Aumann, Cluster Tapped For Legislative Posts After Shakeup

By Bryan Sears

Two Baltimore County Republicans have been chosen for supporting roles within the House of Delegates' minority party leadership.

Dels. Susan Aumann and John Cluster have been appointed to serve as assistant minority whip and deputy minority whip respectively.

The appointments come two months after Republican Dels. Nic Kipke and Kathy Szeliga ousted House Minority Leader Del. Anthony O'Donnell and House Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio.

Haddaway-Riccio is currently the lieutenant governor running mate for Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Harford County Executive David Craig.

Szeliga, a Perry Hall resident and former aide to former state Sen. Andy Harris, has served on the House Appropriations Committee with Aumann for the last three years.

Aumann, a Timonium resident, represents the 42 District. She was first elected in 2002.

Cluster, a retired Baltimore County police officer from Parkville, represents the 8th District. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee. He was first appointed to the seat in 2003 to replace former delegate and Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer. Cluster was elected to a full four-year term in 2010.

For the uninitiated, the job of a whip is largely political and traditionally focused on ensuring that members of the whip's respective party are present for important votes and voting with the leadership of the party.

Of the 141 delegates in the House, 43 are Republican.