ABOUT PHIL

Phil Bissett has the experience and dedication to represent Council District 7 in Anne Arundel County. With more than 20 years in public service, Phil served on the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee in 1990 and went on to serve as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1991-1999), representing District 30.  A proven leader, Phil was elected chairman of the Anne Arundel County delegation, the first Republican and youngest member to serve in that capacity.

As a delegate, Phil worked to hold the line on taxes.  He was named the 1994 Legislator of the Year by the State’s Attorneys’ Association for his work protecting the rights of victims of violent crimes and supporting law enforcement.  The Maryland Chamber of Commerce named him Legislator of the Year in 1997 for working to curb lawsuit abuse.  And, in 1994-95, Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored him for his sponsorship of and dedication to Annie’s Law, which set a new standard for timely and compulsory blood-alcohol testing and toughened drunk driving laws.  He also ensured that much-needed funds reached his District when push came to shove at budget time.  He has been tireless in his efforts to better our community, serving on numerous boards and commissions, finding solutions and advocating change for the better.

Phil’s dedication to his “hometown” has been recognized at the polls in District 7 where he has bested his opponents in every election since 1990.  Phil won the county-wide Republican primary for county executive of Anne Arundel County in 2002 and earned more than 48% of the vote in the general election.  Phil easily outpolled the incumbent in Council District 7 by winning 71% of the election precincts.  In the 2006 Republican primary for Anne Arundel County Executive Phil won an overwhelming 40% of the vote in a five candidate primary with the next closest candidate at only 28% of the vote in Council District 7.

After more than 15 years in public life and service to his community, the governor appointed him as Assistant Secretary of Governmental Matters, Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 2003.  He was then promoted to the Maryland Department of Transportation as Director of Compliance and Efficiency, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.  Ultimately, he was appointed in 2004 to head the Maryland Rail Commuter Train and Commuter Bus Service (MARC), a position he resigned to dedicate his efforts full time to his run for county executive of Anne Arundel County in the last election cycle.  While at MARC, Phil succeeded in advancing technology, efficiency and reliability to improve services and options for more than 28,000 Maryland commuters every day.

Phil has been a successful small business owner since 1992.  As a licensed contractor he brings a unique private sector perspective to problem solving.  Phil understands the risks associated with running a business and has first-hand knowledge of bottom line accountability and financial stability.  

Phil embodies Anne Arundel County values.  Raised in Mayo, where he lives today, his family has called our county home for generations.  Two of his three sons, Cameron and Corey, have graduated from South River High School and Cody, his youngest son, is entering his junior year there. Phil is active in community life; he has coached for the Mayo Athletic Association and participated in the Citizens Advisory Council and PTO of his sons' schools.  He has won recognition for his many contributions as a community advocate and leader.

Phil and his wife, Robin, despite their many public roles, make time with family a top priority.  They have spent many years checking homework, cheering for youth sports, watching band performances, fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay, and spending quality family time with their children. Phil is a family man and always puts family first.