{{Short description|American politician (born 1951)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = James Rosapepe | image = James Rosapepe 2024 (cropped).jpg | caption = Rosapepe in 2024 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|5|20|mf=y}} | birth_place = Rome, Italy | death_date = | death_place = | state_senate = Maryland | district = 21st | term_start = January 10, 2007 | term_end = | predecessor = John A. Giannetti Jr. | successor = | office1 = United States Ambassador to Romania | term_start1 = January 20, 1998 | term_end1 = March 1, 2001 | predecessor1 = Alfred H. Moses | successor1 = Michael E. Guest | president1 = Bill Clinton<br/>George W. Bush | state_delegate2 = Maryland | district2 = 21st | term_start2 = January 3, 1987 | term_end2 = December 31, 1997 | predecessor2 = Thomas J. Mooney | successor2 = Brian R. Moe | party = Democratic | occupation = Businessman | education = Yale University<br/>Georgetown University | spouse = Sheilah A. Kast | children = | signature = James Rosapepe signature.svg }} '''James Carew Rosapepe''' (born May 20, 1951) is an American politician and diplomat serving as a member of the Maryland Senate since 2007, representing District 21. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1987 to 1997, and was the United States Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001.
==Early life and education== Rosapepe was born in Rome on May 20, 1951, where his parents were working as American journalists.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=James C. Rosapepe, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa12300.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="stategov" /> His grandparents had migrated to the United States from Russia in the early 20th century.<ref name="DreamAct" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=Senate OKs Bill to Extend Tax Credit to Thousands of Immigrants |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/19/senate-oks-bill-to-extend-tax-credit-to-thousands-of-immigrants/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> Rosapepe grew up in New York before moving to Arlington County, Virginia in the late 1960s,<ref name="Pierre" /><ref name="Nixon">{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |title=Jim Rosapepe Stirs Up Tempest In White House |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-jim-rosapepe-stirs-up-te/154285645/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Daily Times |date=April 12, 1970 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and attended Yale University as an undergraduate, but did not graduate,<ref name="Pierre" /> and later studied at Georgetown University.<ref>{{cite news |title=House of Delegates, District 21 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/09/08/house-of-delegates-district-21/5a1035f2-6766-4863-9f3e-16589bbf704b/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 8, 1994}}</ref>
==Career== Rosapepe has been involved in politics since he was 17 years old.<ref name="Pierre">{{cite news |last1=Pierre |first1=Robert E. |title=To get where he's going, diplomacy did wonders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1997/11/28/to-get-where-hes-going-diplomacy-did-wonders/2fa94ede-8587-4fce-82a9-630bedb30e82/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 28, 1997}}</ref> While living in Arlington, he served as the president of the Arlington Youth Council. Rosapepe took a year off from attending Yale to work as an intern to the President's Council on Youth Opportunity within the Nixon administration. During his internship, he was the subject of multiple White House memos that questioned whether he should have a voice in the Youth Conference, citing his activism and anti-Nixon views. Despite these memos, White House aide Steve Hess, who hired Rosapepe, said that he would not consider discharging him as the council also included members of the right-wing Young Americans for Freedom organization, and that having "some radical liberals" in the Youth Conference gave it credibility.<ref name="Nixon" /> Afterwards, Rosapepe worked as a policy assistant to various congressmembers, for whom he worked on macroeconomic and competition issues.<ref name="stategov" /> From 1979 to 1981, he served as a member of the National Petroleum Council. Rosapepe worked for the Maryland Committee on Federal Income Tax Conformity in 1982, and afterwards chaired the Economic Development Committee for the city of College Park, Maryland, until 1986. He also served as a member of the Maryland Democratic State Central Committee from 1985 to 1992, and later as the treasurer of the Maryland Democratic Party from 1985 to 1989 and as its deputy chair 1989 to 1992.<ref name="msa" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Kumpa |first=Pete |title=Maryland Democrats assemble a winning team|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-maryland-democrats-assem/154285678/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 17, 1986 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Rosapepe served as the president of the Maryland Main Street Development Association from 1984 to 1985. Afterwards, he served on the boards of directors for the Center for National Policy and National Small Business United until 1992. Since 2001, Rosapepe has served as the chief executive officer of Patuxent Capital Group.<ref name="msa" /> He has also worked as a federal lobbyist for the Multistate Tax Commission.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smitherman |first1=Laura |title=Legislator, lobbyist: a delicate dance |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/05/11/legislator-lobbyist-a-delicate-dance/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 11, 2008}}</ref>
