Senate Finance Committee Chair Delores G. Kelley announced that she will not run for re-election next year. She intends to complete her four-year term that concludes in January 2023. Senator Kelley is one of the longest-serving members of the Maryland State Senate.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Senator Kelley hopes to mentor more young people in politics following her departure from the legislature. She was one of the people that encouraged Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones to run for office in the late 1990s. Senator Kelley was also instrumental in convincing Senate President Bill Ferguson to assume the position after Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. stepped down. According to Maryland Matters, Senate President Ferguson said:
“I have never met somebody who has had the desire to be an exceptional public servant more than her. She cares deeply about the job, about doing it right, about showing up, about giving her absolute best.”
“I would not be in this role but for Delores Kelley pushing me to first consider it, and then, more importantly, to make the decision to do it,” Ferguson said. “I’m terribly sad that she’s not going to be running again.”
Although she is planning to retire from the General Assembly, Senator Kelley plans to still remain active in politics. Senator Kelley is reported by Maryland Matters as saying,
“I feel blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to serve the people of Maryland in many different ways. I’ve always been on boards and commissions — so I’ll probably ask to serve on something where I can still do some good. There are many ways to serve.”
“As long as I’m here, I’m going to work hard.”
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