Adrienne A. Jones

Adrienne Jones
107th Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
Incumbent
Assumed office April 7, 2019 Acting: April 7, 2019 – May 1, 2019
Preceded by	Michael E. Busch
Speaker pro tempore of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office January 8, 2003 – May 1, 2019
Preceded by	Tom Dewberry
Succeeded by	Sheree Sample-Hughes
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 10th district
Incumbent
Assumed office October 21, 1997
Preceded by	Joan Parker
Personal details
Born	(1954-11-20) November 20, 1954 Cowdensville, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Education	University of Maryland, Baltimore County (BA)

Adrienne A. Jones (born November 20, 1954) is the current Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, the first African-American and the first woman to serve in that position in Maryland. Initially appointed by Governor Parris Glendening to fill the vacancy created by the death of Delegate Joan Neverdonn Parker in 1997, she won multiple subsequent elections to the House. In a special session on May 1, 2019, Del. Jones emerged as the compromise candidate to become the Speaker after an earlier vote had resulted in a split decision between Delegates Maggie McIntosh and Dereck Davis.

Background

Born in Cowdensville, Maryland, an historic African-American community located near Arbutus, in Southwest Baltimore County, Delegate Jones attended Baltimore County public schools. She graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a B.A. in psychology in 1976. She has served as the Director of the Office of Minority Affairs in Baltimore County (1989–95) and is the Executive Director of the Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs in Baltimore County.

In the Legislature

Delegate Jones has been a member of House of Delegates since October 21, 1997, representing District 10. In addition to being Speaker Pro Tem, she is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and its public safety & administration subcommittee. She also provides leadership through the Legislative Policy, Spending Affordability, Rules and Executive Nominations and Legislative Ethics Committees. She is also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

Legislative notes

• Voted for Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154)
• Voted against slot machines in 2005 (HB1361)
• Voted for income tax reduction in 1998 (SB750)
• Voted in favor of Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)

Election as Speaker

Delegate Jones took over as Acting Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates on April 7, 2019, following the death of then-Speaker Michael Busch. On May 1, the House of Delegates unanimously elected Delegate Jones as Speaker of the House by a vote of 139-0, after Delegates Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore City) and Dereck Davis (D-Prince George's County) bowed out of the Speaker's race in favor of Jones. Jones is both the first female and first African-American speaker in Maryland state history.

2006 General Election results, District 10

Voters to choose three:

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
Emmett C. Burns, Jr.	29,140	34.2%	Won
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam	28,544	33.5%	Won
Adrienne A. Jones	27,064	31.8%	Won
Other Write-Ins	370	0.4%