In a quiet but telling shift within the Moore administration, Eric Luedtke, former chief legislative officer and senior policy advisor to Governor Wes Moore, has stepped away from the State House to join Secretary Josh Kurtz at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Luedtke will oversee capital projects for state parks, a role that aligns with his legislative legacy and personal passion for Maryland’s natural spaces.
“This work is a real passion project,” Luedtke said in a phone interview. “Secretary Josh Kurtz and the whole crew at DNR are really awesome to work with.”
Luedtke’s move marks his second transition within the Moore administration in just over a year. Originally tapped to lead legislative strategy, he later pivoted to focus on budget and tax policy amid mounting structural deficits and the rollout of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. His twelve-year tenure on the House Ways and Means Committee made him a natural fit for navigating fiscal headwinds.
But the call of the outdoors proved stronger. As a delegate, Luedtke championed the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, which directed significant funding toward state park infrastructure. His new role at DNR puts him back in the thick of that work, boots on the ground, blueprint in hand.
Secretary Josh Kurtz, who leads DNR with a blend of pragmatism and conservationist zeal, welcomed Luedtke’s arrival. “Eric brings a deep understanding of both policy and implementation,” Kurtz said. “His experience will be invaluable as we invest in Maryland’s parks and public lands.”
Luedtke, an avid hiker and outdoorsman, recently returned from a week-long scouting trip aboard a boat in Florida. His social media is peppered with snapshots from Maryland’s state parks, underscoring the personal connection he brings to the job.
This move also reflects a broader reshuffling within the Moore administration, as several senior officials transition into new roles ahead of the 2025 legislative session. For Luedtke, it’s a return to hands-on governance, this time, with a trail map and a mandate to build.