List of current members of the Maryland Senate

The Maryland Senate is the upper house of the Maryland General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Maryland. One Senator is elected from each of the state's 47 electoral districts. As of January 2019, 32 of those seats are held by Democrats and 15 by Republicans. The leader of the Senate is known as the President, a position currently held by Bill Ferguson, who represents Baltimore City. In addition, Senators elect a President Pro Tempore, and the respective party caucuses elect a majority and minority leader and a majority and minority whip.

Party Composition of Maryland State Senate districts.

Senators are elected in even-numbered years when the President of the United States is not being elected, similar to most other state offices in Maryland. The most recent election was in November 2018. Senators are not term-limited. Should a Senator resign from office before his or her term expires, the local central committee of the party to which the retiring senator belonged makes a recommendation to the Governor for whom to appoint to the open seat. It is tradition for the Governor to appoint the recommended person.[1] Nine of the current members of the Maryland State Senate were originally appointed, all of whom have since been elected in their own right.[2] Newly elected Senators are sworn in and begin work on the second Wednesday of the January following their election.[3]

Each Senator has at least one standing committee assignment. The first is to one of the four legislative committees: Budget and Taxation; Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs (listed in this table as Education, Health, and Environment); Finance; or Judicial Proceedings. A number of Senators have secondary committee assignments, most prominently to the Executive Nominations Committee, which oversees the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to approve nominations by the Governor. Assignment to the Rules or Executive Nominations committees or to any Ad Hoc committees is not noted.

Current party composition
Maryland General Assemblies

Composition as of the beginning of the 2019–2022 term on January 9, 2019:

Affiliation Senators
  Democratic Party 33
  Republican Party 15
 Total
 47
 Democratic majority
 18 (70.2%)

During the 2015–2018 term, the State Senate was made up of 33 Democrats and 14 Republicans. Republicans gained two seats (District 38 in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties and District 42 in Baltimore County), while losing one seat (District 9 in Howard and Carroll counties) in the elections held on November 6, 2018.[4] Democrats maintain a super-majority in the chamber. Article II, Section 17(a) of the Maryland Constitution specifies it takes a three-fifths vote of both chambers to override a veto,[5] which is 29 votes in the State Senate. The rules of the Senate also permit members to limit debate by a three-fifths majority vote, meaning Republicans would need to gain four additional seats, for a total of 19, in order to sustain a veto or filibuster legislation.

Current leadership

The below table reflects the current leadership of the Maryland State Senate as of February 2, 2020.[6]

PositionNamePartyDistrict
President of the Senate Bill Ferguson Democratic 46
President pro tem Melony G. Griffith Democratic 25
Majority Leader Nancy J. King Democratic 39
Majority Whip Susan C. Lee Democratic 16
Minority Leader J. B. Jennings Republican 7
Minority Whip Stephen S. Hershey Jr. Republican 36

