Md. Republicans to make Leadership Changes in House of Delegates

USPA NEWS - Republicans in Maryland's House of Delegates decided Tuesday to hold a special election in April, at which time members would consider replacing their leadership team of Minority Leader Anthony J. O´Donnell (R-Calvert) and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-Talbot).

Several delegates were so passionate about the need for a leadership change that they pushed for the vote to occur immediately at yesterday's caucus meeting. Delegates cite unhappiness with the direction of O´Donnell´s leadership and concern about the party´s prospects in 2014, when members will be running under the new legislative district maps.

They agreed to hold off, however, after hearing concerns from their colleagues about the disruption that could come with a leadership challenge in the middle of the 90-day legislation session. Instead, during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, the Republican delegates agreed to an April 30 vote, three weeks after session ends.

Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. (R-Washington) and Delegate Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County) have both stated their intentions to run for minority leader and minority whip positions at that meeting, Szeliga confirmed in an interview Tuesday. She declined to make any additional comments, saying she considered the caucus deliberations to be “family business.“

Minority Leader O´Donnell, who has survived previous leadership challenges, declined to comment outside the caucus meeting on Tuesday morning, saying “there´s no there there.“

Republicans hold 43 of the 141 seats in the Maryland House of Delegates.

This potential leadership change in the Maryland House of Delegates comes at the same time that the Maryland Republican Party is looking for a new Chair. Former State Senator and current GOP Chairman, Alex Mooney (R-Frederick) announced Saturday he plans to step down and pursue other ventures, after serving nearly 2 years in his position as Chair of the Maryland Republican Party.