Charles Albert 'Dutch' Ruppersberger III is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he began his public service career as an assistant state attorney for Baltimore County from 1972 to 1980. He then entered local politics, serving as a Baltimore County councilman from 1985 to 1994 before being elected Baltimore County Executive, a position he held from 1994 to 2002. During his tenure as county executive, he focused on issues like education, public safety, and economic development in the Baltimore suburbs.

In Congress, Ruppersberger became a prominent figure on national security matters, serving as the ranking member of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2011 to 2015. He was involved in key investigations, including the Benghazi attacks and Russian election interference. Ruppersberger also sat on the House Appropriations Committee and advocated for defense spending, intelligence reforms, and support for Israel. Known for his bipartisan approach, he collaborated with figures like Steny Hoyer on legislative efforts. In 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2024, concluding nearly five decades in public service.

Ruppersberger's career reflects a commitment to Maryland's interests, particularly in intelligence and homeland security, shaped by his legal background and local government experience. He has been recognized for his work on cybersecurity and veterans' affairs, though he faced criticism over his support for certain surveillance programs.