Meet Kathy

FAMILY

Born in 1961 in Baltimore, Kathy was raised in a military family. She moved numerous times throughout her childhood, having attended 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. Her father was deployed to Korea twice and Vietnam once while she was growing up, giving Kathy a special understanding of the sacrifices of both our military personnel and the families they leave behind.

Married for 30 years to Mark Szeliga, they have two sons, Eric (23) and Steve (22). Additionally, Kathy is blessed to have a very close relationship with her grandmother (and hero) who turned 102 this year! Kathy’s extended family is a vital part of her life.

At the age of 32, Kathy graduated from Towson State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She graduated with highest honors, Summa cum laude. Although it was a challenge to complete college mostly at night while working and raising two small children, Kathy often uses that experience to encourage other women to do the same.

A LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE AND HARD WORK

Kathy has been working in the Maryland General Assembly for 14 years. For the last six years, Kathy has been the Chief of Staff to State Senator Andy Harris where she continues to serve the citizens of Maryland, particularly residents of Baltimore and Harford Counties. Senator Andy Harris was the Minority Whip while Bob Ehrlich was governor, and Kathy worked closely with the Ehrlich Administration in passing legislation in the Maryland Senate. Prior to working for Andy Harris, Kathy worked in the House of Delegates for Republicans John Trueschler and Jim Kelly, both from Towson. These experiences have prepared Kathy well to serve you as a Maryland State Delegate.

Kathy and her husband, Mark, started a construction contracting business 24 years ago. This family business is still going strong and now also includes their son, Eric. Kathy understands how difficult it is to start and maintain a small business in Maryland’s challenging business climate. Kathy is committed to being a strong voice for all small businesses and vows to oppose any additional taxation and unnecessary bureaucracy from Annapolis.

Kathy believes that the engine of our economy IS small business. Too many legislators do not understand that businesses want and need less government involvement in their operations.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

Community service has always been a large part of Kathy’s life. Kathy has been both a teacher and leader in her local church’s youth program for almost 24 years where she still continues to serve. While her children were in school, Kathy always played a part in the PTA and classroom. Kathy successfully obtained grant money for her elementary school’s computer program, was a member of the School Improvement Team, and served on and led numerous committees, including the After Prom Committee. Kathy started an annual school maintenance and improvement day where parents helped paint, caulk and do repairs to her sons’ aging public elementary school.

Kathy continues to be active in her local Republican club where she has served as a leader and board member. She was also a grassroots worker and spokesperson for Concerned Women for America under Senator Nancy Jacob’s leadership, and a dedicated campaign worker for numerous candidates in both Baltimore and Harford Counties.

Kathy is a current board member and long time supporter of the Association of Maryland Families, a non-partisan organization whose purpose is to educate voters and politicians to keep their commitment to both liberty and law, preserving the family values that have defined greatness in our Country and our state.

Additionally, Kathy has provided leadership through youth athletics for many years. While in high school, Kathy was the head coach of a girl’s recreation league soccer team. She coached her own sons’ soccer teams at many levels, been the team mom for a variety of sports, and organized fundraisers and parents in support of all kinds of youth sports teams, leagues and activities.

With a heart for the less fortunate and needy children of Baltimore City, Kathy and Mark became foster parents. A delightful four year old boy, Eddie, lived with the Szeliga family for 1 ½ years. Eddie was loved dearly as he brought both joy and challenges to the Szeliga family while everyone worked together to successfully reunite him with his birth family. Other foster children also lived with the Szeligas on a short term basis.

Kathy Szeliga has dedicated her life to her family, their family business, and the citizens of Baltimore and Harford Counties. Her faith is the basis on which she lives her life. Kathy's involvement in business, government, education, church, cultural and civic activities in Maryland has been diverse and extensive and has prepared her to be your Maryland State Delegate in 2010.