Jheanelle Wilkins
Jheanelle Wilkins | |
---|---|
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 20th district | |
Assumed office January 25, 2017 | |
Appointed by | Larry Hogan |
Preceded by | William C. Smith Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Kingston, Jamaica | May 29, 1988
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Delaware (B.A.) American University (M.P.A.) |
Website | Campaign website |
Jheanelle K. Wilkins (born May 29, 1988) is an American politician who has represented District 20 in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland since 2022.[1]
Early life and education
Wilkins was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to the United States with her family when she was five.[2] She grew up in New Castle, Delaware,[3] where she graduated from William Penn High School and later attended the University of Delaware, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 2009; and American University, where she earned a Master of Public Administration in social policy in 2011.[1]
Career
Early career
Wilkins started as an intern at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in 2008 and has served in various roles, including field assistant, field associate, and field manager. She now serves as the group's Director of State and Local Government Affairs.[1] During her tenure at The Leadership Conference, she has worked to advance immigration reform, education equity, and civil rights legislation, including the Justice Reinvestment Act, which eliminated mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenders in Maryland.[4]
She served on the board of the Montgomery County Association of Black Democrats and was active with the Montgomery County Young Democrats. In 2014, she was elected to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.[2]
Maryland House of Delegates
In December 2016, after state delegate
In 2020, Wilkins ran for convention delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Maryland's 8th congressional district, pledged to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.[10]
In December 2022, Wilkins was elected as the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, succeeding Darryl Barnes.[11] She is the first chair elected from Montgomery County. As Chair, she has led the Caucus in setting a robust agenda for the legislative session focused on 5 priority areas:
- Wealth and Black Businesses
- Health access
- Access to Housing
- Education Equity
- Justice Reform
Committee assignments
- Vice-Chair, Ways and Means Committee, 2023–present (member, 2017–present; education subcommittee, 2017–2020; finance resources subcommittee, 2017–2019; revenues subcommittee, 2019–2020; early childhood subcommittee, 2021–present; chair, election law subcommittee, 2021–present)[1]
- Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2023–present[1]
- Opioid Work Group, 2018[1]
- Parliamentarian, 2020–2023[1]
Political positions
Criminal justice
In August 2018, Wilkins participated in a protest in
In August 2020, Wilkins called on Governor Larry Hogan to fire Arthur "Mac" Love IV, the deputy director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, after he posted memes on Facebook showing support for Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two protesters during the Kenosha unrest. Love was fired on August 29.[14] In April 2021, after Derek Chauvin was sentenced in the murder of George Floyd, Wilkins released a statement calling for an end to police violence.[15] In February 2023, following the killing of Tyre Nichols, she released a statement expressing outrage with Nichols' "heartless" killing.[16]
Education
In October 2012, Wilkins attended a rally at the
During the 2019 legislative session, Wilkins introduced legislation to expand discrimination prohibitions that apply to private schools.[17]
During the 2021 legislative session, Wilkins introduced the "Counselors not Cops Act", which would redirect state funding for school resource officers toward mental health services in schools,[18] and the Police Qualified Immunity and Accountability Act, which would abolish qualified immunity for police officers.[19]
In December 2022, administrators of Maryland's
Housing
During the 2019 legislative session, Wilkins introduced legislation that would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants without providing a "
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland, Wilkins led a letter to Governor Larry Hogan calling on him to cancel rent and mortgage payments for residents and businesses affected by the pandemic.[26] During the 2021 legislative session, she introduced legislation to prevent landlords from raising rent or issuing charges during public health crises.[24]
In 2023, Wilkins introduced legislation to allocate $15 million toward rental assistance vouchers.[27]
Cannabis
In January 2016, Wilkins said she would support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maryland, but said she wanted the state's marijuana industry to reflect the state's diverse population.[4] During the 2023 legislative session, Wilkins said she supported equity provisions in House Bill 556, which established the framework for the state's marijuana industry following the passage of 2022 Maryland Question 4, calling them an "important starting point".[28]
Social issues
In January 2019, Wilkins was one of nine Maryland lawmakers to add their names to a manifesto signed by 326 state legislators to reaffirm their commitment to protecting abortion rights.[29] In 2022, Wilkins said she opposed the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, saying that the ruling would disproportionately affect marginalized people.[30]
During the 2019 legislative session, Wilkins introduced legislation that would require the state to disclose how much it pays prisoners who work while serving prison sentences. The legislation passed and became law.[31]
In March 2020, Wilkins said she supported the CROWN Act, which would ban discrimination based on hairstyle in Maryland.[32]
Taxes
During the 2018 legislative session, Wilkins opposed bills providing
In 2020, Wilkins introduced legislation to provide tax breaks to small businesses affected by the construction of the Purple Line.[35]
During the 2021 legislative session, Wilkins supported legislation to extend the state's earned income tax credit to Individual Taxpayer Identification Number taxpayers.[36]
Voting rights
During the 2021 legislative session, Wilkins introduced legislation that would allow voters to opt into a permanent vote-by-mail list.[37]