Current State Senators
District
Jurisdiction(s) represented
Image
Senator
Party
First
elected
Primary committee
1 Allegany, Garrett, and Washington[7] George C. Edwards[8] Republican[8] 2006[8] Budget and Taxation[8]
2 Washington[7] Paul D. Corderman Republican[9] Appointed and sworn in on September 1, 2020
3 Frederick[7] Ronald N. Young[10] Democratic[10] 2010[10] Judicial Proceedings[10]
4 Carroll and Frederick[7] Michael Hough[11] Republican[11] 2014[11] Judicial Proceedings[11]
5 Carroll[7] Justin Ready[12] Republican[12] Appointed and sworn in on February 2, 2015[12] Judicial Proceedings[12]
6 Baltimore County[7] Johnny Ray Salling[13] Republican[13] 2014[13] Budget and Taxation[13]
7 Baltimore County and Harford[7] J. B. Jennings[14] Republican[14] 2010[14] Finance[14]
8 Baltimore County[7] Katherine A. Klausmeier[15] Democratic[15] 2002[15] Finance[15]
9 Carroll and Howard[7] Katie Fry Hester[16] Democratic[16] 2018[16] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[16]
10 Baltimore County[7] Delores G. Kelley[17] Democratic[17] 1994[17] Finance (Chair)[17]
11 Baltimore County[7] Shelly L. Hettleman[18] Democratic[18] Appointed January 30, 2020 and sworn in on February 3, 2020[18] Judicial Proceedings[18]
12 Baltimore County and Howard[7] Clarence K. Lam[19] Democratic[19] 2018[19] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[19]
13 Howard[7] Guy Guzzone[20] Democratic[20] 2014[20] Budget and Taxation (Chair)[20]
14 Montgomery[7] Craig Zucker[21] Democratic[21] Appointed February 3, 2016 and sworn in on February 4, 2016[21] Budget and Taxation[21]
15 Montgomery[7] Brian Feldman[22] Democratic[22] Appointed September 12, 2013 and sworn in on September 17, 2013; first elected 2014[22] Finance (Vice Chair)[22]
16 Montgomery[7] Susan C. Lee[23] Democratic[23] 2014[23] Judicial Proceedings[23]
17 Montgomery[7] Cheryl Kagan[24] Democratic[24] 2014[24] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs (Vice Chair)[24]
18 Montgomery[7] Jeff Waldstreicher[25] Democratic[25] 2018[25] Judicial Proceedings (Vice Chair)[25]
19 Montgomery[7] Benjamin F. Kramer[26] Democratic[26] 2018[26] Finance[26]
20 Montgomery[7] William C. Smith Jr.[27] Democratic[27] Appointed December 13, 2016 and sworn in on December 21, 2016[27] Judicial Proceedings (Chair)[27]
21 Anne Arundel and Prince George's[7] James Rosapepe[28] Democratic[28] 2006[28] Budget and Taxation (Vice Chair)[28]
22 Prince George's[7] Paul G. Pinsky[29] Democratic[29] Appointed August 1, 1994 and sworn in on August 2, 1994; first elected November 1994[29] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs (Chair)[29]
23 Prince George's[7] Douglas J. J. Peters[30] Democratic[30] 2006[30] Budget and Taxation[30]
24 Prince George's[7] Joanne C. Benson[31] Democratic[31] 2010[31] Finance[31]
25 Prince George's[7] Melony G. Griffith[32] Democratic[32] 2018[32] Budget and Taxation[32]
26 Prince George's[7] Obie Patterson[33] Democratic[33] 2018[33] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[33]
27 Calvert, Charles and Prince George's[7] Thomas V. Miller Jr.[34] Democratic[34] 1974[34] Budget and Taxation[34]
28 Charles[7] Arthur Ellis[35] Democratic[35] 2018[35] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[35]
29 Calvert, and St. Mary's[7] Jack Bailey[36] Republican[36] 2018[36] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[36]
30 Anne Arundel[7] Sarah K. Elfreth[37] Democratic[37] 2018[37] Budget and Taxation[37]
31 Anne Arundel[7] Bryan Simonaire[38] Republican[38] 2006[38] Education, Health and Environmental Affairs[38]
32 Anne Arundel[7] Pamela Beidle[39] Democratic[39] 2018[39] Finance[39]
33 Anne Arundel[7] Edward R. Reilly Republican Appointed June 22, 2009; first elected 2010[a] Finance
34 Harford[7] Robert Cassilly Republican 2014 Judicial Proceedings
35 Cecil and Harford[7] Jason C. Gallion Republican 2018 Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
36 Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne's[7] Stephen S. Hershey Jr. Republican Appointed September 18, 2013 and sworn in on October 1, 2013; first elected 2014 Finance
37 Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico[7] Adelaide C. Eckardt Republican 2014 Budget and Taxation
38 Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester[7] Mary Beth Carozza Republican 2018 Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
39 Montgomery[7] Nancy J. King Democratic Appointed and sworn in on September 5, 2007; first elected 2010 Budget and Taxation
40 Baltimore City[7] Antonio Hayes Democratic 2018 Finance
41 Baltimore City[7] Jill P. Carter Democratic Appointed and sworn in on April 30, 2018 Judicial Proceedings
42 Baltimore County[7] Chris West Republican 2018 Judicial Proceedings
43 Baltimore City[7] Mary L. Washington Democratic 2018 Education, Health and Environmental Affairs
44 Baltimore City and Baltimore County[7] Charles E. Sydnor III Democratic 2019 Judicial Proceedings
45 Baltimore City[7] Cory V. McCray Democratic 2018 Budget and Taxation
46 Baltimore City[7] Bill Ferguson Democratic 2010 President of the Senate[b]
47 Prince George's[7] Malcolm L. Augustine Democratic 2018 Finance

