American Joe Miedusiewski
American Joe Miedusiewski (med-ah-SHEV-skee; born Joseph Francis Miedusiewski;[2] October 17, 1949) is an American politician who served as a member of the Maryland Senate from 1989 to 1991, and the Maryland House of Delegates from 1975 to 1989. A member of the Democratic Party, he unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Maryland in 1994, placing second behind Prince George's County Executive Parris Glendening in the Democratic primary.
American Joe Miedusiewski | |
|---|---|
Miedusiewski in 2018 | |
| Member of the Maryland Senate from the 46th district | |
| In office November 16, 1988 – January 11, 1995 | |
| Appointed by | William Donald Schaefer |
| Preceded by | Joseph S. Bovegna |
| Succeeded by | Perry Sfikas |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates | |
| In office January 8, 1975 – November 16, 1988 Serving with Cornell N. Dypski, Anthony M. DiPietro Jr. | |
| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Donald G. Hammen |
| Constituency | 47th district (1975–1983) 46th district (1983–1989) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Francis Miedusiewski October 17, 1949 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Patricia |
| Education | University of Baltimore (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Maryland Air National Guard |
| Years of service | 1969-1975[1] |
| Rank | Sergeant[1] |
| Unit | 175th Tactical Fighter Group |
Early life and education edit
Miedusiewski was born in Baltimore on October 17, 1949,[3] to father Francis Joseph Miedusiewski, who unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1970.[2][4] His grandfather, Josef Mioduszewski[4] (anglicized to Joseph Francis Miedusiewski), migrated to the United States from Poland in 1909, and operated several small businesses, including American Joe's Tavern, in Baltimore.[5] He graduated from parochial schools in Baltimore, including Calvert Hall College High School, and later received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Baltimore.[3]
Miedusiewski changed his name to American Joe before running for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1974, so that voters would associate him with his grandfather's tavern.[6]
Political career edit
Maryland General Assembly edit
In the Maryland General Assembly, Miedusiewski gained a reputation for keeping a low profile and having a pro-labor and pro-business voting record. His district spanned from the Dundalk peninsula to east Baltimore, down to the Chesapeake Bay, and was regarded as having a largely blue-collar constituency.[7] Miedusiewski rose to national prominence after then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton played pool at American Joe's Tavern while campaigning in Baltimore in 1992.[2][8]
Miedusiewski was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1974,[2] and was sworn in on January 8, 1975.[9] He served as a member of the Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee during his entire tenure.[3] Miedusiewski was sworn in to the Maryland Senate following the death of state Senator Joseph Bonvegna on November 16, 1988,[10][11] where he served on the Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee during his entire tenure.[3]
1994 Maryland gubernatorial campaign edit
On November 17, 1993, Miedusiewski announced that he would run for Governor of Maryland in 1994, seeking to succeed term-limited Governor William Donald Schaefer, whom had encouraged him to run.[5] He sought support from moderate-to-conservative Democrats and ran on a platform including economic issues, reducing government, and increased policing and sentencing.[7][12] In June 1994, Miedusiewski named state Senator Bernie Fowler as his running mate.[13]
Miedusiewski trailed in polling behind Prince George's County Executive Parris Glendening, placing third behind "Undecided" and Glendening in a Mason-Dixon poll ahead of the Democratic primary election.[2][14] He was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Glendening, placing second with 18 percent of the vote. Miedusiewski later endorsed Glendening in the general election.[15]
Following his defeat, Miedusiewski worked as a lobbyist for Semmes, Bowen & Semmes[16] and Old Line Government Affairs.[17]
Personal life edit
Miedusiewski is married to his wife, Patricia, who worked as a nurse.[2] Together, they live in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore.[7]
Electoral history edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Raymond A. Dypski | 9,733 | 34.3 | |
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 9,633 | 34.0 | |
| Democratic | Elmer Elmo Waters | 8,989 | 31.7 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 11,503 | 32.8 | |
| Democratic | Raymond A. Dypski | 11,369 | 32.4 | |
| Democratic | James R. Dietrich | 10,805 | 30.8 | |
| Republican | Charles H. Howe | 1,427 | 4.1 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Anthony M. DiPietro Jr. | 17,948 | 33.5 | |
| Democratic | Raymond A. Dypski | 17,789 | 33.2 | |
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 17,777 | 33.2 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 15,521 | 33.7 | |
| Democratic | Anthony M. DiPietro Jr. | 15,467 | 33.5 | |
| Democratic | Cornell N. Dypski | 15,119 | 32.8 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 10,037 | 100.0 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Parris Glendening | 293,314 | 53.6 | |
| Democratic | American Joe Miedusiewski | 100,296 | 18.3 | |
| Democratic | Melvin Steinberg | 82,308 | 15.0 | |
| Democratic | Mary H. Boergers | 46,888 | 8.6 | |
| Democratic | Don Allensworth | 15,680 | 2.9 | |
| Democratic | Walter Gilcrist Finch | 5,369 | 1.0 | |
| Democratic | Lawrence K. Freeman | 3,518 | 0.6 | |
References edit
- ^ a b "American Joe Miedusiewski", Poles in America Foundation website (poles.org), Cooper City, Florida. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyer, Eugene L. (July 29, 1994). "American Joe's test: Can he spread that name all over Md.?". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Maryland State Senator American Joe Miedusiewski". msa.maryland.gov. March 16, 2000. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Schwartzman, Laura (April 23, 2008). "American Joe Miedusiewski Is Still a Familiar Name". Capital News Service. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Tapscott, Richard (November 17, 1993). "An unforgettable name goes on Md. ballot". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Earl (October 14, 2012). "Santa for president? Your write-in vote will count". The Capital. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Meyer, Eugene L. (September 11, 1994). "The world according to American Joe". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Bondurant, Jill (March 30, 2022). "Bill Clinton Visits American Joe's Bar". Old Line Government Affairs. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0716". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "Maryland Inside". The Baltimore Sun. November 16, 1988. Retrieved December 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Morring, Frank Jr. (December 4, 1988). "At American Joe's Bar he Twists Are Political". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Montgomery, David (July 28, 1994). "Miedusiewski likens Glendening to Mayberry's Barney life". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Zorzi, William F. Jr. (June 30, 1994). "Miedusiewski names Fowler as running mate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Montgomery, David; Tapscott, Richard (July 20, 1994). "In Md. poll, Steinberg's loss is Sen. Miedusiewski's gain". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Shen, Fern; Tapscott, Richard (October 12, 1994). "Miedusiewski endorses former rival Glendening". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Torry, Saundra (November 28, 1994). "Understanding celebrity trials -- for fun and profit". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Wilen, Holden (January 8, 2018). "Former Baltimore politician American Joe Miedusiewski joins Nemphos Braue". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0177" (PDF). Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0179" (PDF). Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Archives of Maryland, Volume 0181" (PDF). Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "1986 Gubernatorial Election - House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. August 17, 2001. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "1990 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. June 14, 2001. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "1994 Gubernatorial Election". elections.maryland.gov. August 29, 2001. Retrieved December 13, 2023.