Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson names new key leaders

Tinashe Chingarande, The Baltimore Sun on Oct 29, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BALTIMORE — Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson announced a new leadership team ahead of the 2027 legislative session, naming Sen. Brian Feldman majority leader and promoting several Black lawmakers to senior leadership and committee posts.

A statement from Ferguson office said, “Understanding the need for overarching leadership and strategy, the Senate is redesigning key leadership roles to best position its talents to address the challenges ahead.”

Sen. Brian Feldman, a Montgomery County Democrat, will become the new majority leader and chief of policy. The role has also been expanded to include chairmanship of the Senate Rules and Operations Committee. Feldman, currently chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, was also recently tapped to lead the Senate’s economic development efforts in a new position focused on attracting businesses and creating jobs.

The changes come as lawmakers prepare for a difficult budget year, with a projected multibillion-dollar shortfall expected to shape debate over spending, taxes and fees.

Feldman’s spot on the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee will now go to Sen. Dawn Gile, a Democrat from Anne Arundel County, and Sen. Ben Brooks, a Democrat from Baltimore County, will be her vice chair.

Sen. Mary Washington, a Baltimore City Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, will become the majority whip, a leadership role that includes building support among majority-party senators for legislation.

Sen. Antonio Hayes, a Baltimore City Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, will chair the Senate Finance Committee, which handles policy on economic development, consumer laws and the banking sector, among other issues. Hayes will be the first Black man to chair the Finance Committee, Ferguson said. Sen. Katie Fry Hester, who represents parts of Howard and Montgomery counties, will become vice chair.

Other members of the Legislative Black Caucus receiving new leadership posts include Sen. Cory McCray, a Baltimore City Democrat, who will become vice chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, which plays a key role in shaping the state budget. Sen. Alonzo Washington, a Prince George’s County Democrat, will become chair of the Senate Executive Nominations Committee. The committee reviews gubernatorial nominees who require Senate confirmation.

________