Joseline Peña-Melnyk
Joseline Peña-Melnyk (Democratic Party) is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 21. She assumed office on January 10, 2007. Her current term ends on January 13, 2027.
The Maryland House of Delegates unanimously elected Peña-Melnyk state speaker of the House on December 16, 2025. She was the first immigrant and Afro-Latina elected speaker in the state's history.[1][2]
Peña-Melnyk was born in the Dominican Republic in 1966. She received a B.A. in criminal justice from Buffalo State College in 1987 and a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law, State University of New York in 1991. Peña-Melnyk was an attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia from 1991 to 1992 and the assistant U.S. attorney for the Office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1997 to 1999. Other work experience included serving as a child neglect lawyer.[3][4][5]
Peña-Melnyk was first elected to public office in 2003, winning election to the city council of College Park, Maryland. She served on the city council until 2006, when she was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. She received 28.9% of the vote and was one of three Democrats elected to District 21's three seats. During her time in the state House, Peña-Melnyk chaired the Health and Government Operations Committee. She was also a founding member of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus.[3][4]
According to The Washington Post, in 2026, "Peña-Melnyk will lead the House through a legislative session that is already teed up to deal with a number of issues, including a $1.4 billion budget deficit, immigration policy, rising health care costs and a push for congressional redistricting that has divided Democrats in Annapolis."[6] Peña-Melnyk said civility would be central to her leadership.[7]
State Sen. James Rosapepe (D) described Peña-Melnyk as a pragmatic progressive while News From The States said Peña-Melnyk "built a reputation as being fair to Republicans, who are the minority in the House and Senate."[5][6] Upon Peña-Melnyk's election as speaker, Del. Tom Hutchinson (R) said, "She is a leader who is always willing to listen and understand, regardless of the side of the aisle on which you stand."[5]
Biography
Peña-Melnyk was born in the Dominican Republic in 1966. She received a B.A. in criminal justice from the Buffalo State College in 1987 and a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law, State University of New York in 1991. Peña-Melnyk was an attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia from 1991 to 1992 and the assistant U.S. attorney for the Office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1997 to 1999. Other work experience included serving as a child neglect lawyer.[3][4][5]
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Peña-Melnyk was assigned to the following committees:
- Legislative Policy Committee
- Joint Federal Action Oversight Committee
- Health & Government Operations Committee, Chair
- Rules & Executive Nominations Committee
2023-2024
Peña-Melnyk was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Peña-Melnyk was assigned to the following committees:
- Health & Government Operations Committee, Vice-chair
- Rules & Executive Nominations Committee
- Behavioral Health & Opioid Use Disorders Committee (decommissioned)
2019-2020
Peña-Melnyk was assigned to the following committees:
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Pena-Melnyk served on the following committees:
| Maryland committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Health & Government Operations |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Pena-Melnyk served on these committees:
| Maryland committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Access to Mental Health Services, Chair |
| • Health & Government Operations |
Note: Pena-Melnyk also served on the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Subcommittee on Public Health and Long Term Care.
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Pena-Melnyk served on these committees:
| Maryland committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Health & Government Operations |
Note: Pena-Melnyk also served on the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Subcommittee on Public Health and Long Term Care.
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 23, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
Incumbent Ben Barnes (D), incumbent Mary Lehman (D), and incumbent Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on June 23, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| | Ben Barnes | |
| Mary Lehman | ||
| | Joseline Peña-Melnyk | |
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Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for June 23, 2026, was canceled.