===Maryland House of Delegates=== Rosapepe was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 3, 1987. During his tenure, he was a member of the Spending Affordability Committee from 1987 to 1993, afterwards serving as its vice chair from 1995 until his resignation on December 31, 1997.<ref name="msa" /> ''The Baltimore Sun'' described Rosapepe as a suburban liberal—supporting organized labor, environmental advocacy, and increased education spending—and as an ally of Governor Parris Glendening.<ref name="Glendening">{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Thomas W. |title=Rosapepe is proudly a Friend of Parris PG County delegate often defends governor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/02/09/rosapepe-is-proudly-a-friend-of-parris-pg-county-delegate-often-defends-governor/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 9, 1997}}</ref> He also became involved with foreign policy issues during his tenure, attending an exchange trip to China in 1982 and extensively traveled to parts of the former Soviet Union. In 1995, Rosapepe was appointed to the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund.<ref name="Pierre" />
Rosapepe worked as a national treasurer for U.S. Senator Paul Simon's 1988 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kumpa |first=Pete |title=Simon, here today, has become the 'hot' candidate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-simon-here-today-has-b/154285704/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 11, 1987 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He worked on the 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, in which he helped organize Italian Americans behind Clinton<ref name="stategov" /> and got to know Clinton, Al Gore, and many of their close advisors, including Sandy Berger and John Podesta.<ref name="Pierre" />
===Ambassador to Romania=== thumb|Rosapepe in 1999 On September 25, 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Rosapepe to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania.<ref name="ClintonNom">{{cite news |last1=Zorzi |first1=William F. Jr. |author-link=William F. Zorzi |title=Delegate to be nominated as Romania ambassador 'Honored' Rosapepe eager to support transition there |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/09/26/delegate-to-be-nominated-as-romania-ambassador-honored-rosapepe-eager-to-support-transition-there/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 26, 1997}}</ref> He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 6, 1997, and was officially sworn in on January 20, 1998.<ref name="stategov" /> In this capacity, Rosapepe helped integrate Romania into NATO and helped secure the country's support in the Kosovo War, and supported the country's transition to a democratic free market system by promoting U.S.-Romanian trade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rosapepe Sails Through Nomination Hearing For Ambassadorship |url=https://cnsmaryland.org/1997/10/23/rosapepe-sails-through-nomination-hearing-for-ambassadorship/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Capital News Service |date=October 23, 1997}}</ref><ref name="StateDeptMemo" /> He also criticized Cluj-Napoca mayor Gheorghe Funar for campaigning against a law granting rights to Romania's ethnic Hungarian minority.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anti-minority rally spurs envoy to cancel meeting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-anti-minority-rally-sp/154285726/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 17, 2001 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Rosapepe was the subject of an internal State Department report in which officials claimed that morale within the embassy plunged during his tenure and that the embassy often provided "inadequate" information on Romanian affairs, with communications often "tilted towards the Romanian perspective".<ref name="StateDeptMemo">{{cite news |title=A scorching report card for our Romanian envoy; Rosapepe supporters dismiss the criticism of former Md. delegate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/12/22/a-scorching-report-card-for-our-romanian-envoy-rosapepe-supporters-dismiss-the-criticism-of-former-md-delegate/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 22, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kamen |first1=Al |title=Another Look at Gore's Background |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-12/24/066r-122499-idx.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 24, 1999}}</ref>
===USM Board of Regents=== Following his ambassadorship, Rosapepe was appointed by Governor Parris Glendening to serve on the University System Board of Regents from 2001 to 2006.<ref name="msa" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Glendening's ideas fall |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/07/13/glendenings-ideas-fall/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 13, 2003}}</ref> In this capacity, he voted against tuition increases<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowie |first1=Liz |title=Regents approve tuition increase |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/01/07/regents-approve-tuition-increase/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 7, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McCoy |first=Lydia X. |title=Regents' panel backs increase |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-tuition-regents-panel/154285753/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Daily Times |date=October 10, 2003 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and criticized Governor Bob Ehrlich for vetoing the Higher Education Affordability and Access Act, a bill to cap tuition increases for three years and restore budget cuts to higher education.