Lower Shore Del. Charles Otto, ‘unceasingly generous and hilariousy funny,’ dies at 61

by Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters
October 17, 2025

Colleagues from both sides of the aisle remembered Del. Charles Otto (R-Lower Shore) Friday for his kindness and humor, his knowledge on agricultural issues and his passionate advocacy for the Eastern Shore during his 14 years in the House of Delegates. It was announced Friday that Otto had died at age 61. No cause of death has been given.

Otto, who represented parts of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties since he was first sworn in to the House of Delegates in 2011, had just filed for reelection to a fifth term on Tuesday, said Del. Jay Jacobs (R-Upper Shore).

“It’s a real shocker,” Jacobs said Friday. “He was a good friend of mine, I was lucky to be friends with him all these years – and I’ll miss him and I know that members of the legislature will miss him.”

Jacobs said he and Otto were “almost inseparable” in the General Assembly, both starting in the House in 2011 and representing parts of the Eastern Shore. The two were put on the same committee, Environment and Transportation, shared office space and worked on various agricultural issues during the last 14 years, Jacobs said.

“Everyone liked him, he was a likeable guy,” Jacobs said. “He had always had a good sense of humor. Never saw him get angry about anything – unless it had something to do with his district.”

Jacobs admitted that he and Otto were some of the more reserved members on the House floor, but spoke up in matters that were important to them and the Eastern Shore.

“We were quiet … If we stood up, which we did occasionally, I can tell you people paid attention because we didn’t do it very often,” Jacobs said. “If we did, you knew it was serious.”

House Republicans said in a joint statement that they were “devastated by the loss” of Otto.

“He was, in many ways, the heart of our Caucus,” the statement said. “A rarity in politics, Delegate Otto was never someone who was in love with his own voice. But when he spoke, he did so with heartfelt wisdom, and members listened, no matter their political party. He was unceasingly generous and hilariously funny.”

Senate Republicans called him a “steadfast voice for Maryland’s farmers, rural communities and small businesses.”

“Charles brought common sense and integrity to every discussion in Annapolis,” Senate Republicans said in a statement. “He worked across party lines to ensure that rural Maryland’s needs were heard and respected, and his leadership and friendship will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to serve alongside him.”

Otto was born in Salisbury on Feb. 15, 1964. He attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a degree in animal Science in 1986.

He was a field representative for the Maryland Farm Bureau from 1987 through 1995 and continued other agricultural work throughout the years.

“As a farmer himself, he was firmly rooted in the agricultural community and faithfully served his lower shore constituents in the House of Delegates since 2011,” the Maryland Farm Bureau said in a statement Friday. “Delegate Otto was a steadfast champion for Maryland agriculture and will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues throughout the state.”

He was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, where he continued to push for agricultural issues on the Environment and Transportation committee, as well as various subcommittees.

“He served the Maryland House of Delegates with integrity and an unwavering dedication to the people of District 38A,” House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) said in a statement posted to social media. “I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, constituents, and staff. He will be sorely missed by all.”

Otto’s legislative seat will be filled by appointment: The three county Republican central committees in his district will meet to select a nominee, whose name will be forwarded to the governor, who makes the final decision.

In a statement, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said that Otto had “a fidelity to our state that could never waver, and a commitment to our people that could never fade.”

“This was a man who loved Maryland to his core,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in a statement, “fighting every day for his constituents and moving in good faith with partners in the General Assembly to deliver results.”

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