欧博abgMelnyk sworn in as Maryland's Speaker of
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — During a special session of the General Assembly, Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, became the first Afro-Latina Speaker of the House of Delegates in Maryland.
Peña-Melnyk, a delegate representing Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, has served in the House of Delegates since 2007. She became chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee in 2022.
She emerged as the leading contender to replace Adrienne Jones, Maryland’s first female speaker, just days after Jones announced she would step back.
Gov. Wes Moore then called a special session and on Dec. 16, Peña-Melnyk swore an oath in front of her colleagues – past and present – in the House of Delegates.
Just two hours prior to the start of the special session, the House Democratic Caucus held a closed-door meeting to nominate Peña-Melnyk for the job. After a few audible cheers heard from the hallway, Peña-Melnyk emerged from the room and thanked her colleagues for putting their trust in her.
“I am really humble and honored to have the nomination of my colleagues. Speaker Jones leaves big shoes for me to fill,” she said. “She was a transformative leader.”
I don't have words to express how I feel about my colleagues trusting me with this enormous responsibility to lead, Del. Peña-Melnyk said.Noting Jones’ commitment to health care, investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland, and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education spending Plan, Peña-Melnyk said Jones led “with integrity and honor.”
“I hope I can do that as well,” she added.
While Tuesday was filled with well wishes and a celebratory tone, the new speaker will be faced with serious choices and challenges come January when the regular session begins.
Right now, lawmakers are facing a projected $1.49 billion budget deficit for the next budget yar, and there have been renewed calls for changes to the Blueprint, which is driving up the deficit in future years for the state.
Plus, mid-cycle redistricting will likely continue to loom over the State House as session gets underway now that a special session to draw new congressional maps has come and gone.
Gov. Moore has consistently pushed for the idea, with support from national Democrats as well. He launched a bipartisan redistricting commission that has held several – virtual – meetings hearing from Marylanders about the possibility of jumping into the fray.
Senate President Bill Ferguson has stood firm in his opposition toward mid-cycle redistricting. In a letter to his caucus members, Ferguson – a Democrat from Baltimore City – said he believed getting involved in the mdi-cycle boundary drawing comes at too big of a political and legal risk for Democrats.
Before leaving her position as speaker, Jones supported the idea of new congressional maps now. It’s not clear where a Speaker Peña-Melnyk will come down on the issue. But, prior to her swearing in, a group of progressive organizations rallied in her support outside the State House. In addition to healthcare access and immigrant rights, the people at the rally pushed for mid-cycle redistricting.
Speaker Peña-Melnyk grew up in New York when she came to the United States as a little girl. She became an attorney, and has worked as a public defender, criminal defense attorney, and worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“I'm an inclusive leader, and I'm going to lead with my colleagues,” she said. “This House belongs to all of us.”
Lawmakers will return to Annapolis for the 2026 General Assembly Session Jan. 14, 2026.
Comment with Bubbles
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (10)
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.