<ref>{{cite news |last=Neff |first=Christine |title=Regents trustee decries college tuition hikes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-regents-trustee-decrie/154285777/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=October 29, 2004 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Argetsinger |first1=Amy |last2=Hernandez |first2=Nelson |title=Md. House Connects Tuition, Tax Increases |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/03/30/md-house-connects-tuition-tax-increases/55f09871-a9c0-4ec2-b806-63eb464df6f0/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 30, 2004}}</ref> He also founded the Marylanders for Access to Quality Higher Education to lobby for the legislature to override the governor's veto on the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stuckey |first=Tom |title=Lawmakers return for showdown over vetoed bills |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-lawmakers-return-for-s/154285795/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=January 10, 2005 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
===Maryland Senate=== In 2006, after Governor Bob Ehrlich did not reappoint Rosapepe to the University System Board of Regents,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Skalka |first1=Jennifer |title=Hug resigns from Board of Regents |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/05/11/hug-resigns-from-board-of-regents/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=May 11, 2006}}</ref> Rosapepe launched a primary challenge against state Senator John A. Giannetti Jr., who was perceived by other Democratic lawmakers as being too conservative after siding with Republicans and Governor Bob Ehrlich on key votes, including a bill to ban assault weapons in Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate race draws notice |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/09/03/senate-race-draws-notice/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 3, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maryland Primary only 2 weeks away (PART II) |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2006/08/30/241261/-Maryland-Primary-only-2-weeks-away-(PART-II) |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Daily Kos |date=August 30, 2006 |language=en}}</ref> During the Democratic primary, Giannetti gained national attention after performing the Heimlich maneuver on Rosapepe, who was choking on a piece of lobster at an Italian restaurant they were both eating at.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Annapolis restaurant, state senator saves challenger from choking |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-in-annapolis-restauran/154285822/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 2, 2006 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vozzella |first1=Laura |title=At this point, it's all just leftovers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/09/06/at-this-point-its-all-just-leftovers/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 6, 2006}}</ref> Rosapepe defeated Giannetti in the Democratic primary with 58 percent of the vote, after which Giannetti switched his party affiliation to Republican to run against Rosapepe in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Andrew A. |last2=McGowan |first2=Phillip |title=Arundel senator switches parties |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/09/27/arundel-senator-switches-parties/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 27, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Marbella |first1=Jean |title=New party, same old story with Giannetti |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/10/02/new-party-same-old-story-with-giannetti/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 2, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Democrats claim senator mislabels party affiliation |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/10/19/democrats-claim-senator-mislabels-party-affiliation/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 19, 2006}}</ref> Rosapepe again defeated Giannetti in the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hernandez |first1=Nelson |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. |title=Democrats' Picks Lead in School Board Race |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/11/08/democrats-picks-lead-in-school-board-race-span-classbankheadfacing-little-opposition-the-party-also-takes-the-executives-office-and-county-council-span/24301866-3e72-4cb6-a16e-5e95b4737462/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 8, 2006}}</ref>
thumb|Rosapepe in the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2023 Rosapepe was sworn in on January 10, 2007. He was a member of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee from 2007 to 2016, afterwards serving on the Finance Committee. Rosapepe has served as a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee since 2019, and as the committee's vice chair since 2020.<ref name="msa" />
In January 2012, Rosapepe expressed interest in running for comptroller of Maryland in 2014 if Peter Franchot ran for governor instead of seeking re-election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McPherson |first1=Lindsey |title=Laurel state Sen. Jim Rosapepe considering running for comptroller in 2014 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ll-rosapepe-0126-20120123-story.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930003914/https://www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ll-rosapepe-0126-20120123-story.html |archive-date=September 30, 2020}}</ref> Franchot declined to run for governor in 2014, and Rosapepe subsequently ran for reelection to the Maryland Senate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Franchot says he won't run for governor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/12/11/franchot-says-he-wont-run-for-governor-2/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 11, 2012}}</ref>
