Overview
- Gov. Wes Moore issued an executive order convening the General Assembly on Dec. 16 to select a successor after Adrienne Jones stepped down as speaker.
- House Democrats will hold a closed-door meeting that day, with Caucus Chair Emily Shetty overseeing a rules-driven process requiring a majority of the caucus for a nominee.
- Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk is the only declared candidate so far and is described as the frontrunner, with backers citing her leadership of the House Health and Government Operations Committee.
- The session can consider other business, and the Senate must take up veto overrides, but a senior Senate staffer said redistricting will not be discussed despite GOP concerns.
- Speaker Pro Tem Dana Stein is carrying out the speaker’s duties, and Jones, the first Black woman to hold the post, will continue serving as a delegate for District 10.