Melony G. Griffith

Melony Ghee Griffith (born June 5, 1963) is an American politician who serves as a member of the Maryland Senate, representing District 25 in Prince George's County since 2019, and serving as president pro tempore from 2020 to 2023. She previously served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2015.

Melony Griffith
Griffith in 2022
President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate
In office
January 8, 2020 – January 11, 2023
Preceded byKatherine A. Klausmeier
Succeeded byMalcolm Augustine
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 25th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byUlysses Currie
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 25th district
In office
January 13, 1999 – January 14, 2015
Preceded byMichael Crumlin
Succeeded byDarryl Barnes
Personal details
Born
Melony Ghee

(1963-06-05) June 5, 1963
Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationMontana State University, Billings (BS)
Howard University (MSW)

Early life and education

Melony Ghee was born on June 5, 1963, in Abilene, Texas,[1] to father Frank F. Ghee Jr., and mother Mary E. Ghee.[2] She grew up as a military brat in Montana[3] and graduated from Charles M. Russell High School. She later attended Eastern Montana College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, criminology and rehabilitation in 1985. In 1987, she graduated from Howard University with a Master of Social Work degree.[1]

Career

After graduating from Howard, Griffith worked as a clinical social worker. From 1992 to 1993, she worked as a project coordinator for the National Basketball Players Association's Health Education Project at the Johns Hopkins University. She later served as a senior program officer for the Academy for Educational Development from 1998 to 2004, afterwards working in various positions for the Prince George's County Health Department until 2009.[1]

Griffith first got involved in politics in 1996, running as a write-in candidate for the Prince George's County Board of Education in District 7.[4]

Maryland House of Delegates

Griffith was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 13, 1999. She was a member of the Judiciary Committee until 2002, afterwards serving on the Appropriations Committee until she left the legislature in 2015.[1] During her tenure, Griffith gained a reputation as a policy wonk, especially in health care policy.[5]

In 2000, Griffith served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Al Gore.[1]

Elections
2014

On October 15, 2013, Griffith announced that she would run for the Maryland Senate in District 25, challenging incumbent state senator Ulysses Currie. Currie was seen as a vulnerable candidate following his federal corruption trial, in which he was acquitted after arguing that his conducts violated Senate ethics rules rather than federal laws, and subsequent censure.[6]

The Democratic primary was seen as the most competitive election in the district since Currie's election in 1994, with the Prince George's County establishment backing Currie and area newspapers backing Griffith.[3] Griffith ran on a platform focusing on economic development, jobs, education, and public safety,[7] and ran a "nice" campaign against Currie, whom she considered a friend, by not mentioning his corruption charges to voters. Currie enjoyed a significant fundraising advantage over Griffith, having almost three times the cash on hand as her.[8]

Griffith was defeated by Currie in the Democratic primary in June 2014, receiving 37.7 percent of the vote to Currie's 58.7 percent.[9]

2018

In November 2016, after state senator Ulysses Currie announced he would resign from the Maryland Senate, Griffith applied to serve the remainder of his term in the Maryland Senate.[10] However, Currie rescinded his resignation later in the month a few days before it was sent to go into effect, citing the "political fighting" over the selection of his replacement.[11]

In June 2017, after Currie announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018, Griffith announced that she would again run for the Maryland Senate in District 25.[5] She received support from the Prince George's County establishment in her run against state delegate Angela Angel,[12][13] whom she defeated in the Democratic primary with 55 percent of the vote.[14]

Tenure
Griffith served as the chair of the Finance Committee in 2023.

Griffith was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019. She was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee from 2019 to 2022, afterwards serving as the chair of the Finance Committee.[1]

In January 2020, Griffith was elected by the Maryland Senate to serve as president pro tempore, making her the first African American woman to have the role.[15] She stepped down as president pro tempore in 2023.[16]

During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Griffith supported Joe Biden and served as a co-chair of the Maryland Women for Biden group, alongside Adrienne A. Jones, Angela Alsobrooks, and Yvette Lewis.[17]

Griffith, Governor Larry Hogan and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones enacting law in 2022

In April 2022, Griffith signed 103 Maryland measures into law together with Republican Governor Larry Hogan and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. It was the first time that two Black women had taken part in such a ceremony as Maryland's presiding officers. Jones represented the house while Griffiths as the President pro tem represented the Maryland Senate.[18]

