Senator Nancy Jacobs, Republican, represents the 34th
Legislative District located in Cecil County and Southern
Harford County. Senator Jacobs was elected to the House of
Delegates in 1994. She served on the House Judiciary Committee
and as a member of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. In 1995
she was named Freshman Minority Whip, and in 1997 she was
appointed Deputy Minority Whip.
Senator Jacobs was elected to
the Maryland State Senate in 1998, and serves on the Senate
Judicial Proceedings Committee. Before being elected as Senate
Minority Leader in 2011 she was elected Minority Whip in 2008.
Senator Jacobs has been a leader in passing legislation
dealing with Jessica’s law, gangs, drunk driving and Cord blood
initiatives. Senator Jacobs was born in Charleston, West
Virginia, on October 27, 1951. She graduated from Bridgeport
High School in 1969 and from West Virginia University in 1973
with a Bachelor of Science in journalism and speech, with a
minor in secondary education.
After graduation from college, Senator Jacobs worked for WSLS-TV
in Roanoke, Virginia, where she served as Continuity Director.
In 1974, the Jacobs moved to Harford County, where she taught
tennis and owned and operated West Shore Indoor Tennis Club in
Edgewood from 1976-84. Additionally, she was the tennis
professional for Swan Creek Country Club, she coached the John
Carroll High School girl's tennis team, and for several years
she taught the Gold Cup Tennis Program for Harford County.
In the early 1980's, Senator Jacobs became involved in
Concerned Women for America (CWA). From 1985-90 she served as
the state Communications Coordinator for CWA of Maryland. During
that time she also taught English in several Harford County
schools as a long-term substitute. Senator Jacobs was also a
licensed realtor. She became the Maryland Representative for CWA
in 1990 and served in that capacity until 1994. She was the
spokesperson for the Coalition for Parental Rights and Family
Integrity. She wrote a political column in a local newspaper and
hosted talk radio shows in the Baltimore and Harford County
regions.
Senator Jacobs is in her 17th year in the legislature
representing Harford and Cecil Counties. Senator Jacobs is known
for her outspoken advocacy for tougher sexual predators laws. In
fact she was the lead sponsor of Jessica's Law, which required
mandatory minimum sentences for child sex offenders. To learn
more about Senator Jacobs, please visit
www.nancyjacobs.com.
Sen. Jacobs said: "I am honored to be elected by my
colleagues as Minority Leader. Sen. Alan Kittleman did a
wonderful job as Minority Leader and it has been a tremendous
privilege to serve with him in leadership. Marylanders are upset
with the economic mismanagement of the state; tax hikes, energy
prices, and reckless spending. Minority Whip, Sen EJ Pipkin and
I will continue to advocate for prudent fiscal policy and the
issues that matter to all Marylanders."
The Jacobs reside in
the Edgewood/Abingdon area of Harford County. Nancy and her
husband Bruce have three
grown daughters. Beth and her husband Chad live in Abingdon
with their three children, Gabe, Camryn and Jake. Becky and her
husband Ray reside in Delaware with their two daughters, Abby
and Emilyn. They are expecting their first son in August of
2011. And Laura and her husband Jeremy live in Abingdon with
their three year old daughter, Annabelle Grace. Senator Jacobs
home schooled her daughter Laura for a number of years before
entering politics.
Senator Jacobs’ mother and father lived
with Jacobs for many years before passing away. Bruce’s father
also lived with them as well until his death.
