Photo Courtesy of the Office of Governor Moore
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the first woman and first Black legislator to lead the chamber, has announced she will step down before the 2026 legislative session. Speaker Jones has been a steady and historic presence in Annapolis for nearly three decades, and her departure marks the end of a significant era for the House of Delegates.
Speaker Jones’ career has been shaped by quiet influence and consistent service. She entered the legislature in 1997 and quickly established herself as a thoughtful and collaborative lawmaker. Over the years she became a trusted member of leadership, serving 17 years as Speaker Pro Tem under Speaker Michael E. Busch and chairing the Appropriations Committee’s capital budget subcommittee. When Speaker Busch passed away in 2019, she emerged as the candidate capable of unifying the Democratic Caucus. Speaker Jones was elected unanimously in a brief special session, making history.
As Speaker, Jones adopted a leadership style that empowered committee chairs and gave members broad authority over their work. Her tenure included consequential policy achievements, from securing historic investments in public K-12 and higher education to advancing equity measures to ensure all Marylanders have a seat at the table. She also played a central role in the effort to enshrine the right to abortion in the Maryland Constitution, continuing a priority championed by Speaker Busch. Her first year leading the House coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and she guided the chamber through a truncated session and an unprecedented period of legislative adaptation.
Speaker Jones leaves a lasting imprint on Maryland’s legislative history. Her leadership broke barriers, her approach shaped the culture of the chamber, and her decades of service advanced equity and opportunity across the state. The House will now begin the process of preparing for new leadership, but the legacy of Speaker Jones’ grounded, historic, and deeply influential impact will continue to shape the institution long after her departure. Manis, Canning & Associates sincerely thank Speaker Jones for her leadership and commitment to serving the citizens of Maryland.