On October 6, 2023, Griffith announced that she would resign from the Maryland Senate at the end of the month to become the head of the Maryland Hospital Association.[19] She will the organization's fifth president, as well as the first African American woman to hold the position.[20]

Personal life

Griffith has two children[1] and has lived in Suitland, Maryland since 2002.[21]

In May 1999, Jeb Bello, a maître d'hôtel at the Treaty of Paris restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland, filed a lawsuit against Griffith, asking for $3.1 million in damages and alleging that she defamed him by portraying him as "a bigot and a racist" for seating a white couple before her and a Black companion, which culminated into a campaign that prevented him from finding another job in Annapolis.[22] The case was settled out of court in January 2001.[23]

Political positions

Education

During the 2019 legislative session, Griffith introduced legislation requiring schools to include curriculum on abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.[24]

Healthcare

Griffith chaired a work group to develop House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones' "Black agenda", which included proposals to extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant women until 12 months postpartum.[25]

During the 2023 legislative session, Griffith said she supported a bill to allow non-citizens to enroll in health insurance programs, calling it a "first good step".[26]

Gun control

During the 2013 legislative session, Griffith voted for the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[27]

Minimum wage

During the 2023 legislative session, during a committee hearing on the Fair Wage Act, a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour by October 2023 and indexed future increases to inflation, Griffith supported an amendment to the bill delaying the increase to 2024 and removing provisions indexing it to inflation.[28]

Redistricting

In October 2011, ahead of the special legislative session to redraw Maryland's congressional districts, Griffith expressed disappointment with the failed Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland pressure campaign toward Governor Martin O'Malley to draw a map that considered "specific issued raised by the caucus".[29]

Social issues

In 2001, Griffith voted for a bill to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.[30] During the 2006 legislative session, she voted against overturning a committee decision to kill a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Maryland.[31] In December 2011, Griffith said she opposed the Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.[32]

During the 2007 legislative session, Griffith voted for a bill creating a referendum to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland.[33] In February 2012, she said she opposed a plan to build a casino in National Harbor, Maryland, noting that Prince George's County voted against slots in the 2008 referendum[34] and saying that she preferred "other forms" of economic development for the county.[35]

Taxes

During the 2011 legislative session, Griffith voted for a bill to increase state fees on state identity documents to fund transportation and education budgets.[36] In 2012, she voted against a bill allowing the Prince George's County Executive to impose a five cent fee on paper bags in stores.[37] In 2013, Griffith voted for a bill to index the gas tax to inflation to pay for state transportation projects.[38]

Electoral history
Maryland House of Delegates District 25 Democratic primary election, 1998[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) 4,782 22.0
Democratic Melony G. Griffith 4,757 21.9
Democratic Anthony G. Brown 4,346 20.0
Democratic Marva Jo Camp 4,191 19.3
Democratic Brenda B. Hughes (incumbent) 3,102 14.3
Democratic Cheyenne R. Watson 521 2.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 25 election, 1998[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony G. Brown 20,660 33.6
Democratic Melony G. Griffith 20,595 33.5
Democratic Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) 20,262 32.9
Maryland House of Delegates District 25 election, 2002[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony G. Brown (incumbent) 21,350 34.9
Democratic Melony G. Griffith (incumbent) 20,163 33.0
Democratic Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) 19,585 32.0
Write-in 69 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 25 election, 2006[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aisha Braveboy 22,632 32.6
Democratic Melony G. Griffith (incumbent) 21,584 31.1
Democratic Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) 21,540 31.1
Republican Patrick A. Schaeffer Jr. 2,541 3.7
Green David Kiasi 999 1.4
Write-in 62 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 25 election, 2010[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aisha Braveboy (incumbent) 27,804 35.3
Democratic Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) 25,723 32.6
Democratic Melony G. Griffith (incumbent) 25,095 31.8
Write-in 173 0.2
Maryland Senate District 25 election, 2014[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ulysses Currie (incumbent) 8,173 58.7
Democratic Melony G. Griffith 5,253 37.7
Democratic Terry Goolsby 503 3.6
Maryland Senate District 25 Democratic primary election, 2018[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melony Griffith 10,939 55.0
Democratic Angela Angel 7,320 36.8
Democratic Jonathan Edward Rosero 1,641 8.2
Maryland Senate District 25 election, 2018[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melony Griffith 44,390 99.4
Write-in 253 0.6
Maryland Senate District 25 election, 2022[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melony Griffith (incumbent) 35,953 99.4
Write-in 200 0.6

