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Erin Cox
Local reporter covering the state policy of Maryland
The Maryland House of Delegates on Wednesday elected the first woman and first African American speaker in state history, and chose Del. Adrienne Jones of Baltimore County as a consensus candidate after a bitter battle between two other veteran members who threatened to separate the party. powerful Black Legislative Caucus – in two.
Jones, who is the interim president, withdrew her candidacy last week to rally Black MPs around Del. Dereck E. Davis from Prince George's County.
But the Democratic caucus, which holds more than two-thirds of the seats in the House, was divided as to whether to support Davis, a political centrist, or Baltimore City Del. Maggie McIntosh, who had the support of left wing and liberal defense groups.
Davis would have been the first person of color to direct the room; McIntosh would have been the first woman and the first openly gay person to do so.
[Historic, divisive Maryland Speaker race headed for floor vote Wednesday]
A special session of the House scheduled for Wednesday Wednesday was delayed by more than two hours, as Democrats argued in camera over who should succeed long-time speaker Michael E. Busch, who died suddenly. April 7th.
Del Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore City), left, is sworn in as the next speaker of Maryland House. She is the first African-American woman and the first woman to hold this position. She is accompanied by Dels. Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery), not shown, and Benjamin Brooks (D-Baltimore), right. (Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post)
McIntosh won the secret ballot of Democratic Caucus 58-40, according to two people who knew the vote.
Shortly after, House Minority leader Nicholaus R. Kipke (R-Anne Arundel) announced that the 42-member House of Commons would vote for Davis, opening the door for victory for him. he could retain at least 29 Democratic votes once the plenary meeting was held.
It would have been unprecedented for a Democrat to be elected president of Maryland on the basis of Republican voices.
"We are aware of the historic opportunity this city represents for Maryland and we are delighted to vote for the one who would be Maryland's first African-American president," Kipke said in a statement. "Although this decision has not been easy and we have great respect for all candidates, we believe that the next President must be a leader for us all and that Dereck Davis is the right choice for the future. State of Maryland. "
Democratic legislators continued to meet behind closed doors. Shortly before 2:30 pm, they emerged and said that they would support Jones. Kipke then announced that Republicans would also vote for Jones on the ground, thus continuing the tradition of unanimity once the majority party's choice became apparent.
Of the. Adrienne Jones, right, announced Friday that she would pull out of the Maryland House of Delegates race to support Del. Dereck E. Davis. On Wednesday, she was elected to the post. (Brian Witte / AP)
McIntosh officially nominated Jones to the floor, calling her "great colleague" and "the hardest working person in this assembly" and saying "these walls will never be the same again".
Davis supported the nomination. "House of Cards has nothing on us. Talk about drama, "he joked, before addressing Jones directly. "You wanted to retire for me and I am honored to do it for you."
The house then gave Jones an ovation.
[[[[Battle of the House Speakers: 'Game of Thrones', Annapolis Style "]
Jones, a member of Parliament since 1997, was Busch's second in command for 16 years.
However, while McIntosh and Davis were Busch's senior officers, who held visible roles as chairs of influential committees, the chairperson position was largely behind the scenes until this year, when Busch was absent. during the last three weeks of the legislative session. Jones led the sessions instead.
She said that she was not considering seeking the highest position prior to this experience, but then decided to pursue it as she thought she could be an inclusive and positive leader.
"I do not want to look back in the years to come and say," I would have liked to do it, "she said in an interview last month, before leaving the group for support Davis.
The competition between Davis and McIntosh has divided the Democratic caucus of the House of Representatives and the influential Black Legislative Caucus of Maryland on ideological, generational and geographic bases, with many older and more centrist legislators – particularly from Prince George & # 39; s – supporting Davis, and the more liberal and younger flank of the chamber supporting McIntosh.
Progressive groups have threatened to support their main opponents against Democrats who did not support McIntosh. Black caucus leaders said it was long overdue to have an African-American president – in an almost black state out of three and where African Americans hold nearly half of the Democratic seats at the polls. Bedroom -.
From the beginning, Davis started courting Republican support. At this week, McIntosh also called Republican lawmakers.
Democratic and Republican caucuses began to meet in camera Wednesday at 10 am At times, the black caucus separated from the Democratic caucus to meet separately, then came back.
The Republicans struggled to make sure their block was complete. A legislator returned from his vacation to Seattle to vote; another came back from Tennessee. A third postponed his vacation to be in town, said Kipke.
The Senate met at noon as a formality for the House to be able to vote legally.
As private caucus meetings continued, dozens of journalists, advocates, and political observers were waiting for developments in the corridor.
"History, history," said Baltimore's prominent lawyer, Billy Murphy, as members of the black caucus headed for the Democratic caucus room after the secret ballot.
"It's a good day for history," said Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), a supporter of Davis.
"It's not over, but I'm proud of people here."
Rachel Chason contributed to this report.
Read more:
Of the. Maggie McIntosh: Smart Strategist of the Liberal Party Wing
Of the. Dereck Davis: Experienced Legislator with Centrist References
After a conflicting historical battle, Davis and McIntosh claim enough votes to become president
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