Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Adrienne Jones to Step Down as Maryland House Speaker, Remain a Delegate

Her exit ends a six-year run as the chamber’s first Black woman to hold the gavel, setting up a leadership contest among top committee chairs.

Image
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.
AdrienneJones
Image

Overview

  • WBAL reported and WTOP confirmed through multiple sources that Jones will relinquish the speakership, with a meeting of committee leaders called Thursday as the transition begins.
  • She plans to keep representing District 10 in Baltimore County, maintaining her seat in the House of Delegates.
  • Jones has served more than six years as speaker and has been a delegate since 1997, becoming the first Black and first female speaker in 2019.
  • Her tenure featured pushes on a constitutional abortion-rights measure, support for a $15 minimum wage, expansion of recreational cannabis, and equity-focused policies, with a committee-driven leadership style and close coordination with Gov. Wes Moore.
  • The race to succeed her is already forming, with early names circulating such as Ben Barnes, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, C.T. Wilson, and Jheanelle Wilkins, while Vanessa Atterbeary has pursued a bid for Howard County executive.