By Adam Pagnucco.
District 19 Delegate Bonnie Cullison, who was first elected in 2010 and is a former president of the Montgomery County Education Association, has announced her retirement.
Cullison has been a reliable vote-getter in District 19 for a long time. After finishing second in the 2010 Democratic primary, she finished second in 2014, first in 2018 and second in 2022. She reported a campaign cash balance of $99,103 a couple weeks ago. If she had run again, she would have been a strong favorite to win regardless of who else was running.
And that brings us to one of the bigger mysteries in MoCo politics: why has no one filed to run for General Assembly in District 19? In addition to Cullison, the district is represented by Senator Ben Kramer and Delegates Charlotte Crutchfield and Vaughn Stewart. But as of this writing, the filings of candidacy for both Senate and House are blank.
Cullison’s press release appears below.
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BONNIE CULLISON, WHO WORKED TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND LOWER COSTS, TO LEAVE HOUSE OF DELEGATES AFTER 16 YEARS
For Immediate Release
Annapolis MD, January 23, 2026 – Delegate Bonnie Cullison announced this week that after serving in the Maryland House of Delegates for 16 years, she will not run for re-election in 2026. The Montgomery County Democrat was elected in 2010, after retiring from a career as a speech language pathologist and union leader in Montgomery County Public Schools. A longtime member of the Health and Government Operations Committee, she served as vice chair for the last four years and chair of the Insurance and Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee for eight years.
Delegate Cullison made expanding access to health care and lowering health costs her focus. She sponsored bills that increased the number of school-based health clinics; provided dental care to adults on Medicaid; and assured that health care practitioners can practice to the full scope of their training and experience. She championed the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, the Reinsurance Program for health insurance (which has kept premiums costs in Maryland to less than half the national average), and subsidies to help people ages 26-34 afford health insurance.
Delegate Cullison emphasized her reputation for bringing together people from all sides of an issue to achieve policy goals that help Marylanders. Even with controversial topics – such as access to gender-affirming care – her hallmark was calm, fact-based floor debates.
“I have never stopped being amazed at the energy and civic involvement of the people and the communities that I represent,” Delegate Cullison said. “Over the last four terms, my constituents – all of us – have built something truly remarkable together. But it is time to spend more time with my family and friends and give others the opportunity to serve.”
Delegate Cullison said she has been continually inspired by her constituents’ strong support for oppressed and marginalized people, and the value that voters in District 19 place on diversity. “Each one of us has something to contribute to our society, and when we intentionally seek to bring new people into our community, we build something together that is greater than the sum of its parts,” the Delegate said.
Delegate Cullison said she is grateful to her constituents, her dedicated staff led by Chief of Staff Brigida Krzystofik, and most of all her wife, Marcia. “We met as teachers in Montgomery County, and we’ve been through thick and thin together. I could never have begun to think about going on my journey in public service without her support.”
House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk served along Delegate Cullison for many years on the House Health and Government Operations Committee. “Bonnie Cullison is an amazing human being – so generous with her time, her love, and her support.” the Speaker said. “She is so smart about very complex issues like health insurance. She took on difficult policies and brought everyone to the table. I love her, and she will always be a fixture in my life.”