William Wivell

William Wivell is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 2A. A member of the Republican Party, he has held this office since being appointed in 2015. Before his tenure in the state legislature, Wivell served on the Washington County Board of Commissioners for multiple terms, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to public service in Maryland.

Early life and career

William Wivell was born on June 9, 1964, in Hagerstown, Maryland. He completed his secondary education at Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg, Maryland. Following high school, Wivell pursued higher education, earning an Associate of Arts degree from Hagerstown Community College in 1984. He continued his studies at Shepherd University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. Wivell further advanced his education by earning a Master of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary's University in 1991.

Professionally, Wivell has worked as a business administrator at the St. James School. His career in public service began in 1998 when he was elected to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. He served in this role until 2010, at which point he decided to take a hiatus from public office to focus on personal matters. However, he returned to the Board of County Commissioners in 2014, serving until his appointment to the Maryland House of Delegates in February 2015. This appointment came after the resignation of Delegate Andrew A. Serafini, who moved on to serve in the Maryland Senate.

Wivell's political involvement has included various roles within the community and the Republican Party. He is recognized as an endowment life member of the National Rifle Association, reflecting his advocacy for Second Amendment rights.

Legislative service

Wivell was officially sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on March 16, 2015. During his time in the legislature, he has been a member of several committees, beginning with the Appropriations Committee from 2015 to 2016. He then transitioned to the Environment and Transportation Committee, where he served until 2022. In 2023, Wivell became a member of the Economic Matters Committee, which focuses on issues related to economic development, business regulation, and labor.

In addition to his committee assignments, Wivell has been active in various political initiatives. In January 2020, he was appointed co-chairman of the Washington County Trump Leadership team, indicating his alignment with the former president's policies and initiatives. In August 2020, following the resignation of state Senator Andrew A. Serafini, Wivell expressed interest in filling the vacancy in the Maryland Senate. However, the Washington County Republican Central Committee and Governor Larry Hogan ultimately nominated another delegate for the position.

Wivell has been involved in several notable legislative actions. In October 2021, he was part of a group of legislators who sent letters to West Virginia officials regarding the potential annexation of Western Maryland to West Virginia. This proposal sparked significant local controversy, leading to criticism from various officials and constituents.

Policy focus and district

Throughout his legislative career, Wivell has focused on a range of policy issues that reflect his political beliefs and the interests of his constituents. His legislative initiatives have included development initiatives, education reform, gun policy, and social issues.

In the area of development, Wivell introduced a bill during the 2017 legislative session aimed at providing sales tax exemptions for development projects at Fort Ritchie. He opposed legislation to dissolve the PenMar Development Corporation, which was responsible for the redevelopment of Fort Ritchie, signaling his support for local economic development efforts.

Wivell has also been active in education policy. In 2020, he proposed a bill requiring state colleges to accept course credits from community colleges, aiming to facilitate smoother transitions for students. He has expressed concerns regarding the costs associated with the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive education reform initiative, and voted against the legislation during its consideration.

In terms of gun policy, Wivell is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and has opposed various gun control measures. For instance, he voted against bills aimed at banning bump stocks and rapid-fire trigger activators following high-profile mass shootings. He has advocated for mental health treatment improvements as an alternative to gun control legislation.

Wivell's stance on marijuana policy includes introducing legislation to ban medical marijuana in jails, which has been reintroduced in subsequent legislative sessions after initially dying in committee.

On policing issues, he has opposed measures that would restrict police inquiries regarding immigration status, arguing that such policies could jeopardize public safety. He has also introduced legislation regarding the hiring practices of state correctional officers, advocating for optional polygraph tests.

Socially, Wivell has taken a firm stance against state funding for abortions and has introduced various bills aimed at restricting access to abortion services. His proposals have included amendments to existing legislation to limit state funding and to define constitutional rights for the unborn.

Wivell's legislative actions reflect a broader commitment to his constituents in District 2A, where he has sought to address a range of issues pertinent to the community. His ongoing service in the Maryland House of Delegates continues to shape the political landscape of the region.