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 | |
---|---|
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 |
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]
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]
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]
Miedusiewski is married to his wife, Patricia, who worked as a nurse.[2] Together, they live in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore.[7]
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 |