Former Speaker Retiring From Office

Former Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones has only been in her House seat in Annapolis three times since the 2026 General Assembly began. Now comes the news that Jones has withdrawn her paperwork for re-election and will not seek another term for the Baltimore County seat she’s held since 1997. Current Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk said Jones is under a doctor’s care and is on an excused absence. Jones was the first woman and black lawmaker to hold the Speaker position in Maryland. There is no information on whether Jones intends to resign her seat.