Congratulations to Maryland’s new speaker

Congratulations are in order for the new Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk. Peña-Melnyk was made speaker on December 16, 2025 in a special session. The special session was necessitated by the resignation of Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County), who stepped down abruptly as speaker, although she will still remain as a delegate.

After a speedy vote, both Democrats and Republicans in the House expressed support for Peña-Melnyk, and praised her abilities and skills. It took only a few days following Jones’s resignation for Peña-Melnyk to gain enough support to clinch the nomination from the Democratic caucus, which controls the House with a supermajority.

Peña-Melnyk has a long history (18 years) in the House, representing parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. She will lead the House in a legislative session that will be dealing with some weighty issues. Among them are a projected $1.4 billion state budget deficit, sharply escalating health care costs, and a political divide over the push for congressional redistricting.

The 59-year-old Peña-Melnyk emigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic as a young child and was the first person in her family to earn a college degree.  She worked as a criminal defense attorney, and later, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, before holding public office.  She started her political career as a member of the City Council of College Park, where she lives with her husband and children. In the House of Delegates, she chaired several important committees.

We congratulate Speaker Peña-Melnyk and wish her success in her new role.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

James B. Astrachan, Chair

James K. Archibald

Gary E. Bair

Arthur F. Fergenson

Nancy Forster

Susan Francis

Julie C. Janofsky

Ericka N. King

George Liebmann

George Nilson

Steven I. Platt

Angela W. Russell

Debra G. Schubert

Jeff Sovern

H. Mark Stichel

The Daily Record Editorial Advisory Board is composed of members of the legal profession who serve voluntarily and are independent of The Daily Record. Through their ongoing exchange of views, members of the board attempt to develop consensus on issues of importance to the bench, bar and public. When their minds meet, unsigned opinions will result. When they differ, or if a conflict exists, majority views and the names of members who do not participate will appear. Members of the community are invited to contribute letters to the editor and/or columns about opinions expressed by the Editorial Advisory Board.