Nick Charles (politician)

Nicholas Patrick Charles II (born December 16, 1982) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland Senate representing District 25 since 2023. He previously represented the district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2019 to 2023.

Early life and education
Charles was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, and graduated from Largo High School. He served in the 60th Fighter Squadron and the 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron of the U.S. Air Force from 2001 to 2006, afterwards attending Community College of the Air Force, where he earned an associate degree in aviation management, and the University of the District of Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, both in 2009.

Career
After serving in the military, Charles worked as a defense contractor for the U.S. Navy. In 2015, he started his own consulting company.

In 2014, Charles unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 25, placing fifth in the Democratic primary. He ran again in 2018, during which he ran on a slate with incumbents Dereck E. Davis and Darryl Barnes. Charles placed third in the Democratic primary and general elections.

Maryland General Assembly
Charles was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. He served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee until 2021, afterwards serving in the Ways and Means Committee. Following the appointment of Erek Barron to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Charles was unanimously elected as the chair of the Prince George's County Delegation.

In October 2023, after state senator Melony G. Griffith announced that she would resign at the end of the month, Charles announced that he would apply to serve the remainder of Griffith's term in the Maryland Senate. He was the only candidate to apply for the seat and in November, he was unanimously nominated by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee to the seat. Charles was appointed to the seat by Governor Wes Moore and sworn in on December 5.

COVID-19 pandemic
During the 2021 legislative session, Charles introduced a bill that would prohibit employers from firing workers who refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Housing
In February 2015, Charles called real estate appraisers "part of the problem" when referring to a foreclosure and housing crisis in Prince George's County. During his 2018 House of Delegates campaign, he said he supported legislation to reform the real estate appraisal process. In 2023, Charles introduced a bill to provide low-income homeowners with a right to counsel in foreclosures.

Policing
During the 2020 legislative session, Charles introduced a bill that would allow people targeted by false police calls to sue callers for damages.

Social issues
During the 2022 legislative session, Charles introduced a bill that would ban discrimination against students and guardians in education.

Personal life
After serving in the military, Charles bought a home in Forestville, Maryland.

Charles' personal military awards include two Air Force Achievement Medals.