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Shaneka Henson

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Shaneka Henson
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 30A district
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 16, 2019
Serving with Dana Jones
Appointed byLarry Hogan
Preceded byMichael E. Busch
Member of the Annapolis City Council from the 6th ward
In office
December 4, 2017 – April 29, 2019
Preceded byKenny Kirby
Succeeded byDaJuan Gay
Personal details
Born
Shaneka Tarae Henson

(1983-07-29) July 29, 1983 (age 41)
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLucas Johnson
Children1
EducationCoppin State University (BS)
University of Baltimore (JD)
ProfessionAttorney

Shaneka Tarae Johnson (née Henson; born July 29, 1983) is an American politician and attorney who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 30A since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as an alderwoman on the Annapolis City Council from 2017 to 2019.

Background

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Shaneka Tarae Henson[1] was born in Annapolis, Maryland,[2] on July 29, 1983.[3] Her mother, Terry, and her father were both pastors at the New Life Presbyterian Church in Annapolis for fifteen years.[4] Henson graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and the University of Baltimore with a Juris Doctor degree. Henson was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2010,[3] after which she worked as a practicing attorney for the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's office and the YWCA. In 2020, she started her own law firm, Johnson Legal Group LLC.[1]

In 2016, Henson graduated from a training course hosted by Emerge Maryland, an organization created to prepare potential female Democratic candidates for public office.[5]

Political career

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Annapolis City Council

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Henson at her inauguration, 2017

In 2016, Henson filed to run for the Annapolis City Council in ward 6, challenging incumbent Alderman Kenny Kirby,[2] who later announced his retirement. In the Democratic primary, she faced challenger DaJuan Gay,[6] whom she defeated with 67.8 percent of the vote.[7] Henson ran unopposed in the general election,[6] and was sworn in on December 4, 2017.[8]

In October 2018, Annapolis mayor Gavin Buckley named Henson to serve as acting mayor for two weeks.[9]

Henson resigned from the city council on April 29, 2019, after the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee nominated her to the Maryland House of Delegates.[10] She was succeeded by DaJuan Gay following a special election to fill her seat.[11]

Maryland General Assembly

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In April 2019, following the death of House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Henson applied to serve the remainder of his term in the Maryland House of Delegates.[12] The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee voted 11-1 to nominate her to fill the vacancy.[4] Governor Larry Hogan appointed her to the seat on May 6,[13] and she was sworn in on May 16.[14] She is the first African-American woman to represent Annapolis in the Maryland General Assembly.[1] Henson was elected to a full four-year term in 2022.[15]

Henson served on the Appropriations Committee from 2019 to 2023,[3] after which she was switched to the Ways and Means Committee after questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest involving Henson's legal work for a nonprofit which received state funding.[16] In April 2024, the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics released a five-page letter condemning Henson's "ongoing practice" to hide her conflicts of interest, recommending to legislative leaders that she not be reassigned to the House Appropriations Committee and calling on her to apologize to the public. Henson released a statement on her website in response to the report that scolded members of the panel for failing to strike a more "collaborative and constructive tone" and contradicted some of the ethics panel's findings.[17]

In November 2024, after state senator Sarah Elfreth won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Henson said she would apply to serve the remainder of Elfreth's term in the Maryland Senate.[18]

Personal life

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Henson is married to her husband, Marcus Johnson.[14] Together, they have a son.[2] She is a Christian.[19]

In May 2016, Henson settled a $1,889 state tax lien that had been placed against her.[20]

Political positions

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Criminal justice

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Henson supports a "holistic approach" toward addressing crime, which includes addressing socioeconomic issues and tackling issues "from the law enforcement perspective".[2]

During the 2020 legislative session, Henson introduced legislation to freeze child support orders of parents serving a prison sentence of six months or longer. The bill passed and became law.[21] She introduced another bill to ease restrictions on when prosecutors could use hearsay evidence in witness intimidation cases.[22]

Education

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Henson supports the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.[23]

