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Peña-Melnyk Makes as History as New Maryland House Speaker
Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk became Maryland’s first Afro-Latina House Speaker, leading a progressive agenda amid a $1.49 billion budget deficit, officials said.
- On Dec. 16, Del. Joseline Peña‑Melnyk was sworn in as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming the state's first Afro‑Latina and first immigrant to lead the chamber in Annapolis, Maryland.
- After Adrienne Jones announced she would step back, the House Democratic Caucus held a closed-door meeting two hours before the special session to nominate Peña-Melnyk.
- As a one-time candidate among four, Peña-Melnyk quickly secured enough votes in the House Democratic Caucus, prompting the three other candidates to withdraw amid audible cheers and embraces from fellow delegates.
- Peña‑Melnyk immediately outlined priorities on "Affordability, access to quality education, health care, public safety, economic opportunity," and controls the agenda with Governor Wes Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson before January 14, 2026.
- Looking ahead, it remains unclear where Speaker Peña‑Melnyk will land on mid‑cycle redistricting as Senate President Bill Ferguson warns of political risk, while lawmakers face a $1.49 billion deficit.
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Joseline Peña Melnyk, who was born in the Dominican Republic and migrated to New York, becomes the first Afro-Latino migrant in the State Chamber
Peña-Melnyk makes as history as new Maryland House speaker
Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk was elected as the next Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, making history as the first Afro-Latina and first immigrant to lead either chamber of the state legislature.
·Washington, United States
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Maryland General Assembly elects new House speaker
House lawmakers elected Anne Arundel County Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, D-District 21, chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, to fill the seat. The election comes after Adrienne Jones announced her decision to step down from the role, though she'll still retain her seat as a delegate.
·Baltimore, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 38%
Factuality
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