Martha Scanlan Klima

Martha Scanlan Klima (December 3, 1938 – October 9, 2025) was an American politician who was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. She was first elected in 1982 to represent District 9, which covered a portion of Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. She unsuccessfully ran for the State Senate in 2002. She was defeated by Jim Brochin.

Career Klima's primary job early in life was a homemaker. However, she was also involved in politics early in life. She was a past secretary of the Central Maryland Health Systems Agency. She was elected as a delegate to the Republican Party National Convention in 1984, which nominated Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Additionally, Klima was a member of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, once serving as chair of the membership relations committee. She was a past member and governing trustee of the Council on Economic Education in Maryland.

Awards and recognition Klima won numerous awards and received recognition during her long career, including being appointed an honorary life member of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers. She was once received the Woman of the Year Award from the Towsontowne Business and Professional Women's Club in 1988. Klima was named Outstanding Legislative Member by ALEC in 1994. She also received the Legislative Award from the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities in 1994. She also received the Public Service Award from the Baltimore Association for Retarded Citizens in 1994 and finally, the Legislator of the Year award from ALEC in 2001. Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome Jim Brochin, Dem. 22,709 51% Won Martha S. Klima, Rep. 21,781 48.9% Lost Other Write-Ins 45 0.1% Lost

1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9A Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome Martha S. Klima, Rep. 19,190 40% Won A. Wade Kach, Rep. 18,382 38% Won Stephen C. Kirsch, Dem. 10,584 22% Lost

1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9B Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome Martha S. Klima, Rep. 19,927 38% Won A. Wade Kach, Rep. 18,734 36% Won Shelley Buckingham, Dem. 7,829 15% Lost Raymond A. Huber, Dem. 5,823 11% Lost

1990 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9 Voters to choose three: Name Votes Percent Outcome Martha S. Klima, Rep. 15,461 19% Won Gerry L. Brewster, Dem. 14,876 19% Won John J. Bishop, Rep. 14,589 18% Won Michael Gisriel, Dem. 14,428 18% Lost Charles Culbertson, Dem. 10,522 13% Lost James Holechek, Rep. 9,855 12% Lost

1986 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 9 Voters to choose three: Name Votes Percent Outcome Martha S. Klima, Rep. 16,082 19% Won Michael Gisriel, Dem. 14,329 17% Won John J. Bishop, Rep. 14,004 17% Won Patrick E. Carter, Rep. 13,003 16% Lost Jack R. Sturgill Jr., Dem. 12,819 16% Lost William R. Richardson Jr., Dem. 12,291 15% Lost