During the 2023 legislative session, Wilkins argued against legislation that would create special elections to fill vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly, saying that she felt that candidates of color would struggle to fundraise in special elections and that the central committee nomination process led to more minority candidates serving in the legislature.[38]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Tamika S. Bennett | 6,221 | 40.7 | |
Democratic | Jheanelle Wilkins | 4,970 | 32.5 | |
Democratic | Edward Malcolm Kimmel | 4,109 | 26.9 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David Moon (incumbent) | 13,974 | 28.2 | |
Democratic | Jheanelle Wilkins (incumbent) | 11,960 | 24.1 | |
Democratic | Lorig Charkoudian | 9,256 | 18.7 | |
Democratic | Darian Unger | 7,126 | 14.4 | |
Democratic | Fatmata Barrie | 4,316 | 8.7 | |
Democratic | George Zokle | 1,751 | 3.5 | |
Democratic | Malik Lendzondzo | 1,196 | 2.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David Moon (incumbent) | 38,892 | 35.0 | |
Democratic | Jheanelle Wilkins (incumbent) | 36,750 | 33.1 | |
Democratic | Lorig Charkoudian | 34,749 | 31.3 | |
Write-in | 718 | 0.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David Moon (incumbent) | 31,489 | 33.8 | |
Democratic | Jheanelle Wilkins (incumbent) | 30,862 | 33.1 | |
Democratic | Lorig Charkoudian | 30,130 | 32.3 | |
Write-in | 735 | 0.8 |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Jheanelle K. Wilkins, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Peck, Louis (January 10, 2017). "Montgomery County Democratic Committee Names One of Its Members To Fill District 20 Delegate Vacancy". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Walsh, Susan (October 10, 2012). "Supreme Court takes up affirmative action". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Metcalf, Andrew (January 6, 2017). "Six Candidates Running for District 20 House Seat Make Their Case at Silver Spring Forum". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Peck, Louis (December 27, 2016). "6 Candidates Vying for Appointment to State Delegate Vacancy in District 20". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Rodgers, Bethany (January 24, 2017). "Hogan Confirms Wilkins' Appointment as State Delegate for Silver Spring, Takoma Park". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- The Daily Record. February 28, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Peck, Louis (June 4, 2018). "In Late Move, District 20 Incumbents Tap Activist Lorig Charkoudian To Join Their Slate". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". MoCo360. 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Rodgers, Bethany (August 6, 2018). "Silver Spring Demonstrators Demand Answers in Police Shooting of Unarmed Black Man". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Wright, Charlie (May 14, 2019). "Social Justice Group Rallies Amid Allegations of Police Racial Profiling". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Pamela (August 29, 2020). "Maryland official fired for social media posts defending teen accused in Kenosha killings". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "County leaders react to George Floyd verdict". MoCo360. April 20, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Parker, Luke (February 2, 2023). "In the wake of Tyre Nichols killing, Anne Arundel civil rights leaders call for strengthened police accountability". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Peetz, Caitlynn (February 2, 2021). "County, state lawmakers' battle over school resource officers intensifies". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle (April 24, 2023). "'A broken promise': Maryland college savings plan blocks parents from withdrawing money". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ Russell, Lia (January 20, 2023). "Maryland 529 board chair quits after legislators criticize agency for lack of communication, urgency in fixing issues". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Schere, Dan (November 14, 2018). "Wilkins To Reintroduce Just Cause Bill for Landlords This Session". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Schere, Dan (March 29, 2019). "'Just Cause' Tenant Rights Bill Dead in State Legislature". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Roberts, Angela (December 29, 2020). "Maryland housing advocates, lawmakers discuss bills to reform eviction process, stem housing crisis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Hallie (December 3, 2021). "Maryland Court of Appeals rules in favor of Copycat landlord, saying he can evict without rental license". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Broadwater, Luke (April 30, 2020). "50 Democratic lawmakers call on Hogan to cancel rent and mortgage payments for Marylanders hurt by pandemic". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Bohnel, Steve (February 9, 2023). "Elrich says he'll sign or allow affordable housing co-location feasibility bill to become law without signature". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (February 6, 2023). "The General Assembly takes its first step toward cannabis regulation. Here's what's in the new bill". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Bixby, Ginny (September 1, 2022). "Elrich announces $1 million in grants to abortion services providers". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Knezevich, Alison (January 2, 2020). "Thousands of Maryland inmates work in prison. A new law shows us how much they're paid". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Peck, Louis (June 13, 2018). "Candidate Forum Underscores District 20 Reputation as County's Most Liberal Bastion". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Peck, Louis (February 14, 2018). "Most of County's Annapolis Delegation Lines Up Behind Measure To Attract Amazon HQ". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Pamela (February 26, 2021). "Maryland expands tax credit to more immigrants, seeking to aid additional workers in pandemic-induced recession". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Pamela (March 12, 2021). "Unlike many other states, Maryland's legislature is moving to make it easier to vote early or by mail". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ Bohnel, Steve (March 13, 2023). "One committee has placed 35% of Montgomery County's General Assembly delegation in current seats". MoCo360. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.