In April 2019, Rosapepe and state Delegate Erek Barron launched "Biden for Maryland", becoming the first two Maryland lawmakers to endorse his bid for president.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle |title=Two State Lawmakers Launch 'Biden for Maryland' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/04/25/two-state-lawmakers-launch-biden-for-maryland/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> He also organized groups of ethnic leaders from Central and Eastern Europe, including Wesley Clark, to support and campaign for Biden in swing states.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=What Marylanders Might Play a Prominent Role in a Biden Administration? |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/10/28/what-marylanders-might-play-a-prominent-role-in-a-biden-administration/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 28, 2020}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===Education=== In April 1994, Rosapepe said he opposed a bill to provide state funding to build a new stadium for the Washington Redskins in Laurel, Maryland, saying that the stadium funds should instead go toward improving state schools.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two lawmakers oppose moving football team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-two-lawmakers-oppose-m/154285843/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=April 4, 1994 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During the 1997 legislative session, he led an unsuccessful revolt against House leadership, in which he rallied for increased funding for education in underserved communities and Baltimore.<ref name="ClintonNom" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=C. Fraser |title=Remembering the ethic of service; Lawmakers: Individual legislators still take a stand and make a difference when they vote |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/04/29/remembering-ethic-of-service-lawmakers-individual-legislators-still-take-a-stand-and-make-a-difference-when-they-vote/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 29, 1997}}</ref>
During the 2008 legislative session, Rosapepe introduced legislation that would allow disabled students to participate in school sports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=John |title=Measure would allow disabled, able-bodied students to compete |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/03/12/measure-would-allow-disabled-able-bodied-students-to-compete/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 12, 2008}}</ref>
During the 2011 legislative session, Rosapepe voted for Maryland's Dream Act, a bill that extended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |title=These are the Senators who voted for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/03/17/these-are-the-senators-who-voted-for-in-state-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 17, 2011}}</ref> In 2020, he supported a bill to lower the requirements for undocumented immigrants to apply for in-state tuition at public colleges.<ref name="DreamAct">{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=How the Veto Override Votes Went Down in the House and Senate |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/31/how-the-veto-override-votes-went-down-in-the-house-and-senate/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 31, 2020}}</ref>
In September 2013, Rosapepe expressed concerns with an Anne Arundel County Public Schools agreement that allowed school properties to be considered as possible cell site locations, which he said could affect the health of students.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burris |first1=Joe |title=Lawmakers question effort to evaluate Arundel school sites for cell towers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/09/05/lawmakers-question-effort-to-evaluate-arundel-school-sites-for-cell-towers/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 5, 2013}}</ref>
In October 2018, Rosapepe defended University of Maryland, College Park president Wallace Loh following the death of football player Jordan McNair, saying that it was "insane" that people wanted to make Loh "a scapegoat" for McNair's death.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=College Park State Senator Gives Vote of Confidence to UMD President |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/10/25/college-park-state-senator-gives-vote-of-confidence-to-umd-president/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 25, 2018}}</ref> He urged Loh to stay as president after he offered his retirement later that month,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Donovan |first1=Doug |title=Political outrage erupts over Maryland President Loh retiring while coach, athletic director keep jobs |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/10/30/political-outrage-erupts-over-maryland-president-loh-retiring-while-coach-athletic-director-keep-jobs/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> and celebrated Loh's decision to delay his retirement until June 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=In reversal, Loh will remain University of Maryland president through June 2020 |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/2019/01/30/in-reversal-loh-will-remain-university-of-maryland-president-through-june-2020/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Capital Gazette |date=January 30, 2019}}</ref>
