On Monday Derrick Coley was unanimously selected by the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee to fill the soon-to-be vacant District 24 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. The nearly two-hour public hearing in Lanham drew a standing-room-only crowd, with four candidates making presentations before all 25 committee members voted in Coley’s favor. A current member of the committee, Coley thanked supporters and fellow candidates following the vote and said, “I want to say thank you for allowing me to serve almost 12 years … among you pushing democratic principles throughout this county and throughout the great state of Maryland. Let’s get to work.”
Coley, 51, currently serves as a deputy director in Prince George’s County’s Department of the Environment, a role he began this past summer. Former Glenarden Mayor Obie Pinckney and County Executive Aisha Braveboy spoke on his behalf during the hearing. Braveboy emphasized Coley’s readiness, saying, “I have to say all the candidates are well qualified, really good people. However, I’m here to support Derrick Coley. As I look at it, he’s most ready to serve on day one.”
Once Gov. Wes Moore receives Coley’s name, he will have 15 days to appoint him to replace former Del. Jazz Lewis, whose resignation took effect January 5th. If appointed, Coley would serve alongside Delegates Tiffany Alston and Andrea Fletcher Harrison, representing a district that includes Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, and Glenn Dale.
