Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk was elected speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming the first Afro-Latina in the role. She took over on Tuesday after Speaker Adrienne Jones resigned on December 4. Gov. Wes Moore said, "Former Speaker Adrienne Jones leaves big shoes to fill. But I have complete confidence that Joseline Peña-Melnyk will carry forward—and build on—Speaker Jones’ profound legacy of leadership, while also building a legacy of her own," as per WUSA9.
Delegate Peña-Melnyk, originally from the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, became the first college graduate in her family. She worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., before entering state politics. In the legislature, she has worked on increasing the minimum wage, supporting minority-owned businesses, and improving education, as reported by CBS News.
Delegates in the Maryland House voted unanimously in support of Peña-Melnyk. Del. Mary Lehman called her "a friend and mentor," noting Peña-Melnyk’s youth in the Dominican Republic and later immigration to the U.S., according to The Daily Record. Lawmakers are expected to address vetoed legislation when the General Assembly returns to Annapolis on January 14, 2026. Peña-Melnyk is Chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee and works on immigration and social policy issues.
