouchat sent an email to House Republican leaders announcing that he would be voluntarily resigning from his committee and encouraging all House Republicans to do the same, saying that Republicans should "let this General Assembly be a shipwreck and watch it happen without us having any blame symbolically". A spokesperson for House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk confirmed that Bouchat had also sent her a letter announcing his intent to resign from his committee, but said this was not something he had the ability to do. Bouchat also began skipping floor sessions—only appearing to register his presence during the first quorum call of the day and leave a bust of Socrates on his desk—but continued to respond to constituents and attend functions.<ref name="Skipping"/>
In March 2026, state senator Justin Ready and state delegates Chris Tomlinson and April Rose, all of whom represent the 5th district alongside Bouchat, issued a statement calling for Bouchat's resignation, citing his decision to skip floor sessions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Carroll legislators call for Bouchat's resignation |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/25/carroll-legislators-call-for-bouchats-resignation/ |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 25, 2026}}</ref> Bouchat refused the legislators' calls, saying that his resignation would give an unfair advantage to whoever succeeds him,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carey |first1=Lily |title=Bouchat says he won't resign despite Carroll legislators' scathing letter saying he's 'engaged in odd and counterproductive behavior' |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/2026/03/25/carroll-lawmakers-bouchat-resign/ |access-date=March 25, 2026 |work=The Capital |date=March 25, 2026}}</ref> but offered to donate some of his salary as a lawmaker to charities of the lawmakers' choosing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |last2=Sears |first2=Bryan P. |title=Bouchat gets charitable, Ellis gets angry, Kramer gets reviewed, in political notes |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/27/bouchat-gets-charitable-ellis-gets-angry-kramer-gets-reviewed-in-political-notes/ |access-date=March 27, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 27, 2026}}</ref> On March 27, Bouchat sent another email to Republican Caucus leaders accusing them of using Tomlinson against him in a public pressure campaign, writing that leaders were exploiting him "to be your bitch" and that "if we were in prison, you would be sexually abusing him". House minority leader Jason C. Buckel and Tomlinson both denied Bouchat's claims, with Tomlinson stating that he was "nobody's bitch". Later that month, he left $1,000 checks for each of his 5th district colleagues that he said were a gift to his colleagues to donate to the charities of their choice; the legislators all voided and returned these checks to Bouchat, with Ready describing the checks as "bribe-like" and reporting it to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Return to sender: Lawmakers unhappy with $1,000 checks left on their desks |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/31/return-to-sender-lawmakers-unhappy-with-1000-checks-left-on-their-desks/ |access-date=April 1, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 1, 2026}}</ref>
In April 2026, state delegate Lauren Arikan filed a resolution of expulsion against Bouchat over his protest. The Constitution of Maryland allows for the removal of a lawmaker for failure to act, but only one lawmaker, former state senator Frank McCourt, has ever come close to being expelled for failure to act.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=House Republican seeks to expel Bouchat for absences |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/04/03/house-republican-seeks-to-expel-bouchat-for-absences/ |access-date=April 3, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 3, 2026}}</ref> Bouchat dismissed the resolution as "truly a distraction and seems disingenuous" and questioned the need to expel him, noting that the General Assembly was entering its last full week before adjourning sine die.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Resolution to expel Bouchat gets support, then gets sent to dead-end committee |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/04/04/resolution-to-expel-bouchat-gets-support-then-gets-sent-to-dead-end-committee/ |access-date=April 4, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 4, 2026}}</ref> Anne Healey, the chair of the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, where Arikan's resolution was referred, told ''The Baltimore Banner'' that she was unlikely to bring the resolution up for consideration, saying that the committee doesn't "normally have hearings on late-filed bills".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wintrode |first1=Brenda |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Lawmaker seeks to expel Del. Christopher Eric Bouchat after weeks of missed votes |url=https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/maryland-lawmakers-seek-to-expel-eric-bouchat-54T3J7UQUBBARMXGYXD4QSFODE/ |access-date=April 3, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=April 3, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===COVID-19 pandemic=== In April 2020, Bouchat voted against closing the Northern Landfill in Westminster, Maryland for 15 days to reduce risk of spreading COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Westminster landfill closed to residential self-haulers for 15 days to reduce coronavirus risk |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/cc-commissioners-close-landfill-20200409-7kzfghqmbre5vcsg2hrwgn6kj4-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Later that month, he voted to reopen the landfill early with reduced hours and restrictions preventing residents outside the county from using it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Northern Landfill in Westminster to reopen to residents early, with some restrictions |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-landfill-reopen-commissioners-20200416-rgzovbtgyvapbowhfzam7cgb5e-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 16, 2020}}</ref>
