Wed. Jan 15th, 2025

Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) outside her Capitol Hill office on Jan. 3, 2025, shortly before being sworn in to the 119th Congress. (Photo by Steve Crane/Maryland Matters)

It took more than 10 days after they were sworn into office, but all four freshmen in Maryland’s congressional delegation finally know what committees they will be serving on for the 119th Congress.

Because the Senate moves at a different pace, freshman Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) has known since before the new Congress was sworn in on Jan. 3 which committees would be on. But the House is a different beast, and the three Maryland newcomers there, all Democrats, only announced their committee assignments Tuesday.

Alsobrooks, the former Prince George’s County executive was named to the Special Committee on Aging and to the committees on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

In the House, 6th District Rep. April McClain Delaney was named to the committees on Agriculture and on Science, Space and Technology; 3rd District Rep. Sarah K. Elfreth was named to the Armed Services and Natural Resources committees; and 2nd District Rep. Johnny Olszewski Jr. landed on the Foreign Affairs and the Small Business Committee.

It’s not the same level of drama that accompanied the move by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th) in December to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, but both Olszewski and McClain Delaney said in prepared statements that they were pleased with their assignments. Elfreth did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

“I am honored to serve on the Agriculture and Science, Space & Technology Committees for the 119th Congress,” said McClain Delaney, pointing to the 3,500 farms and the tech businesses that are part of her sprawling Western Maryland district.

The new members have already staffed up their offices after being sworn in Jan. 3.

Kitchin sinks into county executive race

Democrat James Kitchin announced Tuesday that he is joining the 2026 race to replace his boss, term-limited County Executive Steuart Pittman (D).

Need to get in touch?

Have a news tip?

“I am running for County Executive because I believe we need to elevate community voices in our decision making, and to do that we must get big monied interests out of our elections,” Kitchin said in a statement. “That is the only way we will ensure this county remains a place where both current residents and future generations can thrive.”

For the past six years Kitchin, a former teacher, has served on the senior management team in the Pittman administration.

He will be the first candidate in Anne Arundel County history to run for county executive using the county’s new public campaign finance option. The voluntary system, passed by the County Council in 2023, allows candidates to fund campaigns with public matching dollars if they limit their fundraising to contributions of $250 or less, do not take contributions from special interest groups and meet certain minimum standards of grassroots support.

County Councilmember Allison Pickard (D) entered the county executive race last month, and Councilmember Pete Smith (D) is also contemplating a run. On the Republican side, former Councilmember Jessica Haire, who unsuccessfully challenged Pittman in 2022, is considering another run.

Kitchin plans to kick off his campaign with an announcement event on Feb. 8 at the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department’s Training Center in Gambrills. Pittman and County Councilmember Lisa Rodvien (D) are among the community leaders expected to attend.

Prince George’s candidate forum scheduled

Prince George’s County voters who want to know who’s running in this year’s crowded special election for county executive can see and hear the candidates in person next month.

The event is being sponsored by the D9 Coalition for Civic Engagement. Eight of the announced 12 candidates for the seat have said they will appear at the Feb. 17 forum at High Calling Ministries in Upper Marlboro. They include seven Democrats and one Republican, Jonathan White.

The Democrats who have committed so far are former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, At-Large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey and state Sen. Alonzo Washington, Ron Hunt and Tonya Sweat.

The county executive seat became open after Alsobrooks resigned last month to take a seat in the U.S. Senate after her victory in the November general election. County Chief Administrative Officer Tara H. Jackson is serving as acting county executive in the interim, but has said she doesn’t plan to seek the position permanently.

The out of towners

Spotted outside the State House on a chilly Tuesday morning: Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and his son, Dante de Blasio.

The ex-mayor and 2020 presidential candidate said he came to Annapolis to visit his old friend, Gov. Wes Moore (D). Moore headed the New York-based Robin Hood Foundation for a chunk of the time de Blasio was mayor, and de Blasio said the organization helped him develop a criminal justice reform plan while he was in office.

“We’re thrilled with what we see,” the former mayor said of Moore’s time as governor.

Dante de Blasio famously cut a TV ad for his dad that was considered pivotal to his fortunes in the 2013 Democratic primary for mayor. In that ad, the younger de Blasio, then just 15, extolled his father’s resume and positions on a variety of issues, and concluded, “I’d say that even if he weren’t my dad.”

Moore, in a brief interview Tuesday, said he didn’t recognize the ex-mayor’s son without his Afro, but said he enjoyed catching up with father and son.

“It was good to see them,” he said.

As the Annapolis lobbying world turns

One of Annapolis’ top lobbying shops has a new partner.

The firm Manis, Canning & Associates announced Tuesday that Andrea Mansfield, who has worked there for 10 years, is becoming a partner.

Prior to joining the firm, Mansfield was legislative director for the Maryland Association of Counties and also held jobs for three different gubernatorial administrations. She becomes the fourth partner at Manis, Canning, along with Managing Partner Nick Manis and partners Joseph C. Bryce and John Favazza.

“This milestone is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the exceptional talent she brings to our team every day,” Manis said in a statement. “Her leadership and commitment have been, and will continue to be, integral to our success.”

Guthrie lawsuit dismissed, appeal filed

A former Harford County Councilman is appealing a ruling issued Tuesday that dismissed his effort to regain his former seat.

Harford County Circuit Court Judge Yolanda L. Curtin Tuesday issued a two-page order dismissing a lawsuit by Dion Guthrie. The Democrat filed suit in November after he was removed from office following a nolo contendere plea in a felony theft case.

Doug Gansler, a former Maryland attorney general who represents Guthrie, said he filed a notice of appeal soon after Curtin issued her decision. He said he will ask the Supreme Court of Maryland on Wednesday to take the case and expedite a hearing.

Guthrie entered a plea as part of a deal in a case in Baltimore County.

Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti issued a statement soon after, announcing that the plea triggered a provision in the Maryland Constitution that removed Guthrie from office “by operation of law.” Guthrie’s removal was immediate and automatic and required no action by the council, Vincenti said at the time.

Gansler, in an interview Tuesday, maintained Guthrie was illegally removed because the judge in the Baltimore County case set aside the plea as he entered a sentence of probation before judgement.