Moore Fills House Vacancies Ahead of Session, Cementing Democratic Control

By Michael Phillips | MDBayNews

Just days before the 2026 legislative session convened, Wes Moore moved to fill the final three vacancies in the Maryland House of Delegates—ensuring Democrats enter the session with a full and uninterrupted supermajority.

The appointments, announced January 12 and first reported by Conduit Street, place three Democrats into districts that already lean heavily left. While the move follows established state law, it also highlights how Maryland’s vacancy system allows unelected lawmakers to be installed without voter input, often reinforcing one-party dominance in Annapolis.

The Appointments

The governor selected the following nominees submitted by local Democratic central committees:

• Gabriel Moreno, appointed to District 13 in Howard County. Moreno previously served as CEO of the Luminus Network for New Americans and worked as a senior attorney for Kids In Need of Defense, an advocacy organization focused on legal services for unaccompanied migrant children.
• Derrick Coley, appointed to District 24 in Prince George’s County. Coley is the deputy director of the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment and has held multiple senior roles within county government.
• Darrell Odom Sr., appointed to District 27A, covering parts of Prince George’s and Charles counties. Odom brings a background in public service, including more than 20 years with Prince George’s County Fire/EMS and a 31-year career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard.

All three will serve out the remainder of their predecessors’ terms.

A Legal Process — With Political Consequences

Under Maryland law, when a legislative vacancy occurs, the local party central committee selects nominees, and the governor appoints one of them. In practice, this system gives party insiders—not voters—the decisive role in choosing replacement lawmakers.

With Maryland already one of the most lopsided state legislatures in the country, critics argue the process entrenches political uniformity at a time when voters are increasingly frustrated with rising taxes, budget shortfalls, and the lack of meaningful debate in Annapolis.

The timing also matters. By filling the seats immediately before the session, the administration ensured there would be no gaps in committee assignments, floor votes, or leadership leverage as lawmakers take up contentious issues such as the state’s growing structural deficit, education spending mandates, and public safety policy.

What It Signals for 2026

While the appointments themselves were expected, they underscore a broader reality of Maryland politics: real power is often exercised outside the ballot box. With no competitive elections required to fill these seats, the new delegates arrive with policy alignments already well established—and little incentive to challenge the dominant agenda.

As the 2026 session gets underway, Marylanders can expect continuity rather than change from the House of Delegates. Whether that continuity serves taxpayers grappling with higher costs and tighter budgets remains an open question.

For now, Governor Moore has ensured his party enters the session at full strength—and with firm control intact.

---

Keep MDBayNews Reporting Free

MDBayNews exists to help Marylanders understand decisions made by state and local leaders — especially when those decisions affect daily life, rights, and public services.

If this article helped clarify what’s happening or why it matters, reader support makes it possible to keep publishing clear, independent reporting like this.

👉 Support Local Journalism

Have a tip or documents to share?

We review submissions carefully and confidentially. Anonymous tips are welcome when appropriate.

 👉 Submit a Tip