Stephanie M. Smith

Stephanie M. Smith
Smith in 2020
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 45th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Serving with Jackie Addison and Caylin Young
Preceded byCory McCray
Personal details
Born (1981-05-20) May 20, 1981
Virginia Beach, Virginia
PartyDemocratic
SpouseCalvin L. Smith Jr.
Children2
EducationHampton University (BA)
University of Delaware (MA)
Howard University School of Law (JD)
OccupationAttorney, Urban Planner

Stephanie M. Smith (born May 20, 1981) is an American politician who currently serves in the Maryland House of Delegates. Smith represents the 45th Legislative District of the state of Maryland which is located in east Baltimore City.[1]

Background

Smith was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on May 20, 1981. She attended Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2003; the University of Delaware, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in urban affairs and public policy in 2006; and the Howard University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2009. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2012.[1] After graduating, she served as the assistant director for Equity, Engagement, and Communications for the Baltimore City Department of Planning and worked with various civic organizations in the city.[2] Smith also served as a general counsel for Earthjustice.[3] Smith is a member of AmeriCorps[4] and the 2017 Emerge Maryland graduating class.[5]

In the legislature

Smith in the House Appropriations Committee, 2024

Smith was sworn in as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. During her tenure, Smith was a member of the Ways and Means Committee from 2019 to 2021, afterwards serving on the Appropriations Committee until 2027.[1] In January 2020, she was elected to lead the Baltimore City Delegation, succeeding former chairwoman Cheryl Glenn.[2][6] In March 2022, Legislative Black Caucus chairman Darryl Barnes appointed Smith to serve as the caucus parliamentarian.[7] She was also a member of the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, and the Women Legislators of Maryland, serving as the president of the women's caucus during the 2026 legislative session.[1]

Smith was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.[8]

In June 2026, Smith was defeated in the Democratic primary by former state delegate Chanel Branch, who won alongside incumbents Jackie Addison and Caylin Young and edged out Smith by 306 votes.[9][10] Following the primary election, Smith accused state senator Cory McCray of mounting "an organized effort to push me out"; on Election Day that year, McCray posted a video encouraging voters to come out to support Branch, Young, and Addison.[11] In a statement to Maryland Matters, McCray responded that he respected Smith's service in the General Assembly and wishes her and her family "nothing but the best in the next chapter of her journey".[10]

Political positions

Education

Smith supports, and voted in favor of passing in 2020, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.[12] She also supports a vaccine mandate for teachers.[13]

Social issues

During the 2020 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to ban discrimination based on hair texture.[14] The bill passed and became law on May 8, 2020.[15][16]

During the 2021 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to require the state to use federal pandemic relief funding to pay electronic monitoring and home detention fees for select defendants. The bill passed and became law on May 30, 2021.[17][18]

Taxes

During the 2020 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to restructure the state's income tax brackets, restoring a higher 7 percent tax bracket for Marylanders with an annual income over $1 million.[19]

Transportation

Smith opposed a proposal to build a Maglev from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.[20]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 45 Democratic Primary Election, 2018[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Talmadge Branch 6,394 19.6
Democratic Cheryl Glenn 5,792 17.8
Democratic Stephanie Smith 4,486 13.7
Democratic Caylin Young 3,955 12.1
Democratic Sharon McCollough 2,886 8.8
Democratic Marques Dent 2,705 8.3
Democratic Rita Church 2,561 7.8
Democratic Linzy Jackson 1,863 5.7
Democratic John D. Amankwah 697 2.1
Democratic George Johnson 686 2.1
Democratic Andy Pierre 602 1.8
Maryland House of Delegates District 45 Election, 2018[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cheryl Glenn 22,818 27.6
Democratic Stephanie Smith 22,524 27.3
Democratic Talmadge Branch 21,654 26.2
Green Glenn L. Ross 4,026 4.9
Green Steven "Andy" Ellis 3,735 4.5
Republican Ronald M. Owens-Bey 2,825 3.4
Republican Jewel Rucker 2,485 3.0
Republican Andy Zipay 2,375 2.9
Write-In 136 0.2

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Stephanie M. Smith". msa.maryland.gov. State of Maryland. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 Gaskill, Hannah (January 10, 2020). "City, Prince George's Delegations Elect New Leaders". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  3. ↑ Kurtz, Josh (December 6, 2021). "Pinsky, Barve Vow to Move Climate Change Bill Quickly in 2022". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ Hernández, Arelis; Wiggins, Ovetta (January 9, 2019). "Meet the freshman class of the Maryland General Assembly". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ Kurtz, Josh (October 4, 2019). "Celebrating Women — and One Woman in Particular". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ Broadwater, Luke (January 10, 2020). "First-term delegate to lead Baltimore delegation to Maryland House, replacing chairwoman facing corruption charges". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  7. ↑ Gaines, Danielle; Gaskill, Hannah; Kurtz, Josh (March 25, 2022). "Legislative Roundup: Single Abortion Bill Advances in Senate, Hogan Keeps the Money Flowing, Plus Caucus News". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  8. ↑ Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2024). "Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ Pugh, Catherine (June 28, 2026). "Black community has their say in 2026 midterm primary elections". Baltimore Afro-American. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Ford, William J. (July 7, 2026). "Legislative races come into focus as ballot counting wraps on June 23 primary". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  11. ↑ Ford, William J.; Condon, Christine (June 25, 2026). "Some Maryland delegates still locked in tight primary contests two days after election". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  12. ↑ Gaines, Danielle; Gaskill, Hannah (March 18, 2020). "Sweeping Education Reform Bill Headed to Governor's Desk". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  13. ↑ Shwe, Elizabeth (August 12, 2021). "Md. Lawmakers Push for a Vaccine Mandate for Teachers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  14. ↑ DePuyt, Bruce (March 9, 2020). "CROWN Act Likely to Come Out on Top". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Legislation - HB1444". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Here's a Look at New State Laws Taking Effect on Oct. 1". Maryland Matters. Capital News Service. October 1, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  17. ↑ Gaskill, Hannh (September 24, 2021). "Defendants Face Financial Hardship, Jail Time as Program to Provide Aid for Home Detention is Delayed". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Legislation - HB0316". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  19. ↑ Gaines, Danielle (January 16, 2020). "Progressives Push Tax Reform Proposals to Fund Kirwan Plan". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ DePuyt, Bruce (January 24, 2019). "Proposal for Maglev Meets Resistance From Black Caucus". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  22. ↑ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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