Boyd Rutherford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boyd Rutherford
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Rutherford in 2020
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| 9th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland | |
| In office January 21, 2015 – January 18, 2023 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Governor | Bob Ehrlich |
| Preceded by | Peta N. Richkus |
| Succeeded by | R. Stevens Cassard Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Boyd Kevin Rutherford
April 1, 1957 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 and businessman. He served as the ninth lieutenant governor of Maryland from 2015 to 2023.
Rutherford is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming lieutenant governor, he held important roles in government. He worked for President George W. Bush in the U.S. General Services Administration. He also served as the Secretary of General Services for the state of Maryland. Later, he was an Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture.
Contents
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 Journey
Starting His Career
After college, Rutherford worked as an analyst for Bankers Trust Company. He then worked in marketing for Control Data Corporation and as an executive at Telenet. Later, he became a director of business development at Kelly Law Registry.
Rutherford is a licensed lawyer in California, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.. After law school, he worked as a lawyer for different companies. He also managed Eastwide Strategies LLC and worked as a counsel for Benton Potter & Murdock.
Becoming a Republican
As a young adult, Rutherford considered himself an independent. He was a registered Democrat in Washington, D.C. However, he changed to the Republican Party in his late thirties. He felt that the Democratic Party did not represent his views anymore.
He was active in the Howard County Republican Central Committee. He helped with political campaigns and was 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 worked to help small businesses. In 2002, he moved to the Office of Performance Improvement.
In 2006, President Bush nominated Rutherford to be Assistant Secretary for Administration for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was known for being a strong leader in this role.
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. Ehrlich's team picked him because of his business background. They believed he could help make government more efficient.
During his time, Rutherford faced some challenges. He worked on state contracts and land deals. He aimed to improve how the state managed its services.
Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Elections and Role
On January 30, 2014, businessman Larry Hogan chose Rutherford as his running mate for the 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election. They had met while working for Governor Ehrlich. Rutherford saw his role as a "chief operating officer" to the governor. He suggested that Cabinet secretaries should report to him.
The Hogan-Rutherford team won the Republican primary. Then, in a surprising victory, they defeated the current Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown in the general election. 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 Democratic opponents.
Rutherford was considered a strong candidate for governor in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election. However, he announced in April 2021 that he would not run. He supported former Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz in the Republican primary. After she lost, Rutherford did not support the primary winner. He correctly predicted that the Democratic candidate, Wes Moore, would win the general election. In November 2022, Governor Hogan asked Rutherford to help with the transition to the new Moore-Miller administration.
Time in Office
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Rutherford became lieutenant governor on January 21, 2015. He was the third African American to hold this position in Maryland. When Governor Hogan was ill, Rutherford often acted as governor. He led important meetings for the state.
During his time, Rutherford worked on several key issues:
- He worked with city officials during the Freddie Gray protests.
- He promoted programs to help people buy homes and reduce lead poisoning in Baltimore.
- He supported changes to Maryland's government purchasing rules.
- He also supported stronger penalties for violent crimes.
Rutherford also traveled internationally to promote Maryland. He attended the Paris Air Show to support Maryland's aerospace industry. ..... In 2020, he traveled to Dubai and Tel Aviv to encourage economic growth in Maryland.
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 defended the state's vaccine rollout and how the state used emergency powers.
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 shares his experiences visiting all 76 Maryland state parks. In April 2023, he became a senior fellow at the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute at Towson University.
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.
Personal Life
Boyd Rutherford and his wife, Monica, live in Columbia, Maryland. They have three adult children: one son and two daughters.
In December 2022, a part of Rosaryville State Park was named the "Rutherford Area." This was done to honor Boyd Rutherford.
Images for kids
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Rutherford in 2020
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Rutherford's official portrait, 2006
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Rutherford with Governor-elect Wes Moore, November 2022
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Rutherford being sworn in as lieutenant governor, 2015
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Rutherford, his wife, and Governor Hogan at the Rutherford Area, 2022
See also
