Maryland House President Michael Busch dies at the age of 72

Maryland House President Michael E. Busch is severely suffering from pneumonia, his staff said Sunday, and "his condition has worsened" since he was placed under a fan for the first time. To help breathe.

Busch, 72, is a titan of Democratic State politics and the oldest House Speaker of Maryland's history. He was hospitalized last week.

"Yesterday, doctors at the Medical Center at the University of Maryland decided that President Busch's breathing had worsened considerably and that the president had decided to use a ventilator to help him breathe," Alexandra M. Hughes, Chief of Staff Busch. said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, his condition has worsened in recent hours," the statement said. "His family is asking for confidentiality at this time and keeping the President in your thoughts and prayers."

The turn of the grave follows two years of significant struggle for the health of the County Democrat Anne Arundel, who underwent a liver transplant in 2017 and a heart bypass in 2018.

Maryland House President Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), left, and Senate Speaker, Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) meet one after the other. another after Governor Larry Hogan (D) addressed Parliament. in Annapolis in January. (Patrick Semansky / AP)

Busch, affectionately nicknamed "Coach" by his caucus, was absent intermittently in this year's legislative session, the 32nd of his political career. For the first time in 16 years that he held the position of President, Mr. Busch was presiding over a chair instead of appearing before the sometimes unruly 141-member chamber.

The session of the General Assembly – which opened in January with the revelations of his Busch counterpart, the Senate Speaker, Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) – has Stage IV prostate cancer – ends Monday at midnight.

Just last week, the Busch staff was optimistic, he could come back for part of the last day.

A few minutes after the public announcement of his state Sunday, tributes from both sides of the box flocked to social media, including longtime political opponents such as Governor Larry Hogan (right).

"I'm just sorry for this news", Hogan posted on Twitter. "President Busch has dedicated his life to our state. . . . I ask all Marylanders to join us in extending our most sincere prayers to the President and his family during this difficult time. "

Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), president of Maryland House, right, when signing a bill with the government of the day. Martin O'Malley (D) in 2011. (Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post)

The US representative Anthony G. Brown (D), whom Busch mentored when Brown was a state delegate, called him "one of the good guys".

"He trained people and then let them progress," Brown said. "He believed in the development of talent. He did what a good coach does: he identifies talents, mentors and sends you on the field to do your job. "

Busch was a football star in high school and college whose job prospects had been marred by a knee injury while he was playing at Temple University in Philadelphia. He returned to Anne Arundel County, where he grew up with three younger sisters. He became a teacher and coach before joining the House of Delegates in 1987.

He brought to politics a popular way and a skill to manage personalities and political alliances. He is also known for his fondness for the press and for reporting to reporters as staff tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to return to his office.

As he embarked on politics, Busch retained his position as Youth Sports Director with the Anne Arundel County Government and was eager to lead his two daughters, Erin and Megan, now adults, to the School in Annapolis each morning. He retired from the county in October after 40 years of work.

He lives in Annapolis with his wife, Cindy.

House minority leader Nicholaus R. Kipke (R-Anne Arundel) said in a statement that Busch was "beloved by all of us in the Republican caucus".

"I came to respect it and admire it in a way that I would never have imagined," the statement said. "He loves the House of Delegates and its members; so often as a coach, he was trying to bring out the best of all members, both sides.

"Although we did not always agree and sometimes disagree on highly debated issues, it was through his leadership as President that our debate was thoughtful and allowed all voices to be heard. to be heard. I am very grateful to him.