Friends and Family

Maryland’s system of letting party operatives fill legislative vacancies has led to some recent embarrassments, such as the House Majority Whip’s daughter getting a seat in Annapolis after breaking a 2-2 tie – by voting for herself. (A party leader tried to bar a Brew reporter from that meeting.) It's also led to some big, systemic problems - nearly a quarter of the legislature was not elected by voters, but rather appointed by small committees. Critics say when state politics is dominated by insiders - offspring, spouses, cronies - it's no surprise Maryland has been beset with corruption scandals.

Speaker Jones: Stop blocking a fix for the incestuous system that loads the Maryland legislature with insiders

Small party committees now fill legislative vacancies, resulting in friends-and-family appointments rather than grassroots democracy. Advocates, citizens and even the Maryland Senate want change. [OP-ED]

Both political parties are loading Maryland’s legislature with insiders, but we can stop them

Letting central committees, instead of voters, fill vacancies breeds cronyism and nepotism. That’s why true special elections, the kind held by other states, are needed. [OP-ED]

Another vacant seat – this time Nick Mosby’s – is filled by party insiders

The Maryland Democratic Party taps Marlon Amprey for a seat in Annapolis, using a process that’s a textbook example of the machine politics that reformers have faulted for years.

Friends-and-family approach to filling legislative vacancies in Maryland must end

Shameful 45th District vote illustrates why we should switch to holding special elections and loosen political parties’ tight hold on who goes to Annapolis. [OP-ED]

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Hogan appoints Chanel Branch to Cheryl Glenn’s seat

UPDATED: Two district residents had protested the process, including the exclusion of the media from the selection meeting.

Residents contest selection of Branch to replace Glenn, request re-vote

Letter to the Baltimore Democratic Party chair alleges multiple law and bylaw violations, including excluding the press from the meeting.

Humanim: We did not ask Democrats for a media ban

Amid calls for reform – or a re-do of the vote to replace a disgraced former Baltimore delegate – party leaders aren’t budging.

Reporter booted out of meeting where Chanel Branch is voted in

At a meeting to replace a lawmaker accused of taking bribes, Maryland Democrats exclude the media. Taped up on the door was “No Media No Live Streaming.”