In June 2020, Bouchat attended and spoke at a Reopen Maryland rally in Westminster to protest the state's COVID-19 restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoetzer |first1=Pat |title=Carroll County Freedom Rally holds peaceful, passionate protest in Westminster |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-freedom-rally-20200606-bjeo2pinxrhwvfaqmgpjo27tvq-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 6, 2020}}</ref> At the rally, he suggested allowing businesses to set their own policies on when people need to wear masks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |last2=Stoetzer |first2=Pat |title='Reopen' rally planned in Carroll County to protest remaining coronavirus-related restrictions in Maryland |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/cc-carroll-county-freedom-rally-preview-20200604-gb5b2giodbbtzczossy7gx5efq-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 5, 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, he wrote an op-ed for the ''Carroll County Times'' that questioned the value of wearing masks in public.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Compere |first1=Brian |title=Carroll County leaders launch campaign promoting masks to prevent COVID-19 spread; 8 new cases confirmed |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/cc-carroll-covid-cases-july-17-20200716-f3x77ztkrje4llmfjc2iaemvti-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Carroll County Times |date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> His remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic were criticized by Robert Wack, the deputy health officer for the Carroll County Health Department, who wrote in a letter to the ''Carroll County Times'' later that month that Bouchat's "dangerously ignorant opinions are a direct threat to the health and well-being of the county".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=Sherry |title=Bouchat, Frazier, Wantz, and Weaver finish terms as Carroll County commissioners and say they're honored to have served |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-outgoing-commissioners-20221125-g2tbaczrsbcytcrmifdbuwgqqq-story.html |access-date=April 29, 2023 |work=Carroll County Times |date=November 25, 2022}}</ref>
In August 2021, Bouchat suggested that the Board of Commissioners boycott the annual Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference over its masking recommendations, saying that he had cancelled his attendance to the event after learning about the policy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Bouchat suggests Carroll commissioners boycott Maryland counties conference over masking guidelines |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-bouchat-boycott-maco-20210805-bmvyirxgyvgczgafqmpufzg4ee-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> He later told ''Maryland Matters'' that he did not oppose masks or vaccines, but opposed mandates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Local Officials Hit MACo to Burnish Policy Chops, But Politics Over Masks Are Crashing the Party |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/08/12/local-officials-hit-maco-to-burnish-policy-chops-but-politics-over-mask-policy-are-crashing-the-party/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, Bouchat was the only commissioner to vote against instituting a modified mask policy at Carroll County government facilities, which required unvaccinated county government employees to wear a mask while indoors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=Carroll commissioners encourage vaccinations, vote to require masks in government buildings |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-commissioners-meeting-20211230-lhuskhrlengt5j233e2x7ywe34-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 30, 2021}}</ref> In February 2022, Bouchat declined to attend the State of the County address at the Carroll Arts Center, which was attended by all other county commissioners, because of its indoor mask-wearing requirement. He instead opted to protest outside the building by handing out copies of a written speech to those walking in.<ref name="SotC">{{cite news |last1=Bateman |first1=Madison |title=COVID-19 relief funding, farmland preservation top 'State of the County' address in Westminster |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-state-of-the-county-20220222-qmdp3anxcnetvf4twoabtlypcq-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 22, 2022}}</ref>
===Environment=== In October 2025, Bouchat said that he planned to introduce a bill during the 2026 legislative session to eliminate Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, calling the program "obsolete" and overly costly for taxpayers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Mennatalla |title=Del. Bouchat seeks to end Maryland's vehicle emissions inspection program |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/28/del-bouchat-emission-inspection/ |access-date=December 27, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 28, 2025}}</ref>
===Government=== In July 2019, Bouchat introduced a bill that would place a question on the 2020 ballot that, if approved, would change Carroll County's form of government from a commission to a charter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=Carroll County commissioners put charter government discussion on hold, leaving issue off 2020 ballot |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-commissioners-charter-20190725-ooudgeveo5apjhve7eqczjs7gy-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> After the Board of Commissioners voted to hold off on discussions on converting to a charter government, Bouchat announced that he would not seek re-election to a second term as county commissioner in 2022.<ref name="Charter" /> In November 2020, Bouchat voted to pass a resolution that would establish a nine-member committee to write a charter; the resolution failed to pass in a 2–3 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blackwell |first1=Penelope |title=Carroll County commissioners vote down motion to create charter writing committee |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-board-of-commissioners-vote-against-charter-committee-20201106-jb6lzu6rwbc2dbo5jpt6wmfz4i-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 6, 2020}}</ref>
