Grit built this. Faith keeps it.

Delegate Kathy Szeliga has proudly served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2011, bringing real-world experience, common sense, and a deep commitment to the people and communities she represents. She currently represents communities in Baltimore County and previously had the privilege of representing portions of Harford County as well.

Deep Maryland roots

Kathy grew up in a military family with a career Army father. Her family moved about every two years, but Baltimore was always home base, where generations of her mother’s family have lived and where her Maryland roots run deep.

Kathy met her husband, Mark, in Ocean City, and they eloped in Colorado more than 46 years ago. In those early years, Kathy worked a string of jobs to help make ends meet — as a dishwasher, parking lot attendant, maid, drywall worker, and waitress — while Mark learned the carpentry trade. They worked hard, saved what they could, and in 1986 they moved back to Maryland, took a leap of faith, and started their own small construction business.

While working, raising their children, and volunteering in the community, Kathy attended Towson University at night, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and graduating summa cum laude. She went on to teach in Baltimore City, where her own children also attended school. Her experiences as a mother, student, and teacher gave Kathy a firsthand appreciation for the difference a quality education can make in a child’s life. Education and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed remain top priorities for her today.

Through grit, perseverance, and decades of hard work, Kathy and Mark built their business together while raising their family. They know firsthand what it’s like to make payroll, balance a budget, meet a deadline, and take the risks that come with owning a small business. After more than 40 years in general contracting and residential rental property management, Kathy and Mark recently retired from their business.

Kathy also served as a foster parent, youth athletic coach, and youth Sunday School teacher — experiences that deepened her commitment to children, families, and her community. Together, these experiences have given Kathy a practical understanding of the challenges facing working families, parents, and small-business owners, and continue to shape the way she approaches her work in Annapolis.

Serving Maryland

In the House of Delegates, Kathy serves on the Health Committee, including the Insurance and Pharmaceutical Subcommittee and the Health Facilities Subcommittee. She also serves on the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.

From 2013 to 2021, Kathy served as House Minority Whip, helping lead the House Republican Caucus and shape legislative strategy in Annapolis. She is also a founding member of the Maryland Freedom Caucus and serves as its Vice Chair, where she champions individual liberty, fiscal responsibility, government accountability, public safety, and making Maryland more affordable for families and retirees.

Kathy’s leadership has led to appointments on a number of important commissions and workgroups, including Governor Larry Hogan’s State Transparency and Accountability Reform (STAR) Commission, Speaker Adrienne Jones’ Police Reform and Accountability Workgroup, and Speaker Michael Busch’s Marijuana Legalization Workgroup. These appointments have given Kathy the opportunity to work with leaders from across the political spectrum on some of the most consequential issues facing Maryland.

From 2019 to 2023, Kathy also served on the Maryland Commission on Aging, advocating for Maryland’s seniors and the families who love and care for them.

Family, faith, and community

For Kathy, family, faith, and community have always come first. She and Mark have been married for more than 46 years and are the proud parents of two married sons and grandparents of two grandchildren.

Kathy attends Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland, and for decades has been actively involved in numerous national and international Bible studies. Her faith is the foundation of her life, guiding her commitment to her family, her community, and serving others.

From working as a dishwasher and drywall worker to putting herself through college at night, building a family business, raising a family, and serving in leadership in the Maryland House of Delegates, Kathy has never forgotten where she came from or the value of faith, family, hard work, and opportunity. Kathy Szeliga is dedicated to ensuring the American Dream and unlimited opportunity are available for all Americans for generations to come.

For Kathy, public service is ultimately about people — listening to them, standing up for them, and working to leave Maryland better for the next generation. She remains committed to protecting the freedoms and opportunities that allow Marylanders to live, work, start a business, raise a family, and retire in the state they are proud to call home.