References
  1. "Melony G. Griffith, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  2. "Crickett Ghee Clayton Obituary". O'Connor Funeral Home. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  3. Hernández, Arelis R. (June 19, 2014). "Close race emerging as Griffith challenges Currie for Md. Senate seat in District 25". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  4. Frazier, Lisa (November 2, 1996). "In Pr. George's school race, an unlikely favorite". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  5. Hernández, Arelis R. (June 6, 2017). "Former delegate Griffith announces bid to succeed longtime Maryland senator". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  6. Dresser, Michael (October 2, 2013). "Currie, censured in 2012, gets Senate challenge". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  7. Wagner, John (October 2, 2013). "Griffith to announce bid for Maryland Senate seat held by Currie in Prince George's district". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  8. Broadwater, Luke (April 19, 2014). "After censure, Currie faces rare primary challenge". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  9. Kunkle, Fredrick (June 25, 2014). "Md. Senate minority leader David Brinkley ousted; most other veteran lawmakers survive". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  10. Wiggins, Ovetta (November 14, 2016). "Maryland Senate has three open seats — and lots of would-be senators". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  11. Wiggins, Ovetta (November 29, 2016). "Maryland state Sen. Ulysses Currie rescinds resignation". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  12. Wiggins, Ovetta (June 23, 2018). "State House primary races in Maryland show progressive discontent". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  13. Kurtz, Josh (September 26, 2017). "Melony Griffith Forms Ticket With Dels. Davis and Barnes in Prince George's". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  14. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  15. Cox, Erin; Wiggins, Ovetta (January 8, 2020). "Maryland General Assembly launches new era with Jones, Ferguson in top posts". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  16. Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (January 11, 2023). "As Maryland lawmakers start 2023 legislative session in Annapolis, Wes Moore pledges filling vacant state positions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  17. Kurtz, Josh (May 13, 2020). "Biden Campaign Unveils Md. Women's Group". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  18. "Hogan signs bills on public safety, tax credit for jobs, more". The Daily Record. Associated Press. April 21, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  19. Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P. (October 6, 2023). "Sen. Griffith resigning to take over Md. Hospital Association". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  20. Janesch, Sam (October 6, 2023). "Maryland Hospital Association names state Sen. Melony Griffith as new CEO". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  21. Loria, Michael (August 18, 2021). "Roomy houses, lots of amenities in the Prince George's community of Perrywood". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  22. Morley, Jefferson (July 20, 1999). "Waiter's Case Puts Race on the Table". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  23. Schwartzman, Paul (January 20, 2001). "Case Settled, Anger Lingers". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  24. Kurtz, Josh (February 8, 2019). "GOP: Pinsky's 'Schoolhouse Steps' Remarks Conjure Up Image of Southern Racists". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  25. Wiggins, Ovetta (January 19, 2021). "Maryland House speaker to unveil a 'Black agenda' focused on health, wealth, homeownership". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  26. Gaskill, Hannah (April 7, 2023). "'We're not moving': Protesters calling for health care access for immigrants arrested at Maryland State House". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  27. Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  28. Janesch, Sam (March 10, 2023). "Maryland senators put the brakes on Gov. Wes Moore's plans to link minimum wage with inflation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  29. Fritze, John; Linskey, Annie (October 15, 2011). "O'Malley unveils proposed congressional map". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  30. Barker, Jeff (March 31, 2001). "House OKs gay rights legislation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  31. "How the Area's Delegates Voted". The Washington Post. February 4, 2006. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  32. Spivack, Miranda S. (December 25, 2011). "Pr. George's looks for new revenue". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  33. Drew, James; Smitherman, Laura (November 17, 2007). "House OKs slots plan by 2 votes". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  34. Spivack, Miranda S. (February 16, 2012). "Casino plan for Natl. Harbor in Prince George's prompts concerns". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  35. Wagner, John (June 20, 2012). "Bid for Prince George's casino collapses". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  36. "How the House voted on fees". The Baltimore Sun. April 2, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  37. Spivack, Miranda S. (March 25, 2012). "Bag fee dead in Prince George's". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  38. Wagner, John (March 22, 2013). "How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  39. "1998 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  40. "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  41. "2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  42. "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 25". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  43. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  44. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  45. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  46. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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