In a surprising turn of events, Del. Adrienne Jones was elected speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, making her the first woman and the first African American elected to the position. News4’s Tracee Wilkins reports.
For the first time in 17 years, the Maryland General Assembly will be led by two presiding officers who aren't white men over 55 named Mike.
On Wednesday, 36-year-old Baltimore Democratic Sen. Bill Ferguson will be elected Senate president. He will be the first new Senate president in more than three decades.
The vote by the chamber's 47 senators will come after a historic year in the House of Delegates. Its 141 members elected Adrienne Jones to be the first black official and first woman to win the powerful office.
Maryland General Assembly Leadership
Jones has taken the place of Michael Busch, the longest-serving speaker in the state's history. Busch died in April.
