John Astle has served the citizens of Maryland for more than two decades. He was a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates for twelve years and is currently fulfilling his third term as State Senator for the 30th Legislative District that includes Annapolis.
Love of country prompted John to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966-1975. His service included a tour of duty in Vietnam as a combat helicopter pilot and a tour as a Presidential Helicopter pilot. In the course of his military service, John received a number of personal decorations including the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medial, 31 air medals, and the Presidential Service Badge. After resigning his regular commission in 1975, John began a 21 year commitment with the Marine Corps Reserves. During that time, he volunteered and served five months: active duty in the Persian Gulf War. John retired as a Colonel from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1996.
A recognized leader, John chaired the Anne Arundel County delegation to the Maryland House of Delegates for five years. He was Vice Chairman of both the Capital Budget Subcommittee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Law Enforcement and Transportation for the seven years he served on those committees.
Senator John is Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee and sits on the Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Council, the Governor’s Commission on the Structure and Efficiency of State Government, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Joint Audit Committee, and the Senate Finance Health Subcommittee. He also chaired the Task Force to Reform Maryland Credit Union Law.
An avid sportsman and advocate for environmental issues, John has been a long-time supporter of the National Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. To bolster the Foundation’s efforts, John helped spearhead the creation of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus in 2001. He now serves as its Senate Chairman. A frontrunner in this arena, Maryland became the national model for Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses throughout the country.
In December 2004, John’s years of persistence paid off when representatives from 21 state caucuses throughout the country banded together to create the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. In his role as President of the Executive Council for the newly- formed umbrella organization, John continues to be a strong voice for sportsmen’s rights throughout the country. His passion for the environment is evident through his work on the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Board of Trustees and his role as Co-Chairman of the Department of Natural Resources Special Fund Work Group in 2003.
John is a member of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association, Dallas Safari Club and Safari Club International.
John and his wife Jayne live in Annapolis. They have two sons, Jay, and David, who is deceased.