Electoral reform

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In July 2020, Henson criticized Governor Larry Hogan requiring voters to apply for a mail-in ballot if they did not want to vote in-person for the 2020 general election, saying that he had "stepped on people's voting rights".[24] During the 2021 legislative session, she introduced legislation to ban guns at polling places[25] and supported a bill requiring the automatic mailing of ballots to all registered voters.[26]

Housing

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During the 2020 legislative session, Henson introduced bills to establish statewide mold inspection standards,[27] which did not receive a vote,[28] and another to close a loophole that allowed Annapolis to avoid responsibility for inspecting its public housing units,[29] which was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[30] In 2021, she introduced legislation to shield a tenant's eviction records from public view if they won an eviction case.[31]

Social issues

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During the 2020 legislative session, Henson supported the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair style and texture.[32]

Henson participated in George Floyd protests in Annapolis,[33] Severn,[34] and Shady Side.[35] In July 2020, she spoke in support of federal legislation to recognize racism as a public health trauma and to make social security income, rental assistance, and Social Security Disability Insurance available to African Americans regardless of age or disability.[36] Later that month, Henson signed onto a letter calling on regional news organizations to increase employee diversity.[37]

During the 2021 legislative session, Henson supported a bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday.[38]

In October 2021, Henson participated in and spoke at a protest in Annapolis to endorse legislation expansion to expand abortion rights in Maryland.[19] However, during the 2022 legislative session, Henson voted against the Abortion Care Access Act, a bill to expand the kinds of health care practitioners that could perform abortions in Maryland and provide $3.5 million to train these professionals on performing the procedure, and voted to uphold Governor Larry Hogan's veto of the bill. In June 2022, on the night following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Henson attended a protest in Annapolis against the court's ruling. During the 2023 legislative session, Henson voted for Question 1, a voter referendum that established a right to reproductive freedom in the Constitution of Maryland.[18]

Taxes

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In February 2021, Henson was the only member of the Anne Arundel County Delegation to vote against a bill providing tax credits to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[39]

During the 2022 legislative session, Henson introduced a bill to add critical medical devices, including thermometers, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure monitors, to the state's sales tax exemptions,[40] which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[41]

Electoral history

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Annapolis City Council Ward 6 Democratic primary election, 2017[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shaneka Henson 227 67.8
Democratic DaJuan Gay 108 32.2
Annapolis City Council Ward 6 election, 2017[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shaneka Henson 426 95.3
Write-in 21 4.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 30A Democratic primary election, 2022[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shaneka Henson (incumbent) 8,665 52.2
Democratic Dana Jones (incumbent) 7,925 47.8
Maryland House of Delegates District 30A election, 2022[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shaneka Henson (incumbent) 20,364 32.1
Democratic Dana Jones (incumbent) 19,710 31.1
Republican Doug Rathell 12,948 20.4
Republican Rob Seyfferth 10,366 16.3
Write-in 66 0.1

