By Adam Pagnucco.
The title of this post is what you will soon be calling Delegate Ariana Kelly (D-16), who has announced that she is seeking the State Senate seat being vacated by the Moore administration’s newest hire, Senator Susan Lee. In the press release below, Kelly not only declares her interest in the seat, she also touts her backing by fellow District 16 Delegates Marc Korman and Sara Love. Without competition from her district mates, it’s hard to see how she will not soon be in the Senate.
The real question in District 16 is who will fill Kelly’s House seat and whether any Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) members will try to appoint themselves to it. It’s not a coincidence that MCDCC has so far stalled a move to require its members to resign before seeking an appointment. These vacancies, along with other potential vacancies coming up, have kept the issue of self-appointments as hot as it has been for years.
Kelly’s press release appears below.
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Delegate Ariana Kelly To Seek Appointment to Fill Upcoming District 16 State Senate Vacancy
D16 Delegate Marc Korman and Delegate Sara Love Are Unified in Support of the Fourth Term Delegate’s Appointment to Complete Senator Lee’s Term
The 16th legislative district’s senior Delegate, Ariana Kelly, announced plans to apply for the appointment to succeed Senator Lee, who is expected to step down to join the Moore administration as Secretary of State.
“It is a tremendous honor to represent the people of District 16. In seeking this appointment, I hope to continue Senator Lee’s trailblazing work on behalf of our community, civil rights, social justice and vulnerable people across Maryland” said Kelly.
Delegate Kelly has represented District 16 for twelve years and was just elected to her fourth term with 41,600 votes. She is a third-generation Bethesda resident and a graduate of Walter Johnson High School, where her son Leo is a freshman. Kelly currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, and Chair of the Public Health and Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee. She has also served as Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families (2016-2022), Chair of the Montgomery County Economic Development Committee (2015-2019), and Chair of the Montgomery County House Democratic Caucus (2014- 2018). She is a past president of Women Legislators of Maryland.
Delegate Kelly has sponsored nearly one hundred pieces of legislation that have become law. Her accomplishments include Maryland’s Abortion Care Access Act of 2022, the landmark 2015 Contraceptive Equity Act, and Maryland’s Parental Leave Act, as well as numerous pieces of legislation expanding access to affordable childcare. She has also worked on health insurance reforms including the network adequacy law, coverage for autism treatment, and legislation to support and invest in the healthcare workforce.
“I hope to earn the recommendation of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. I will encourage members to consider my experience representing District 16, my successful legislative track record, and my established voting history. I have strong relationships with my constituents and I can hit the ground running in the Senate. I was recently elected a fourth time to represent our community in Annapolis. In the November election I earned 41,600 votes, more votes than any other Delegate candidate in Montgomery County” added Kelly.
“Ariana is going to make a terrific Senator,” said her District 16 colleague Majority Leader Marc Korman. “During the height of COVID, Ariana worked tirelessly to provide our district and community with information and answers to questions about public health and vaccine access. She will bring that same knowledge, expertise and dedication to her work in the Senate on behalf of our district.”
“I am proud to join Marc in supporting Ariana for the Senate vacancy in District 16. She has been an amazing teammate and leader on the issues that are important to District 16. Whether the issue is education, the environment, health care or civil rights, we can count on Ariana to represent the values of our district in the Senate,” said Delegate Sara Love.
Delegate Ariana Kelly is also supported for the appointment by both members of the Montgomery County Council representing District 16.
“Ariana is the best choice to fill the upcoming District 16 Senate vacancy. She’s hard working, a creative problem-solver, and a team player. The County Council needs partners like Ariana in the state Senate who have a track record of working collaboratively to meet the needs of our community,” said Montgomery County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson (District 1).
Councilmember Kate Stewart (District 4) agrees, “Ariana has more than a decade of experience effectively representing our community in Annapolis. With Senator Lee moving on to this exciting new opportunity, Ariana is the perfect choice to fill this Senate vacancy. I endorse her wholeheartedly.”
The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is expected to make a recommendation for appointment to the Governor within 30 days of Senator Lee’s official departure from the Senate.
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