===Energy=== Rosapepe opposes electricity deregulation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Giannetti trails Rosapepe in 21st |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/09/13/giannetti-trails-rosapepe-in-21st/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 13, 2006}}</ref> During the 2008 legislative session, he introduced a bill that would require utility companies that build power plants in Maryland to first sell their electricity in-state, which passed and became law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Tim |title=How they voted: Amending Constellation deal |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/04/03/how-they-voted-amending-constellation-deal/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BGE's customers to get $170 rebate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/04/08/bges-customers-to-get-170-rebate-2/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 8, 2008}}</ref> In July 2012, after a derecho left more than a million residents without power for several days, Rosapepe called for fines of $100 million against Pepco and Baltimore Gas and Electric as well as requiring utility companies to place power lines underground to prevent future outages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flaherty |first1=Mary Pat |last2=Zapana |first2=Victor |title=Two Maryland senators urge massive fines against Pepco, BGE |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/two-maryland-senators-urge-massive-fines-against-pepco-bge/2012/07/12/gJQAp94XgW_blog.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fritze |first1=John |last2=Dresser |first2=Michael |title=Maryland congressman joins critics of BGE, Pepco response to outages |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/07/19/maryland-congressman-joins-critics-of-bge-pepco-response-to-outages-2/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> Rosapepe expressed disappointment with the Maryland Public Service Commission's decision not to place stiff fines against the utility companies in its assessment following the derecho.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glenn |first1=Gwendolyn |title=Rosapepe finds Public Service Commission assessment of derecho response 'disappointing' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ll-psc-0307-20130304-story.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707131644/https://www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ll-psc-0307-20130304-story.html |archive-date=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
===Gun policy=== During the 1987 legislative session, Rosapepe voted to overturn a Maryland Court of Appeals ruling that allowed victims of crimes committed with Saturday night special handguns to sue the weapon's manufacturers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Robert |title=Advocates of gun control score bull's-eye in Maryland Assembly |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1987/04/02/advocates-of-gun-control-score-bulls-eye-in-maryland-assembly/31ac1323-cd63-4987-a19c-ca867f8ffe2b/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 2, 1987}}</ref> During the 2013 legislative session, he voted for the Firearm Safety Act, which banned assault weapons and placed restrictions on firearm purchases.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-of-delegates-voted-on-gun-control-legislation/2013/04/03/31c92cae-9c90-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html |access-date=December 22, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> In 2016, Rosapepe introduced legislation to ban terrorists from acquiring firearms and supported bills banning firearms on campuses and requiring domestic abusers to surrender their guns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Guns would be banned from Maryland college campuses under legislative leaders' bill |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2016/02/10/guns-would-be-banned-from-maryland-college-campuses-under-legislative-leaders-bill/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 10, 2016}}</ref>
===Healthcare=== During the 2019 legislative session, Rosapepe supported legislation to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs and other bills to make it easier for uninsured people to apply for health coverage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Meredith |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Maryland legislature passes laws to make health insurance enrollment easier and create drug price board |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2019/04/11/maryland-legislature-passes-laws-to-make-health-insurance-enrollment-easier-and-create-drug-price-board/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosapepe urged Governor Larry Hogan to form a regional pact with bordering states.