In January 2021, Bouchat recused himself as a non-voting member of the county's Planning and Zoning Commission, and soon after filed motions to eliminate the non-voting positions from the county's Board of Education and Planning and Zoning Commission.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoetzer |first1=Pat |title=Carroll County Commissioner Eric Bouchat bows out as ex-officio member of Planning and Zoning Commission |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-bouchat-out-planning-zoning-commission-20210120-5ln4h3lerndibeens42xc7llzm-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> Both motions failed to gain a second and were not voted upon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stoetzer |first1=Pat |title=Carroll County Commissioner Eric Bouchat's motions seeking to eliminate school board, planning commission roles fail |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-bouchat-motions-denied-commish-meeting-20210122-fqjnhpnqind4fb5trjcccbh6a4-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 21, 2021}}</ref>
===Immigration=== During the 2026 legislative session, Bouchat opposed a bill to prohibit counties from entering into 287(g) program agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying that the bill puts "an over-emphasis on anxieties and concerns of our illegal citizens over the concerns of public safety of Maryland citizens".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Katharine |title=Maryland House committee passes bill to end ICE contracts |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/28/house-committee-passes-bill-287g/ |access-date=January 28, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 28, 2026}}</ref>
===Redistricting=== In September 2022, Bouchat said he supported a constitutional amendment to the Constitution of Maryland establishing a 188-member redistricting commission to draw Maryland's congressional and legislative maps, with each of its members elected proportionally to a county's population and in non-partisan elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Angela |title=District 5 delegate candidate Bouchat focused on ending gerrymandering |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/election_coverage/district-5-delegate-candidate-bouchat-focused-on-ending-gerrymandering/article_22b5a7d2-0c35-5639-a9b2-95094b81ee65.html |access-date=April 9, 2023 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=September 5, 2022}}</ref>
===Social issues=== In June 2020, Bouchat joined a Black Lives Matter protest in Westminster.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kyles |first1=Akira |title=Black Lives Matter protests continuing in Westminster |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-blm-protests-westminster-20200608-iwiezqsryvbupo6hlvtbw7nu3i-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 8, 2020}}</ref> Later that month, he proposed creating a heritage commission to recognize the history and achievements of African Americans in Carroll County.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Mary Grace |title=To promote black heritage and combat 'unacceptable' racism, Carroll County moves to create diversity commission |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-diversity-commission-20200619-klxw6qllpvezbbkgxfav6dof6q-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 19, 2020}}</ref>
In February 2022, Bouchat distributed copies of a printed speech at the annual State of the County address, in which he wrote that he believed that the board of commissioners would benefit from not being made up of "old Caucasian males," calling on women to "step up and take control of our local government".<ref name="SotC" />
During the 2025 legislative session, Bouchat voted against a bill that would create a commission to study reparations for slavery in Maryland. Following its passage, he wrote to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to suggest Brown begin compiling historical data to use in potential legal action that may arise against the Maryland Democratic Party for state legislation enacted concerning slavery and Jim Crow laws.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Natalie |title=Carroll County lawmaker sends letter to AG after reparations bill passage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/04/03/carroll-county-lawmaker-sends-letter-to-ag-after-reparations-bill-passage/ |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>
In September 2025, Bouchat signed onto a letter to the Maryland State Board of Education opposing a proposal that would allow the state superintendent to overrule local Board of Education decisions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carey |first1=Lily |title=Carroll leaders say state schools leader is stripping away local control |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/09/15/state-superintendent-local-control/ |access-date=September 15, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 15, 2025}}</ref>
===State and national politics=== In 2016, Bouchat ran as an unaffiliated delegate to the Republican National Convention in Maryland's 8th congressional district. He said that he would vote for Donald Trump on the first ballot if the voters sent him to the Convention, and hoped that Trump would pick John Kasich as his running mate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Heather |title=Carroll GOP delegate candidates discuss plans for possible contested convention |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/ph-cc-convention-delegates-20160423-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 23, 2016}}</ref>
