Statement
Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on the Election of Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk
For Immediate Release: Tuesday 16 December
“I congratulate Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk on her historic election as the next Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and as only the second Latina presiding officer in our nation’s history. Speaker Peña-Melnyk is fair, honest, and well respected by her colleagues across the state and across the aisle. That standing comes from years of serious, people-centered work and a willingness to engage across differences when the issues matter most.
Throughout her career, Speaker Peña-Melnyk has passionately advanced many of the same priorities that guide our work in Montgomery County, such as expanding access to health care, addressing inequities, and advocating for working families and communities that have historically been marginalized. Those values are not abstract; they show up in the legislation she has led and the way she approaches public service.
I have appreciated her partnership with me and our state delegation over many years, and I am grateful for her consistent engagement with our County on issues that directly affect our residents. As she prepares to lead the House at a pivotal moment for Maryland, I look forward to continuing that partnership and working together to meet the challenges ahead with seriousness and purpose.
I also want to thank Speaker Adrienne Jones for her service since 2019. Her steady leadership during the pandemic and throughout Maryland’s economic recovery helped guide the state through an extraordinarily difficult period, and her legacy as Speaker will continue to shape the institution she leaves behind.”
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Release ID: 25-031