March 31, 2026

Maryland Matters

by William J. Ford

Jones return for the rest of the session remains unclear, but Benson said she plans to return to the job

Two of the state’s most respected legislators, who have been absent for almost the entire 2026 legislative session so far, returned Monday to be showered with praise and affection.

Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) were joined by Maryland native and groundbreaking former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the first woman to hold the post, to receive the First Citizen Award. The award is bestowed by the Senate president for those “who have been dedicated and effective participants in the process of making government work for the benefit of all.”

State Archivist Elaine Rice Bachmann read summaries about the work of Benson, a 35-year veteran of the General Assembly and the informal dean of the Senate, and Jones, the first woman and first Black legislator to serve as speaker of the House before stepping down last fall.

Bachmann said Pelosi, Benson and Jones collectively represent more than 100 years in elected office. Pelosi turned 86 on Thursday, Benson turned 85 this month and Jones is 71. None of them are seeking reelection this year.

Jones spoke for less than a minute from the dais and thanked Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) for the award.

“I love the work that we have done for the people throughout the state,” she said to the Senate. “This is what I always tell people: Continue to be you and you can’t go wrong. Thank you.”

After she received praise from several senators, Jones walked over to the House chamber and sat in the balcony.

“It is something to be recognized,” Jones said to a reporter while leaving from the House chamber.

Until Monday, Jones had only been in attendance for three of the 75 days of the session so far, her absence excused for medical reasons, according to current House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk’s office. It was unclear if Jones will return for the remainder of the session that ends April 13.

Jones’ departure means one of the three District 10 seats is vacant. Current District 10 Dels. Jennifer White Holland and N. Scott Phillips, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, are seeking reelection, and will be joined by four other Democrats in the June 23 primary: Michael Tyrone Brown Sr., Robin Harvey, T. George Newton and former Del. Jay Jalisi.

Benson, the Senate majority whip, sat in her regular seat on the Senate floor Monday next to House Majority Leader Nancy King (D-Montgomery) and voted on a few bills, including Senate Bill 282, the final version of the fiscal 2027 budget.

Before she voted, Benson, was escorted to the president’s rostrum and spoke for about 10 minutes.

She told her colleagues and visitors in the Senate chamber that her two siblings died – her younger sister on Oct. 30 and her second oldest sister about two days later. She’s now the only living sibling.

Benson also said she had major surgery.

In an interview after the two-hour Senate session, Benson said she needed surgery on her aorta, the largest artery in the body, that allows blood to flow from the heart to rest of the body.

“I’m feeling wonderful,” Benson said with a smile Monday night. “We are so fortunate to have some of the best and the brightest doctors who keeps up with modern technology. That’s really has been the saving grace.”

She said she has not decided whom to support in the June 23 Democratic primary to succeed her in the 24th District i Prince George’s County. Current District 24 Del. Tiffany Alston and real estate broker Kevin Ford Jr. are running for the seat.

“Got to come with a track record. Not putting up with no foolishness,” Benson said of the candidate she might support. “They’ve got to be sure that they zero in on children. The senior citizens, the homeless … they can’t leave them out. I’m going to be watching very carefully.”

Besides being showered with affection from colleagues walking to her desk smiling and happy to see her, Benson was asked one major question Monday night.

“You coming tomorrow?” asked Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery).

“Yes!” Benson replied.

“That’s great! I’m tired of seeing that empty space up there,” Kagan said while pointing to the vote tally board.