Boyd Rutherford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boyd Rutherford
Rutherford in 2020
9th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
In office January 21, 2015 – January 18, 2023
Governor	Larry Hogan
Preceded by	Anthony Brown
Succeeded by	Aruna Miller
United States Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Administration
In office May 12, 2006 – January 20, 2009
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Michael Harrison
Succeeded by	Pearlie Reed
Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services
In office January 16, 2003 – June 4, 2006 Acting: January 16, 2003 – March 13, 2003
Governor	Bob Ehrlich
Preceded by	Peta N. Richkus
Succeeded by	R. Stevens Cassard Jr.
Personal details
Born	Boyd Kevin Rutherford (1957-04-01) April 1, 1957 (age 68) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Democratic (until the 1990s)
Spouse	Monica Rutherford ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	3
Residences	Columbia, Maryland, U.S.
Education	Howard University (BA) University of Southern California (MA, JD)

Boyd Kevin Rutherford (born April 1, 1957) is an American politician, businessman, and lawyer. He served as the 9th lieutenant governor of Maryland from 2015 to 2023.

As a member of the Republican Party, Rutherford held several important government roles. He worked for President George W. Bush in the U.S. General Services Administration. He also served as the Secretary of General Services for Maryland and as Assistant Secretary for Administration for the United States Department of Agriculture.

Early Life and Education

Boyd Rutherford was born in Washington, D.C.. He went to Archbishop Carroll High School. In 1979, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Howard University.

Later, in 1990, Rutherford earned two more degrees from the University of Southern California. He received a law degree (called a Juris Doctor) and a master's degree in communications management. He is a licensed lawyer in California, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Career Highlights

Early Work Experience

After college, Rutherford worked as an analyst for Bankers Trust Company. He also held marketing and account executive roles at other companies. Before entering public service, he was a director of business development at Kelly Law Registry.

Rutherford practiced law in Southern California, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. He worked as a litigation associate for various law firms. He also managed his own company, Eastwide Strategies LLC.

He started as a registered Democrat but later became a Republican in his late thirties. He felt the Democratic Party did not represent his views anymore. He was active in the Howard County Republican Central Committee. He also served as a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention. In 2009, he became the chief administrative officer for the Republican National Committee.

Working for President Bush

In September 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Rutherford to a role in the U.S. General Services Administration. He helped small businesses and improved government performance. In 2006, President Bush nominated him to be Assistant Secretary for Administration for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Working for Governor Ehrlich

On January 7, 2003, Governor-elect Bob Ehrlich chose Rutherford to be the secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services. He was picked for his business-focused approach. This was meant to help make government more efficient.

During his time, there were discussions about a state contract for a police crime lab. Rutherford worked to ensure fair bidding processes. There were also questions about a land preservation deal in St. Mary's County. Rutherford explained the state's actions and apologized for not sharing all details initially.

Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

Elections and Campaigns

On January 30, 2014, Larry Hogan chose Rutherford as his running mate for the 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election. They had worked together in Governor Ehrlich's administration. Rutherford saw his role as a "chief operating officer" for the state.

The Hogan-Rutherford team won the Republican primary. They then defeated the sitting Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown in a surprising victory. They won with 51 percent of the vote. Rutherford helped lead the team that prepared for the new administration.

Hogan and Rutherford ran for a second term in 2018. They won again, defeating their opponents with 55.4 percent of the vote.

Rutherford with Governor-elect Wes Moore, November 2022

Rutherford decided not to run for governor in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election. He supported Kelly M. Schulz in the Republican primary. After she lost, he did not endorse the primary winner. He helped Governor Hogan with the transition to the new administration.

Time in Office

Rutherford being sworn in as lieutenant governor, 2015

Rutherford became Lieutenant Governor on January 21, 2015. He was the third African American to hold this position in Maryland. When Governor Hogan was sick, Rutherford often acted as governor. He chaired important meetings for the state.

He worked with city officials on the state's response to community events. He also promoted efforts to help people buy homes. He worked to prevent lead poisoning in Baltimore. He supported laws to improve how the state buys things and to make penalties for violent crime stronger.

In June 2015, Rutherford went to the Paris Air Show. He promoted Maryland's aerospace and defense industries there. In January 2020, he traveled to Dubai and Tel Aviv. These trips were to encourage economic development in Maryland.

In December 2016, Rutherford spoke about an increase in hate speech. He said he believed people should show their true feelings. He later clarified that he wanted open discussions about racism. He noted he grew up during the Civil Rights movement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rutherford managed parts of the government not related to the virus. This allowed Governor Hogan to focus on the pandemic. He supported the state's vaccine rollout. He also defended the use of emergency powers during the pandemic.

After Being Lieutenant Governor

In January 2023, Rutherford joined a law firm in Columbia, Maryland. He now works in government relations and lobbying. In March 2023, he released a book called Rutherford's Travels. The book is about his visits to all 76 Maryland state parks. In April 2023, he became a senior fellow at the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute at Towson University.

Personal Life

Rutherford and his wife, Monica, live in Columbia, Maryland. They have three adult children: one son and two daughters.

Rutherford, his wife, and Governor Hogan at the Rutherford Area, 2022

In December 2022, a part of Rosaryville State Park was named the "Rutherford Area." This was done to honor Boyd Rutherford.

Political Views

As Lieutenant Governor, Rutherford was known for understanding policy deeply.

In 2012, Rutherford disagreed with Vice President Joe Biden's comments about Republicans. In 2013, he criticized NAACP chairman Julian Bond's views on Republicans. He also spoke out against the Internal Revenue Service investigating conservative groups.

During his 2014 campaign, Rutherford criticized Maryland's health exchange and economic policies. He supported police body cameras. He also supported businesses owned by minorities. He opposed the Purple Line transit project. He thought the money would be better spent on highways. After the Red Line was canceled, he suggested a rapid bus line instead.

In July 2015, Rutherford spoke at a rally against gerrymandering. He criticized how Maryland's voting districts were drawn. He supported bills that would create an independent group to draw fair districts.

Rutherford did not support Donald Trump in the 2016 United States presidential election. In 2019, he criticized Trump's comments about Baltimore. In January 2021, after the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Rutherford called Trump's actions "impeachable." He believed Trump should resign. He said Trump's supporters did not represent the main Republican Party in Maryland.

In October 2019, Rutherford voted to remove the Confederate battle flag from a plaque at the Maryland State House. He called the flag a "divisive symbol." In June 2020, he voted to remove the plaque entirely.

In June 2020, Rutherford described the murder of George Floyd as a "turning point." He said it showed the need to examine racism in institutions. He supported those participating in the George Floyd protests.

In December 2020, Rutherford approved a license for the proposed Eastern Shore Pipeline.

Electoral History

See also

• List of African-American Republicans
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States