In January 2021, Bouchat condemned the January 6 United States Capitol attack and compared the presidential transition to what happens with the Board of Commissioners:<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blubaugh |first1=Bob |title=Amid their own 'peaceful transition of power,' Carroll County commissioners denounce attack on Capitol |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-carroll-commissioners-denounce-dc-insurrection-20210107-omxsyg5rznbulfnomcfyuqjpua-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> {{Blockquote |text=I just ask people to step back, take a deep breath and allow things to unfold and allow the transition of power to take place. Even though I did not vote for the president-elect, he is our president and everyone must respect that, just as my colleagues are setting the example now. We transitioned from President Wantz to President Rothstein. That is a wonderful thing. }}
In 2022, Bouchat endorsed former Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schulz for governor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Endorsements in the Race for Maryland Governor |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/31/endorsements-in-the-race-for-maryland-governor/ |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 31, 2022}}</ref>
===Taxes=== In March 2023, Bouchat voted against an amendment that would remove a provision that indexed the state's gas tax to the consumer price index. The amendment failed by a 38–90 vote, with Bouchat being the only House Republican to vote against it.<ref name="Riles" /> During his 2026 gubernatorial campaign, he told ''The Baltimore Sun'' that he supported changing Maryland's tax system to a 3% flat tax on all income, capital gains, and sales.<ref name="Governor2026" />
==Personal life== Bouchat divorced his first wife, Carmelita Seda-Carothers, in 1997, defending himself in court during the divorce proceedings.<ref name="SCOTUS13" /> That same year, Bouchat was convicted of second-degree assault in a domestic abuse with Seda-Carothers. In July 2007, he divorced his second wife, April Elizabeth Shook, who claimed that Bouchat had physically and verbally assaulted her as they sought their divorce. Her abuse claims were thrown out by Judge Thomas Stansfield after no evidence proving the abuse could be produced. In September, Bouchat filed a lawsuit against Shook, charging her claim that he had physically abused her destroyed his campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Silvestri |first1=Mike |title=Former candidate sues ex-wife over campaign |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/former-candidate-sues-ex-wife-over-campaign |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Washington Examiner |date=September 10, 2007}}</ref>
In February 2014, the Internal Revenue Service placed a $42,526 tax lien on Bouchat, which was the result of embezzlement by his daughter, Tawni Bouchat, whom he had employed as a bookkeeper at his own business. The lien led him to initiate criminal charges against Tawni for stealing $21,120 from his company, which she was found guilty of in January 2015. In November 2018, after winning election to the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, Bouchat settled the tax lien by paying $13,000 to the IRS.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turiano |first1=Jennifer |title=Commissioner-elect Bouchat settles tax lien, prepares to tackle Carroll's opioid epidemic |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-christopher-eric-bouchat-tax-lien-settled-20181203-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>
Tawni Bouchat died of a fentanyl overdose in 2017, which he says "threw me into a depression, it threw me into alcoholism, so I always advise people out there when you've suffered a loss of someone very close you are extremely vulnerable to become an addict yourself."<ref name="Overdose">{{cite news |last1=Spence |first1=Molly Fellin |title='Forever affected by these losses': Carroll County set to observe overdose awareness day |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-proclamation-overdose-awareness-20220828-b7jpwa2dxjfhjd4l52xczo3dpi-story.html |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
Bouchat is a Christian.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bouchat |first1=Christopher Eric |title=Eric Bouchat: Shoemaker would rather Maryland GOP be irrelevant {{!}} COMMENTARY |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/03/26/eric-bouchat-shoemaker-would-rather-maryland-gop-be-irrelevant-commentary/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland's 3rd congressional district Republican primary election, 1992<ref>{{cite web | title = 1992 Presidential Primary Election Results | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1992/results_1992/preparep.html | date = February 16, 2001}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = William T. S. Bricker |votes = 3,667 |percentage = 24.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mark Kevin White |votes = 3,307 |percentage = 21.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 2,659 |percentage = 17.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Fredric M. Parker |votes = 1,885 |percentage = 12.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Wyatt A. Rogers |votes = 1,714 |percentage = 11.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Joseph M. Werner Jr. |votes = 1,013 |percentage = 6.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Edward Lerp |votes = 890 |percentage = 5.9 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 12 Republican primary election, 1994<ref>{{cite web | title = 1994 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1994/results_1994/passe.html | date = February 6, 2001}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = David P. Maier |votes = 3,021 |percentage = 63.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 1,748 |percentage = 36.7 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Carroll County Commissioner Republican primary election, 2006<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Carroll County | work = Carroll County Board of Elections | publisher = Maryland State Archives | url = https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/carr/elect/primary/carr2006p.html | date = March 14, 2022}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Julia Walsh Gouge |votes = 7,100 |percentage = 17.1 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Dean L. Minnich |votes = 6,300 |percentage = 15.1 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Michael D. Zimmer |votes = 6,053 |percentage = 14.