Maryland House of Delegates District 40

What’s the job: One of 188 members of Maryland’s General Assembly, split between the House of Delegates and the Senate. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving state spending and providing oversight of Maryland government operations. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Del. Marlon Amprey

Age: 39

Personal: Married with two girls, 2 and 6.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, government and politics, certificate in African American studies, University of Maryland at College Park; certificate in business management, Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania; juris doctor, University of Pennsylvania Law School; master’s degree, education (curriculum and instruction), George Mason University.

Experience: Member, Maryland House of Delegates, District 40 (2021-present); attorney, SRD Legal Group.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Frank M. Conaway, Jr.

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Dianté Edwards

Age: 33

Personal: Pigtown resident, two rescue dogs.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, computer networks & cybersecurity, University of Maryland Global Campus.

Experience: Cybersecurity consultant, Parsons Corp. (2022-present); cryptologic technician, U.S. Navy Reserve (2022-present); chief of staff, Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway (2022); cryptologic technician, U.S. Navy (2012-2022).

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Kevin Legacy

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Crystal Jackson Parker

Age: 59

Personal: Widowed, two children, four grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, sociology, African American studies and Government, Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences; juris doctor, University of Baltimore School of Law.

Experience: Director of asset management, Coppin Heights Community Development Corp. (2023-present); president, North Avenue Hilton Street Business & Community Task Force; president, Gateway Resident Council.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Anderson Jean

Age: 35

Personal: Lifelong scholar of Haitian heritage.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, University of Massachusetts; master’s degree, government and politics, St. John’s University (Queens, N.Y.)

Experience: Academic (history); worked on U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s reelection campaign; worked in the constituent services office of former representative Elizabeth Esty.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Tiffany Welch

Age: 42

Personal: Lifelong resident of West Baltimore’s Matthew Henson neighborhood.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, sociology, University of Michigan’ master’s degree, social work, management and community organizing, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Experience: Community impact leader and strategist; has helped launch and lead initiatives focused on economic opportunity, food access, youth empowerment, and the arts.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Del. Melissa Wells

Age: 42

Personal: Married, Mt. Vernon resident.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, University of California Riverside; master’s degree, public policy, American University.

Experience: Member, Maryland House of Delegates, District 40 (2019-present); chair, Government, Labor and Elections Committee; special assistant to the president, NABTU.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Correction: This article was updated to add Dianté Edwards' experience in the U.S. Navy.