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=While Northeast states form pact, Maryland coordinating coronavirus response with Virginia and Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2020/04/14/while-northeast-states-form-pact-maryland-coordinating-coronavirus-response-with-virginia-and-washington-dc/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> He criticized the Maryland Department of Health's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, accusing the agency of creating "artificial shortages" and not providing adequate constituent services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Hogan Tours Vaccine Sites, As Lawmakers Continue to Question Roll Out |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/08/hogan-tours-vaccine-sites-as-lawmakers-continue-to-question-roll-out/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Program to Target Under-Served Neighborhoods Unveiled as Senators Blast State's Vaccine Strategy |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/01/program-to-target-under-served-neighborhoods-unveiled-as-senators-blast-states-vaccine-strategy/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=On Vaccination Crunch, Senator Says: 'If We Don't Get Our S*** Together Now, We're Not Going to Get Our S*** Together Later' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/03/15/on-vaccination-crunch-senator-says-if-we-dont-get-our-s-together-now-were-not-going-to-get-our-s-together-later/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 16, 2021}}</ref> Rosapepe also supported a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in schools.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Health Secretary Pushes Back as Senators Call for Mandatory Vaccines in Schools |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/09/28/health-secretary-pushes-back-as-senators-call-for-mandatory-vaccines-in-schools/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 28, 2021}}</ref>
===Minimum wage=== During the 2019 legislative session, Rosapepe voted for legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland lawmakers give final OK to increase minimum wage to $15 an hour |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2019/03/20/maryland-lawmakers-give-final-ok-to-increase-minimum-wage-to-15-an-hour/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 20, 2019}}</ref>
===Social issues=== [[File:OMalleys March 113 Sen Rosapepe (8132363584).jpg|thumb|Rosapepe holding a sign supporting Question 6, 2012]] During his tenure as the president of the Arlington Youth Council, Rosapepe opposed anti-loitering laws that were aimed at teenagers and campaigned for more county funding for educational research.<ref name="Nixon" />
In March 1995, Rosapepe voted to keep restrictions on how state tax dollars could be used to pay for abortions through Medicaid.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frece |first1=John W. |title=Governor loses on abortion |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1995/03/16/governor-loses-on-abortion/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 16, 1995}}</ref>
During the 2009 legislative session, Rosapepe voted for legislation to abolish the death penalty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Andy |title=Death penalty voting lists |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2009/03/03/death-penalty-voting-lists/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 3, 2009}}</ref>
In February 2011, after the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland, was amended to include more protections for religious groups, Rosapepe said that he would support the bill. He was seen as a key vote on the bill, and his support gave it the support it needed to pass the Maryland Senate.<ref name="RFCM">{{cite news |title=Gay marriage has the votes to pass state Senate |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/02/17/gay-marriage-has-the-votes-to-pass-state-senate-3/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Andy |title=What's next for gay marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/02/17/whats-next-for-gay-marriage/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 17, 2011}}</ref> In 2012, Rosapepe voted for the Civil Marriage Protection Act.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Md. senators voted on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/02/23/how-md-senators-voted-on-same-sex-marriage-3/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 23, 2012}}</ref>
During the 2015 legislative session, Rosapepe supported a bill to restore voting rights for felons on parole. In 2016, he voted to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto of the bill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Ovetta |title=Maryland Senate overrides Hogan's veto of felon voting-rights bill |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senate-overrides-hogans-veto-of-felon-voting-rights-bill/2016/02/09/ed43c8fe-cf37-11e5-b2bc-988409ee911b_story.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 9, 2016}}</ref>
In 2020, Rosapepe introduced legislation to make daylight saving time permanent.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Bill could make Daylight Saving Time permanent in Maryland |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2020/03/05/bill-could-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent-in-maryland/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 5, 2020}}</ref>
===Taxes=== During the 1988 legislative session, Rosapepe introduced legislation that would require pizza shops to charge the sales tax on deliveries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pizza shops claim foul play |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-pizza-shops-claim-foul/154285862/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=February 2, 1988 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1992, he voted for a bill to raise $1.2 billion in income and sales taxes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blomquist |first1=Brian |last2=Hirsch |first2=Stuart |title=House OKs biggest tax hike ever |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-house-oks-biggest-tax/154285889/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Star Democrat |date=February 2, 1988 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1997, Rosapepe voted for a bill to provide tax credits to businesses who hire disabled people.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blomquist |first1=Stuart |title=Tax credit sought for hiring the disabled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-tax-credit-sought-for/154285907/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 30, 1997 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He also opposed a proposal by Governor Parris Glendening to cut personal income taxes by 10 percent, preferring tax cuts aimed at middle- and lower-income families.<ref name="Glendening" />
