WYPR, Maryland’s NPR affiliate, recently profiled Sen. Chris West ’68 upon his retirement from the Maryland State Senate. 

West, a self-described moderate Republican who represents portions of Baltimore and Carroll Counties, retired after 12 years of service in the Maryland General Assembly. West told WYPR that he oversaw the passage of more than 100 bills during his distinguished tenure.

West described himself as a political “dinosaur,” a legislator from a more cooperative political era who emphasized working across party lines. He expressed concern about the worsening partisanship in the State House. Maryland Rep. Johnny Olszewski, a Democrat, credited West for his collaborative, bipartisan approach and appreciation for common ground.

“That kind of relationship is one that our nation’s capital could learn from,” Olszewski told WYPR. “Chris is someone who fought for his constituents, and even in moments of disagreement, we always tried to find that decency and that common ground.”

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