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18h ago

Adrienne Jones Resigns as Maryland House Speaker, Setting Off Contest to Succeed Her

The Democratic Caucus plans to choose a nominee on Dec. 16 to head a chamber where the speaker sets the agenda.

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Del. C.T. Wilson outside of the House Office Building in Annapolis. He is a top contender for the Sun’s Marylander of the Year.
Maryland Capitol Police Officers raise U.S. and Maryland flags Tuesday over the State House for the first time since last year, when scaffolding went up for restoration of the historic building’s dome.
Adrienne Jones (D), speaker with the Maryland House of Delegates talks about the end of the 2023 legislative session in Annapolis on Tuesday., April 4, 2023.

Overview

  • Jones stepped down after more than six years leading the House and will continue serving as a delegate for Baltimore County, closing a tenure as the chamber’s first woman and first Black speaker.
  • Del. C.T. Wilson formally launched a bid for speaker, and Dels. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, and Jheanelle Wilkins have signaled interest and are being discussed as frontrunners.
  • Democrats will meet Dec. 16 to nominate a candidate, with a full House vote on the opening day of session; Speaker Pro Tem Dana Stein is performing the duties in the interim and 72 votes are required to elect a successor.
  • The next speaker will control bill referrals and committee assignments, and delegates are already courting support with policy and committee commitments as the race takes shape.
  • Wilson chairs Economic Matters; Peña-Melnyk leads Health and Government Operations; Barnes chairs Appropriations; and Wilkins chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, highlighting the high-profile field.