During debate on a bill that would provide $5.6 billion in tax incentives to Amazon to build their second headquarters in Montgomery County in 2018, Rosapepe introduced an amendment that would terminate the tax incentivizes if unclaimed by 2022. The amendment was adopted by the Maryland Senate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |title=Maryland senators advance incentives luring Amazon to Montgomery County, but add expiration date |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/03/16/maryland-senators-advance-incentives-luring-amazon-to-montgomery-county-but-add-expiration-date/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 16, 2018}}</ref>
===Transportation=== Rosapepe supports the Red Line and Purple Line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Andrew A. |title=Seeing green, red in the Purple Line |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/01/31/seeing-green-red-in-the-purple-line/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 31, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |title=Transit advocates renew call for Red Line as part of statewide rail network |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2016/10/12/transit-advocates-renew-call-for-red-line-as-part-of-statewide-rail-network/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 12, 2016}}</ref> In June 2015, he attended a rally at the Laurel MARC station to protest against its possible closure by the Maryland Department of Transportation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Michaels |first1=Andrew |title=Protesters, elected officials rally in support of keeping Laurel's train stop |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2015/06/24/protesters-elected-officials-rally-in-support-of-keeping-laurels-train-stop/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 24, 2015}}</ref>
During the 1991 legislative session, Rosapepe introduced a resolution urging Congress to fund the design and development of a maglev train route connecting Washington, D.C. to Baltimore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |title=House panel urged to support high-speed rail for Md. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/03/20/house-panel-urged-to-support-high-speed-rail-for-md/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 20, 1991}}</ref> In December 2017, he said that he opposed the proposed D.C.-Baltimore maglev train route.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |title=Anne Arundel, Prince George's lawmakers ask state to drop proposed Amtrak route for maglev |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2017/12/19/anne-arundel-prince-georges-lawmakers-ask-state-to-drop-proposed-amtrak-route-for-maglev/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 19, 2017}}</ref>
In 1997, Rosapepe supported a bill to ban high-occupancy vehicle lanes on state highways, saying that the lanes made driving more difficult and less safe.<ref>{{cite news |title=HOV lanes could be H-I-S-T-O-R-Y Commute: The roadways set aside for High Occupancy Vehicles — those with more than one occupant — are drawing criticism from cost-conscious lawmakers. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/02/17/hov-lanes-could-be-h-i-s-t-o-r-y-commute-the-roadways-set-aside-for-high-occupancy-vehicles-those-with-more-than-one-occupant-are-drawing-criticism-from-cost-conscious-lawmakers/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 17, 1997}}</ref>
==Personal life== [[File:Maryland Legislature Holiday Reception (54214610838).jpg|thumb|Rosapepe and his wife Sheilah with Governor Wes Moore, 2024]] Rosapepe is married to Sheilah A. Kast, a former White House and economics correspondent for ABC News.<ref name="stategov">{{cite web |title=Biography: James Carew Rosapepe |url=https://1997-2001.state.gov/about_state/biography/rosapepe.html |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=December 26, 2023}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> He is Catholic.<ref name="RFCM" /> In November 2009, Rosapepe and his wife published ''Dracula is Dead'', a travel literature book that explores the political and social history of Romania during the 20th century.<ref>{{cite news |title=Finding the heart of Romania |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2009/11/10/finding-the-heart-of-romania/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 10, 2009}}</ref>
