James Rosapepe

James Carew Rosapepe (born May 20, 1951) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently serving in his third four-year term in the Maryland State Senate, representing Maryland's District 21 in Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. From 1998 to 2001, he served as the United States Ambassador to Romania.

James Carew Rosapepe
Member of the Maryland Senate from the 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office 2007
Preceded by	John Giannetti
United States Ambassador to Romania
In office February 4, 1998 – March 1, 2001
President	Bill Clinton George W. Bush
Preceded by	Alfred H. Moses
Succeeded by	Michael E. Guest
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 21st district
In office 1987–1997
Personal details
Born	May 20, 1951 Rome, Italy
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sheilah A. Kast
Occupation	Businessman

Background

Rosapepe was born in Rome, Italy. He was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1986, serving 2 full and one partial terms before being appointed as Ambassador to Romania in early 1998 during the Clinton administration.[1] An internal State Department report was strongly critical of Rosapepe's leadership and management during this ambassadorial service, while crediting him with several accomplishments.[2] Upon his recall from Romania, Rosapepe was appointed to serve on the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland. He left that board to run against incumbent Senator John Giannetti in District 21.

In the legislature

Rosapepe defeated the incumbent senator, John Giannetti, in the 2006 election for Maryland State Senator in District 21. Giannetti had been accused of being too conservative by many Democrats, specifically for his position against an assault weapons ban in Maryland.[1] After his defeat in the primary election, Giannetti switched parties to run against Rosapepe as a Republican, and was again defeated.

Rosapepe currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and is a member of the Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Workgroup. He was unopposed in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 elections.

References

• "Maryland Manual Online". Maryland State Archives. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
• Jim Rosapepe is also co-author of "Dracula is Dead: How Romanians Survived Communism, Ended it, and Emerged as the New Italy Since 1989". Retrieved 2009-08-25.

Notes

1. "Maryland Primary only 2 weeks away (PART II)". Daily Kos. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
2. Hancock, Jay (December 22, 1999). "A scorching report card for our Romanian envoy". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2015.