Bruce Poole

D. Bruce Poole
Poole at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party
In office 2015 – March 2, 2017
Preceded by	Yvette Lewis
Succeeded by	Kathleen Matthews
Delegate District 2B
In office January 1987 – January 1999
Succeeded by	Christopher B. Shank
Personal details
Born	(1959-06-17) June 17, 1959 (age 62) Hagerstown, Maryland
Political party	Democratic

D. Bruce Poole (born June 17, 1959) is the former Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party. He was formerly a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 2B, which covers Washington County, Maryland.

Poole was first elected to office in 1986 when he defeated Republican Ronald J. Stansbury for the seat in District 3A. In 1990, he captured 95% of the vote to maintain his seat.^[1] In 1994, Poole narrowly won reelection by defeating Republican Richard D. Wiles by 66 votes. He was defeated in 1998 by Republican Christopher Shank.

Early life and education[]

Poole was born and raised in Washington County. He attended North Hagerstown High School. In 1981, he received his B.A. from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He briefly attended the University of Melbourne before getting his J.D. from Washington and Lee in 1985.

Career[]

Poole was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1985 and served as a trial lawyer for several years. He was the Secretary of the Washington County Bar Association in 1986 and served as the first president of the United Democratic Club of Washington County.

In 1981, Poole was the recipient of the Rotary International Graduate Fellowship. He was the co-author of the Best Brief in Nation, Jessup International Moot Court Competition in 1984.

Poole is a partner in the Hagerstown, Maryland personal injury, family law and business law firm The Poole Law Group.

Following the 2014 elections in Maryland where the Democrats lost the governor's mansion, Poole was elected Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, succeeding Yvette Lewis.^[2]

On March 1, 2017, after serving two years as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, Poole was succeeded by former news anchor and congressional candidate Kathleen Matthews.

Election results[]

• 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2B^[3]

Voters to choose one:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
Christopher B. Shank, Rep.	4,873	51%	Won
D. Bruce Poole	4,626	49%	Lost

• 1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 2B^[4]

Voters to choose one:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
D. Bruce Poole, Dem.	4,219	50%	Won
Richard D. Wiles	4,143	50%	Lost

References[]

External links[]

• http://archive1.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/former/html/msa12294.html^{[permanent dead link]}