The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee selected FGCB Alumni Del. Alonzo Washington on Saturday to fill a vacant seat in the Maryland Senate.
Maryland Democratic Central Committee Nomination.
Washington, 39, was the only person who came before the committee to seek the vacant seat. He will serve the remaining four-year term after all 188 legislator seats in both chambers were up in the November election.
“I want to thank everybody that came here today. I look forward to really working with all of you,” Washington, joined by his wife and their one-month daughter, said to dozens of supporters at the Glenarden Municipal Center.
Washington, who was first appointed to the House in December 2012, represents District 22 in the Hyattsville area. He replaces outgoing Sen. Paul Pinksy (D), who Moore selected to head the Maryland Energy Administration.
Washington stepped down as CASA in Action’s first executive director and organized and led various get-out-vote efforts throughout Maryland and other parts of the country.
He’s also known as an education advocate. He served four years on the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, which sought to reexamine and reform the state’s public school system. The recommendations from the commission, also called the Kirwan Commission, are part of the multi-billion-dollar Blueprint for Maryland Future’s education reform plan.
“I’ve recognized his character, which always stood out to me. That’s important when you’re talking about leadership,” said Joe Fisher, who founded the First Generation College Bound program and spoke on Washington’s behalf. “He’s resilient, honest, he has integrity, and he’s passionate for the people. He’s impacted not only in this district, Prince George’s County, but the entire state.”
Joe Fisher, right, speaks on behalf of Del. Alonzo Washington during a Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee meeting on Jan. 21. Patricia Parker, center, listens. Photo by William J. Ford.
Once Washington’s appointment is finalized, the county’s central committee must schedule another meeting to select a person to replace him in the House of Delegates.
House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) would also have to find a new vice chair for the House Ways and Means Committee, a position Washington currently holds.
If Washington is appointed, he would tentatively serve on the Judicial Proceedings Committee, filling a vacancy on that panel left by former Sen. Susan Lee (D-Montgomery), a senior member on the committee who Moore appointed as secretary of state.
Washington’s replacement in the House would serve Dels. Nicole Williams (D) and Anne Healey (D), representing the district.
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