Notes

a This Senator was originally appointed to office by the Governor to fill an open seat.

b The President of the Senate does not serve on any of the four standing legislative committees. He does, however, serve on both the Executive Nominations and the Rules Committees.

See also

References
General
  • "Maryland at a Glance: Government". Maryland Manual On-line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  • "Maryland Senate – Committees". Maryland Manual On-line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
Specific
  1. "Article III". Constitution of Maryland. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
  2. "Maryland Senate, Appointments by Governor". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  3. "Constitution of Maryland:Article III, Legislative Department". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  4. "Maryland Senate GOP re-elects Jennings as minority leader, Hershey as whip". baltimoresun.com. November 27, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  5. "Constitution of Maryland, Article II, Executive Department". Maryland Manual On-Line. September 29, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  6. "Maryland Senate – Organizational Structure". Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  7. "Legislator List – By District". General Assembly of Maryland. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  8. "Senator George C. Edwards". General Assembly of Maryland. December 2, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  9. "Senator Andrew A. Serafini". General Assembly of Maryland. February 17, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  10. "Senator Ronald N. Young". General Assembly of Maryland. December 2, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  11. "Senator Michael J. Hough". General Assembly of Maryland. December 2, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  12. "Senator Justin Ready". General Assembly of Maryland. December 2, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  13. "Seantor Johnny Ray Salling". General Assembly of Maryland. January 16, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  14. "Senator J.B. Jennings". General Assembly of Maryland. January 31, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  15. "Seantor Katherine Klausmeier". General Assembly of Maryland. March 20, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  16. "Kathryn A. (Katie) Fry Hester". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  17. "Senator Delores G. Kelley". General Assembly of Maryland. February 6, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  18. "Shelly L. Hettleman". Maryland Manual. February 3, 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  19. "Clarence K. Lam, M.D." Maryland Manual. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  20. "Senator Guy Guzzone". General Assembly of Maryland. February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  21. "Senator Craig J. Zucker". General Assembly of Maryland. January 17, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  22. "Senator Brian J. Feldman". Maryland General Assembly. February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  23. "Senator Susan C. Lee". General Assembly of Maryland. February 14, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  24. "Senator Cheryl C. Kagan". General Assembly of Maryland. December 12, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  25. "Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  26. "Benjamin F. Kramer". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  27. "Senator William C. Smith, Jr". General Assembly of Maryland. January 20, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  28. "Senator Jim Rosapepe". General Assembly of Maryland. January 12, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  29. "Senator Paul G.Pinsky". General Assembly of Maryland. January 17, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  30. "Senator Douglas J. J. Peters". General Assembly of Maryland. February 1, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  31. "Senator Joanne C. Benson". General Assembly of Maryland. January 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  32. "Melony Ghee Griffith". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  33. "Obie Patterson". General Assembly of Maryland. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  34. "Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr". General Assembly of Maryland. December 2, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  35. "Arthur Ellis (Maryland politician)". Maryland Manual. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  36. "John D. (Jack) Bailey". Maryland Manual. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  37. "Sarah K. Elfreth". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  38. "Senator Bryan W. Simonaire". General Assembly of Maryland. February 21, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  39. "Senator James E. DeGrange, Sr". Maryland Manual. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.

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