MD Lawmaker Tells House Speaker To 'Take A Seat,' Later Apologizes

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Maryland state delegate from Anne Arundel County apologized Tuesday after telling House Majority Leader Adrienne Jones to "take a seat" during the final minutes of the General Assembly's 2023 legislative season, according to video and reports.

In a statement obtained by the Baltimore Banner, Republican Nic Kipke said he apologized to Jones following his comments, which brought proceedings to a halt Monday night.

"I listened to the floor debate and agree that things got heated," Kipke said in the statement. "I did call the speaker to apologize for my tone."

The Banner shared a video of the incident, in which Kipke can be seen standing up near the back of the room before "challenging" Jones to "take a seat."

"I am very fond of you, Madame Speaker," Kipke said, "but I challenge the speaker (to) have a seat."

Kipke's comments were made during a debate over House Bill 1071, which prohibited police from stopping or searching a person based solely on the odor of cannabis, according to Maryland Matters. The bill came up at 11:48 p.m., 12 minutes before the chamber was scheduled to adjourn.

Republicans, who hold the minority in the chamber, made several requests to explain their views on the bill; however, Jones cut off debate and refused to let lawmakers speak, the Banner reported.

Kipke then stood to "challenge the rule of the speaker," stating his call for someone else to take over the proceedings should take precedence in the ongoing floor session.

Jones pressed on, prompting many Republican lawmakers to leave the House floor.

Kipke called his outburst a "bubbling over of frustration."

"I think (Jones is) a really good woman," Kipke told the Banner. "I don't know why she was rushing through in the final minutes and not allowing the process to take place as normal."

Jheanelle Wilkin, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, took to Twitter following the incident, calling Kipke "intoxicated and belligerent."

"His shameful behavior was unwarranted and beneath the dignity of the House Chamber," Wilkins said.

Wilkins continued, "Women in leadership — especially Black women — should NEVER be told to sit down.

Kipke told the Banner he was "absolutely not" intoxicated. He said he texted Jones to offer an "olive branch" and later left her a voicemail to apologize, according to the Banner.

Maryland Matters contributed to this report.