Jackson Crosses The Hall After Four Weeks, Healey Hangs It Up After 36 Years, In Political Notes

By Bryan P. Sears and Steve Crane, Maryland Matters

January 7, 2026

A senior aide to former House Speaker Adrienne Jones has landed a new job just steps away from his old one.

Matt Jackson, who served for a year as chief of staff to Jones, will be named senior policy adviser to Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City).

The announcement is expected as soon Wednesday. Jackson will fill a vacancy created after Ross Seidman was elevated to senior counsel to Ferguson.

Jackson brings a deep knowledge of the budget to a staff that already includes Deputy Chief of Staff Jody Sprinkle. Gov. Wes Moore (D) and the General Assembly face a difficult budget year that includes a $1.5 billion structural budget deficit. The Senate will get first crack at the budget after Moore introduces it later this month.

Jackson was one of three senior aides fired, along with Jones’ Director of Legislative Affairs Michele Lambert and Communications Director Marty McGowan, by House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk just days after she was elected to succeed former House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County). Prior to becoming chief of staff in 2024, Jackson served as deputy chief of staff.

In addition to making leadership and committee appointments, Peña-Melnyk has spent the last four weeks rebuilding her staff in advance of next week’s start of the 2026 General Assembly, including the appointment Monday of Heather Mizeur as her communications director.

Healey hangs it up after 36 years

Del. Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s), the second-longest tenured member of the House of Delegates, announced Tuesday that she will not seek reelection this fall but will step down when her term ends next January, after 36 years in office.

In a lengthy statement, Healey gave no specific reason for stepping down, but recounted a tenure that saw historic firsts and sweeping change, in the county and the state.

Del. Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s), chair of the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. Photo by Bryan P. Sears.

“Over my 35 years in the legislature, I have seen our community grow more diverse, and I am proud to support policies that reflect and respect that diversity,” her statement said. “Bringing people together across differences has been among the most meaningful parts of my work, and it has been an honor to serve this community.”

Healey, first elected in 1990 after three years on the Hyattsville City Council, has been in Annapolis for six governors — William Donald Schaefer, Parris Glendening, Robert Ehrlich, Martin O’Malley, Larry Hogan and Wes Moore — and has served under five House speakers — Clayton Mitchell, Casper Taylor, Michael Busch, Adrienne Jones and, now, her “close friend and supporter” Joseline Peña-Melnyk.

She currently serves as chair of the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee and previously served as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review and vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee. She was president of the Women Legislators of Maryland in 2022.

Healey cited a number of historic votes during her tenure, including the repeal of the death penalty and the recognition of same-sex civil union, as well as her honor in casting votes to elect Jones as the first woman and African American to lead either chamber of the General Assembly, and Peña-Melnyk as the first Afro-Latina and first immigrant to hold the job.

“My work in the General Assembly consistently focuses on opportunity and dignity for all,” she wrote. “I am a strong advocate for working people — supporting increases to the minimum wage, enacting paid sick leave, and standing with state employees, tradespeople, union members and low-income workers.”

“Serving the people of District 22 has been the honor of my life. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, proud of the work we have accomplished together, and confident in the future of our district, the Maryland House of Delegates, and the State of Maryland,” Healey said in her statement.