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Perry L. Jones, Jr. |votes = 5,703 |percentage = 13.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mary Kowalski |votes = 4,344 |percentage = 10.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Douglas Eugene Myers |votes = 3,532 |percentage = 8.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Douglas Howard |votes = 3,138 |percentage = 7.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = David Greenwalt |votes = 2,802 |percentage = 6.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 2,205 |percentage = 5.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Wade Emory Miracle |votes = 439 |percentage = 1.1 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Carroll County Commissioner District 4 Republican primary election, 2010<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Carroll County | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/gen_results_2010_1_by_county_070.html}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Richard S. Rothschild |votes = 1,391 |percentage = 36.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Perry Leroy Jones, Jr. |votes = 795 |percentage = 20.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 763 |percentage = 20.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = David Jones |votes = 711 |percentage = 18.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Hank Martin |votes = 150 |percentage = 3.9 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 9A Republican primary election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01609A.html | date = July 16, 2014}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Warren E. Miller |votes = 3,354 |percentage = 29.2 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Trent Kittleman |votes = 2,574 |percentage = 22.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Frank Mirabile |votes = 2,509 |percentage = 21.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Kyle Lorton |votes = 1,620 |percentage = 14.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 1,426 |percentage = 12.4 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Carroll County Commissioner District 4 Republican primary election, 2018<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Carroll County | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_by_county_070.html | date = July 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 1,155 |percentage = 44.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = W. Paul Burkett |votes = 897 |percentage = 34.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Bret D. Grossnickle |votes = 422 |percentage = 16.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Sean Shaffer |votes = 143 |percentage = 5.5 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Carroll County Commissioner District 4 election, 2018<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for Carroll County | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_by_county_07-1.html | date = December 11, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 9,981 |percentage = 65.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Paul Johnson |votes = 5,221 |percentage = 34.3 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 28 |percentage = 0.2 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 5 Republican primary election, 2022<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_7_8.html | date = August 24, 2022}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = April Rose |votes = 8,636 |percentage = 22.6 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Chris Tomlinson |votes = 6,847 |percentage = 17.9 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Christopher Eric Bouchat |votes = 4,620 |percentage = 12.1 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Sallie B. Taylor |votes = 4,470 |percentage = 11.7 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Stephen A. Wantz |votes = 4,373 |percentage = 11.4 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Dennis E. Frazier |votes = 3,563 |percentage = 9.3 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Scott Willens |votes = 3,765 |percentage = 9.8 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Scott Jendrek |votes = 1,993 |percentage = 5.2 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change |title=Maryland House of Delegates District 5 election, 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_8.html |website=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=August 21, 2023 |date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = April Rose |votes = 33,971 |percentage = 33.11 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Christopher Bouchat |votes = 33,286 |percentage = 32.44 }}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Chris Tomlinson |votes = 32,485 |percentage = 31.66 }}{{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 2,872 |percentage = 2.80 }}{{Election box end}}
==Notes and references== ===Notes=== {{reflist|group=note}}
===References=== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite web |title=Members – Delegate Christopher Eric Bouchat |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/bouchat01 |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023}}
{{Current members of the MD House of Delegates}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bouchat, Christopher Eric}} Category:1967 births Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:Candidates in the 1992 United States elections Category:Christians from Maryland Category:Community College of Baltimore County alumni Category:County commissioners in Maryland Category:Living people Category:People from Woodbine, Maryland Category:Politicians from Baltimore Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:University of Maryland, Baltimore County alumni