kasemeyer first served in the senate as a representative of the 14th district from january 1987 to january 1991, after a single term in the maryland house of delegates (elected 1982; served january 1983 to january 1987). running for re-election to the senate in 1990, he narrowly lost to republican christopher j. mccabe. after redistricting changed the district boundaries, he was elected again to the senate in 1994, this time from the 12th district. he was re-elected five times. during part of his tenure, kasemeyer served as the chair of the budget and taxation committee.