Nick Panuzio, who has served as chair of the Republican Central Committee of Talbot County since 2009, has stepped down.
Panuzio’s service as the chair of the local Central Committee caps a long and distinguished career in politics and public service.
Under his leadership of the Central Committee, the number of Republican candidates winning local elections in Talbot County increased greatly. During his tenure, Governor Hogan received almost 70% of the votes cast in Talbot County in the 2014 gubernatorial election and 77% of the votes cast in Talbot County in 2018 on his way to a historic re-election.
Panuzio began his political career by winning an election to serve as mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He won by 9 votes, running as a Republican in a city where 70% of the registered voters were Democrats. He also served in the Connecticut state legislature and ran for governor of Connecticut in 1974.
Panuzio moved to Washington DC after being appointed by President Gerald Ford to serve as the U.S. Commissioner of Public Buildings for the General Services Administration. He was responsible for the construction, leasing, management and protection of all federal buildings including several Presidential Libraries. He was also responsible for overseeing a national program on the utilization, re-utilization of government-owned real property as well as disposal of excess properties.
Following that presidential appointment, he served as an advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Panuzio also served as the CEO of a public affairs consulting firm in Washington DC.
Panuzio’s career has been much more than numerous significant accomplishments in the political and government arenas. He has also been very involved in Talbot County civic and community affairs. He served as a member of the Finance Council at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church; was awarded an Order of Merit from the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington; served on the Town of St. Michaels Housing Authority; and chaired the Housing Commission of Talbot County. He has been and is a loyal friend, expert mentor and advisor to countless citizens and elected officials.
In recognition of his long and deep commitment to public service, Panuzio received two Honorary Doctorates (one in Law and one in Humane Letters) from the University of Bridgeport, where he also served as an administrator and professor.
Debbie Leber says
Appreciate all that Nick has done for our community. His skill and talent will be missed.
Thomas Alspach says
It need not be missed! I can think of no one more qualified to step up in place of Nick, as chair of the RCC, than Sears Wheeler. Having heard nothing to the contrary from them, Sears apparently remains roundly embraced by the entire RCC.