A decorated veteran and a respected lawmaker
Doug Peters, a former Maryland state senator who served as the majority leader and the chair of the capital budget committee, passed away on December 30, 2023, at the age of 60. He had been battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for several years.
Peters was a decorated veteran who served as a captain in the United States Army Reserve and earned a Bronze Star Medal during Operation Desert Storm. He was also a successful businessman who became the president and CEO of The Peters Group, a records management company.
He began his political career in 1998, when he was elected to the city council of Bowie, Maryland. He then served on the Prince George’s county council from 2002 to 2006, before winning a seat in the Maryland state senate in 2006.
A leader in the state senate and the community
Peters represented the 23rd district in Prince George’s County in the state senate from 2007 to 2021. He was a member of the budget and tax committee and co-chaired the veteran’s caucus. He also chaired the capital budget subcommittee, which oversees the state’s spending on infrastructure and public facilities.
Peters was known for his bipartisan approach and his advocacy for education, health care, and economic development. He played a key role in securing funding for the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, which opened in 2021, and the school construction program using public-private partnerships.
Peters was also active in various civic and business organizations, such as the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and the Southern Legislative Conference. He was a member of the Leadership Greater Washington class of 1997 and the president’s advisory committee of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
A devoted family man and a loyal friend
Peters was married for 33 years and had six children and two grandchildren. He was a devout Catholic and a lifelong resident of Maryland. He was also a past commander of the Bowie American Legion and VFW posts.
Peters was widely respected and admired by his colleagues, friends, and constituents. He was described as a humble, generous, and compassionate person who always put others first. He was also praised for his courage, integrity, and leadership.
In June 2021, Peters announced that he would not seek re-election in 2022, saying that it was time to let someone else take over. In July 2021, he was appointed to the unpaid University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents and resigned from the state senate. He said that he was proud of what he had accomplished and looked forward to serving on the board.
Peters’ death was mourned by many political and community leaders, who expressed their condolences and gratitude for his service. Governor Larry Hogan ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Peters. A funeral service will be held on January 5, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Bowie.
Comments