The Lower Shore is mourning the loss of Maryland Delegate Charles J. Otto, who passed away on October 17, 2025. Otto, a lifelong farmer and dedicated public servant, represented Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2011.
Locally, Otto’s passing has struck a deep chord among those who worked closely with him and called him a friend. Worcester County Commissioner Caryn Abbott shared an emotional reflection, saying, “Today I lost a friend who has always had my back and I his, Delegate Charles Otto. I have never met a politician who loved serving his constituents and protecting our way of life in Annapolis like Charles did.” Abbott praised Otto’s dedication to Eastern Shore agriculture and recalled their collaboration on legislation, including the passage of the Sunday hunting bill. “Always eager to listen and slow to speak, a rare quality in people these days and certainly politicians,” she said. “Delegate Charles Otto was one of a kind and I feel blessed to have had him in my life and as Delegate for our district the past 14 years. A true servant’s heart.”
Pocomoke City Mayor Todd Nock also expressed his condolences in a statement, honoring Otto’s service and describing him as a steady advocate for the people of the Shore. Nock wrote, “Charles’s leadership and quiet strength left a lasting mark on our region”.
State Senator Mary Beth Carozza described Otto as both a friend and a valued partner in faith and service. Quoting 1 Corinthians 3:8-9, she wrote, “‘The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are God’s fellow workers.’” Carozza said Otto’s work reflected that scripture: “As one of the very few farmers serving in the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Charles Otto used his real-life experiences and his committee position to fight for our Shore rural way of life. He had a quiet wisdom and was humble in his work with both colleagues and constituents… Charles kept it real for all of us.”
From Annapolis, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones said, “Since 2011, he served the Maryland House of Delegates with integrity and an unwavering dedication to the people of District 38A. He cared deeply about his community and always put his constituents first.”
House Republican colleagues released a joint statement, calling Otto “the heart of our Caucus.” “Delegate Otto was a dedicated public servant, committed to his constituents and to preserving our state’s agricultural heritage,” the statement read. “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.”
Governor Wes Moore also reflected on Otto’s bipartisan spirit and recent accomplishments. “This was a man who loved Maryland to his core, fighting every day for his constituents and moving in good faith with partners in the General Assembly to deliver results,” Moore said, noting that he had met with Otto just weeks earlier to celebrate the completion of a broadband project bringing high-speed internet to Smith Island. “Delegate Otto and I may not have belonged to the same political party, but we could agree on this: Marylanders are always worth fighting for.”
Charles J. Otto was born in Salisbury on February 15, 1964. According to his state biography, he graduated from Washington High School in Princess Anne, attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and earned his degree in animal science from Virginia Tech in 1986. Before entering public service, Otto worked as a sales representative and certified crop consultant, and remained active in numerous agricultural organizations, including the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
He was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 and took office in January 2011. Over his 14 years in Annapolis, Otto served on the Environmental Matters Committee and later the Environment and Transportation Committee, where he was a respected voice on issues of agriculture, land use, and natural resources. He served as Deputy Minority Whip since 2013 and chaired the Somerset County House Delegation throughout his tenure.
Otto was also a longtime member of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, where he served as treasurer, according to his biography, and was a charter member of the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department.
His colleagues often described him as a man of deep faith, humility, and commitment to the land and people he served. Senator Carozza said, “It was always a brighter day with Charles… I already miss my friend, Charles Otto, and join with so many friends and colleagues in sending heartfelt condolences to his family and in recognizing his dedicated public service.”
Delegate Charles J. Otto’s passing leaves a void in the fabric of the Lower Shore and the Maryland General Assembly. He will be remembered not only for his legislative work, but for the kindness, wisdom, and steady hand that guided his service to the community he loved.
