Adrienne A. Jones, speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, announced Wednesday, May 17, that Del. Dana M. Stein (D-11B) of Baltimore County will be her nominee for the role of speaker pro-tempore when the General Assembly returns to session in January of 2024. The position of speaker pro-tem is elected by the full chamber.
“Dana has been at the center of some of Maryland’s biggest climate and environmental policy victories,” said Jones. “I’m pleased he has agreed to take on a new role with an expanded portfolio as Speaker Pro-Tem.”
The role of speaker pro-tem is to preside over the election of the speaker of the House and administer the House Speaker’s oath of office, as well as to preside over House when the Speaker is away or ill.
The current speaker pro-tem is Del. Sheree L. Sample Hughes (D-37A) of Dorchester and Wicomico counties, who has served in the position since 2019. She succeeded Jones, who served as speaker pro-tem for 17 years.
“I am very excited that Speaker Adrienne Jones has announced that I am her nominee for Speaker Pro-Tem!” Stein posted on social media. “I appreciate the Speaker’s nomination of me and, should I be approved by the House of Delegates, very much look forward to serving as Speaker Pro-Tem. I also look forward to continuing as chair of the Environment Subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation Committee.”
Stein, 64, was first appointed to the General Assembly from 2002 to 2003 and has served continuously since 2007. He is currently the vice chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee.
A Northwest Baltimore County native and 1976 graduate of Milford Mill High School, Stein lives in Pikesville with his wife, Margaret Presley, and their three children. He received his bachelor’s degree in government at Harvard University and law degree from Columbia Law School.
Stein is the founder and executive director of Civic Works, a nonprofit created in 1993 to strengthen Baltimore’s neighborhoods through community service, education and skills development.
Stein’s legislative district includes Pikesville, Owings Mills, Randallstown, Glyndon, Lutherville and Timonium.
Jones also announced that Del. David Moon (D-20th) of Montgomery County will be the House Majority leader, the third most-powerful position in the House. Moon will lead the debate for the Democratic Party on the House floor.
She also named Del. Marc A. Korman (D-16th) of Montgomery County as chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee. He will succeed Del. Kumar P. Barve (D-17th) of Montgomery County, who last month announced he would leave the legislature after being nominated to serve on the Maryland Public Service Commission.
In addition, Del. Mark Edelson (D-46th) of Baltimore City was named vice chair of the House Appropriations Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee.
A committed philanthropist and community leader, Russel was president of R&H Motors.
The mother of four was a native of Winchester, Virginia, who spent most of her life in Northwest Baltimore.
The remaining 6,000 members of the community are expected to immigrate by 2030.
The Columbia resident worked on the Gemini and Apollo space missions.