Crumpton native and longtime Chestertown resident Arthur Hock is running for delegate in the 36th legislative district in the September 2010 Democratic Primary. The 36th district includes the Upper Eastern Shore, all of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties, and parts of Caroline and Cecil counties. This is Hock’s second run for elected office after an unsuccessful run for Kent County Board of Education a number of years ago. Hock worked on two successful election campaigns: the 2006 campaign of Governor Martin O’Malley; and, the 2008 campaign of U.S. Representative Frank Kratovil, D-Md.-1st.

Born in Crumpton, Hock is a 1966 graduate of Sudlersville High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973, most of the time on a destroyer in the North Atlantic. He moved to Chestertown after getting out of the Navy. Hock, 60, said outside of his military service, he has lived all his life within four city blocks of the Chester River. Hock likes hunting and fishing, and he said the health of the river and the Bay watershed is very important to him. Hock also is a businessman and has worked in retail, wholesale and manufacturing businesses. He said most of his current business is property management, managing houses and offices he owns.

Hock has not yet filed as a candidate with the Maryland State Board of Elections, but has until early July 2010 to file. He kicked off his campaign with a fish fry at Wilmer Park in Chestertown on July 12, attended by about 200 people. Speakers stumping for Hock included Representative Frank Kratovil and Mike Forney, Hock’s lifelong friend and campaign treasurer. Kratovil cited Hock’s work ethic, leadership skills and knowledge of the district.

Hock is a member of the Maryland Foster Care Review Board, Maryland Judicial Nominations Commission and Chestertown Historical District Commission. He is president of the Kent County Bay Bridge Watch Commission. Hock previously served as a member of the Chestertown Planning and Zoning Board. He also served as president of the Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital (now Chester River Hospital Center) Foundation, as chairman of the Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital Board of Directors, and as chairman of the Kent County Sanitary District Commission.