In late December 2007, Rosapepe was struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident during a business trip in Brussels. He returned to Maryland in early January 2008 with two bone fractures in his right leg.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGowan |first1=Phillip |title=Accident in Belgium injures Rosapepe |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2008/01/03/accident-in-belgium-injures-rosapepe/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 3, 2008}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 21 Democratic primary election, 1986<ref>{{cite web | title = 1986 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1986/results_1986/pahod.html | date = August 17, 2001}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Pauline Menes (incumbent) |votes = 5,799 |percentage = 25.7 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Timothy F. Maloney (incumbent) |votes = 5,550 |percentage = 24.6 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = James Rosapepe |votes = 5,153 |percentage = 22.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = John D'Eustachio |votes = 3,394 |percentage = 15.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Claire R. Bigelow |votes = 2,701 |percentage = 12.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 21 election, 1990<ref>{{cite web | title = 1990 Gubernatorial Election | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1990/results_1990/gahod.html | date = June 14, 2001}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Timothy F. Maloney (incumbent) |votes = 11,365 |percentage = 25.6 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Pauline Menes (incumbent) |votes = 11,081 |percentage = 24.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = James Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 10,748 |percentage = 24.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Debra DiCamillo |votes = 3,872 |percentage = 8.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Charles D. Randall |votes = 3,799 |percentage = 8.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Margaret Jahn |votes = 3,557 |percentage = 8.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 21 election, 1994<ref>{{cite web | title = 1994 Gubernatorial General Election Results | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1994/results_1994/gahod.html | date = February 6, 2001}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Pauline Menes (incumbent) |votes = 13,207 |percentage = 29.0 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = James Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 12,725 |percentage = 27.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Barbara A. Frush |votes = 12,109 |percentage = 26.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Herbert F. Frymark |votes = 7,554 |percentage = 16.6 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 Democratic primary election, 2006<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 21 | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/primary/legislative_district_21.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe |votes = 5,837 |percentage = 58.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = John A. Giannetti Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 3,881 |percentage = 38.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jessie Pulivarti |votes = 266 |percentage = 2.7 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 election, 2006<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 21 | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_21.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe |votes = 18,067 |percentage = 67.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John A. Giannetti Jr. (incumbent) |votes = 8,663 |percentage = 32.4 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 30 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 election, 2010<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_21.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 23,331 |percentage = 98.7 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 302 |percentage = 1.3 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01521.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 22,241 |percentage = 97.6 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 554 |percentage = 2.4 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 election, 2018<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01521.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 32,262 |percentage = 77.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Lee Havis |votes = 9,311 |percentage = 22.4 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 59 |percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 21 election, 2022<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_21.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Rosapepe (incumbent) |votes = 23,666 |percentage = 79.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Lee Havis |votes = 6,242 |percentage = 20.8 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 46 |percentage = 0.2 }} {{Election box end}}
==Bibliography== * ''Dracula is dead: how Romanians survived communism, ended it, and emerged since 1989 as the new Italy'', Bancroft Press, 2009. {{ISBN|1890862657}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * {{cite web |title=Senator Jim Rosapepe |url=https://senatorjimrosapepe.com/ |website=senatorjimrosapepe.com |access-date=December 26, 2023}} * {{cite web |title=Members – Senator Jim Rosapepe |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/rosapepe |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=December 26, 2023}}
{{Current Maryland State Senators}} {{US Ambassadors to Romania}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rosapepe, James}} Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Romania Category:Democratic Party Maryland state senators Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:Italian emigrants to the United States Category:Politicians from Rome Category:University System of Maryland people Category:Virginia Democrats Category:Catholic politicians from Maryland Category:American people of Russian descent Category:20th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:20th-century American diplomats Category:21st-century American diplomats