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Shaneka Henson". kintehaley.org. The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Cook, Chase (October 8, 2016). "Q&A with Shaneka Henson, Ward 6 candidate". The Capital. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Shaneka T. Henson, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Ohl, Danielle (April 26, 2019). "Shaneka Henson nominated to serve District 30A in Speaker Mike Busch's former seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Broadwater, Luke (December 7, 2016). "Emerge Maryland to train 23 women to run for office". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Cook, Chase (August 1, 2017). "Annapolis Alderman Kirby announces he won't run for re-election". The Capital. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Mayoral Primary Election Official Results". City of Annapolis. September 19, 2017.
  8. ^ "Buckley Sworn In As 137th Mayor of Annapolis". Annapolis, MD Patch. December 4, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  9. ^ DuBose, Brooks (January 28, 2020). "Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley takes emergency leave to be with ailing mother in Australia". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Ohl, Danielle; Cook, Chase (May 6, 2019). "Gov. Hogan approves Speaker Busch's successor; dates set for Annapolis Ward 6 special election". The Capital. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Harris, Naomi (July 8, 2019). "City Council swears in DaJuan Gay as the new Ward 6 alderman". The Capital. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Cook, Chase (April 25, 2019). "14 apply for Mike Busch's House of Delegates seat; committee to decide Thursday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Wood, Pamela (May 6, 2019). "Maryland Gov. Hogan appoints Shaneka Henson to open House of Delegates seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Wood, Pamela (May 16, 2019). "Democrat Shaneka Henson of Annapolis sworn in to fill seat of late Maryland House Speaker Busch". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Munro, Dana (November 17, 2022). "Heather Bagnall takes lead in District 33C race, setting all Anne Arundel assembly incumbents on track to hold seats". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  16. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 3, 2023). "House committees reshuffled as ethics questions arise". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (April 11, 2024). "Legislative ethics panel admonishes Henson for conflict of interest, misuse of official title". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Kurtz, Josh (November 11, 2024). "Elfreth's election to Congress creates showdown to replace her in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Mann, Alex (October 2, 2021). "Hundreds gather in Annapolis to support abortion rights". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Cook, Chase (September 17, 2017). "Candidates in Annapolis elections have a history of immigration, contract and tax issues". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  21. ^ Opilo, Emily (October 1, 2020). "From hairstyles to child support, these are some of the new Maryland laws going into effect Thursday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  22. ^ Prudente, Tim (January 17, 2020). "Baltimore prosecutors are struggling to prove witness intimidation. Marilyn Mosby pushes bill she says will change that". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Mann, Alex (December 8, 2019). "Democrats: Kirwan plan would help programs like Bowen Levy's". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (July 22, 2020). "'This Is Voter Suppression,' Protesters Say of Hogan's Plans for the Fall". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (February 3, 2021). "Disability Rights Groups Seek Equal Access to Ballot through Voting Machine Bill, Lawsuit". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  26. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (February 24, 2021). "Bills Would Expand Ballot Drop-Boxes, Allow Voters to Automatically Receive Absentee Ballots". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  27. ^ DuBose, Brooks; Price, Lilly (March 5, 2020). "Annapolis Del. Shaneka Henson's bill seeks statewide mold inspection, remediation standards". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  28. ^ DuBose, Brooks (June 4, 2020). "Annapolis Housing Authority awarded $725,000 to weatherize half of Robinwood units". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  29. ^ DuBose, Brooks (January 30, 2020). "Annapolis Del. Shaneka Henson introduces bill to close loophole on HACA inspections, licensing". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (May 7, 2020). "Greenlight for resiliency authorities, housing inspections, and liquor board reforms: Hogan signs Anne Arundel legislation into law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  31. ^ DuBose, Brooks (November 17, 2020). "'Take action': Anne Arundel housing advocates, delegates, offer evictions advice and resources at tenant town hall". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  32. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (February 18, 2020). "Maryland lawmakers hear testimony for bill to ban discrimination of black hairstyles". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  33. ^ Oyefusi, Daniel; Oxenden, McKenna (June 7, 2020). "Protests continue Sunday across Baltimore region as demonstrators demand justice for George Floyd, racial equality". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  34. ^ DuBose, Brooks (June 13, 2020). "Anne Arundel black clergy, county police join in prayer walk through Severn". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  35. ^ Mann, Alex (August 14, 2020). "Shady Side protest organizer received angry phone call and comments; Anne Arundel police send officers for protection". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  36. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (July 9, 2020). "Annapolis delegate makes pitch to congressional delegation for federal anti-racism legislation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  37. ^ DuBose, Brooks (July 16, 2020). "Annapolis Black leaders call on regional news media to increase diversity, equity". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Conaway, Donovan (March 29, 2021). "Annapolis plans Juneteenth festival and parade as Maryland inches toward making it a holiday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  39. ^ Sanchez, Olivia (February 12, 2021). "Anne Arundel state delegation votes to support business property tax credits during state of emergency". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  40. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 18, 2022). "House Leaders Unveil Package to Slash Sales Taxes, Expand Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  41. ^ Weiner, Deborah (April 1, 2022). "Several major tax relief bills signed into law in Maryland". WBAL-TV. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  42. ^ "Mayoral General Election Official Results". City of Annapolis. November 7, 2017.
  43. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022.
  44. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.
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