Endorsements
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2022
See also: Maryland House of Delegates elections, 2022
General election
General election for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
Incumbent Mary Lehman, incumbent Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and incumbent Ben Barnes won election in the general election for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mary Lehman (D) | 33.6 | 22,333 | |
| ✔ | Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) | 32.9 | 21,821 | |
| ✔ | Ben Barnes (D) | 32.4 | 21,531 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.1 | 720 | ||
| Total votes: 66,405 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
Incumbent Joseline Peña-Melnyk, incumbent Mary Lehman, and incumbent Ben Barnes advanced from the Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on July 19, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseline Peña-Melnyk | 33.7 | 9,502 | |
| ✔ | Mary Lehman | 33.2 | 9,381 | |
| ✔ | Ben Barnes | 33.1 | 9,335 | |
| Total votes: 28,218 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Malcolm Colombo (D)
2018
General election
General election for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ben Barnes (D) | 26.3 | 27,567 | |
| ✔ | Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D) | 25.7 | 26,889 | |
| ✔ | Mary Lehman (D) | 25.6 | 26,809 | |
| Richard Douglas (R) | 8.1 | 8,519 | ||
| Chike Anyanwu (R) | 7.9 | 8,313 | ||
| Ray Ranker (Unaffiliated) | 6.2 | 6,472 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 234 | ||
| Total votes: 104,803 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseline Peña-Melnyk | 30.0 | 8,770 | |
| ✔ | Ben Barnes | 25.5 | 7,449 | |
| ✔ | Mary Lehman | 18.9 | 5,538 | |
| Matt Dernoga | 18.2 | 5,316 | ||
| Brencis Smith | 4.0 | 1,169 | ||
| James McDowell Jr. | 3.5 | 1,027 | ||
| Total votes: 29,269 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 (3 seats)
Richard Douglas and Chike Anyanwu advanced from the Republican primary for Maryland House of Delegates District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Richard Douglas | 53.9 | 1,492 | |
| ✔ | Chike Anyanwu | 46.1 | 1,274 | |
| Total votes: 2,766 | ||||
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Endorsements
- Prince George's County Educators' Association[8]
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. In Maryland's 4th Congressional District, incumbent Donna Edwards (D) chose not to run for re-election in 2016, instead choosing to pursue election to the U.S. Senate. Anthony Brown (D) defeated George McDermott (R), Benjamin Lee Krause (L), Kamesha Clark (G), and Adrian Petrus (D, write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Brown defeated Warren Christopher, Matthew Fogg, Glenn Ivey, Joseline Pena-Melnyk, and Terence Strait in the Democratic primary, while McDermott defeated Robert Broadus, Rob Buck, and David Therrien to win the Republican nomination. The primary elections took place on April 26, 2016. [9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 74.1% | 237,501 | ||
| Republican | George McDermott | 21.4% | 68,670 | |
| Green | Kamesha Clark | 2.6% | 8,204 | |
| Libertarian | Benjamin Lee Krause | 1.8% | 5,744 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.2% | 531 | |
| Total Votes | 320,650 | |||
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
41.6% | 47,678 | ||
| Glenn Ivey | 34% | 38,966 | ||
| Joseline Pena-Melnyk | 19% | 21,724 | ||
| Warren Christopher | 3.5% | 3,973 | ||
| Matthew Fogg | 1.3% | 1,437 | ||
| Terence Strait | 0.7% | 845 | ||
| Total Votes | 114,623 | |||
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections |
||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
45.8% | 10,882 | ||
| David Therrien | 26.2% | 6,219 | ||
| Robert Broadus | 16.7% | 3,977 | ||
| Rob Buck | 11.4% | 2,703 | ||
| Total Votes | 23,781 | |||
| Source: Maryland State Board of Elections |
||||
2014
Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014. Incumbents Ben Barnes, Barbara A. Frush and Joseline Pena-Melnyk were unopposed in the Democratic primary. Katherine Butcher was unopposed in the Republican primary. Barnes, Frush and Pena-Melnyk defeated Butcher for three seats in the general election.[11][12][13]
2010
Pena-Melnyk successfully won re-election in the general election on November 2, 2010. She won the third of three available seats.[14]
2006
On November 7, 2006, Joseline Pena-Melnyk ran for District 21 of the Maryland House of Delegates, winning the third of three seats, losing to Ben Barnes and Barbara Frush but beating Niel Sood.[15]
Joseline Pena-Melnyk raised $83,185 for her campaign.[16]
| Maryland House of Delegates, District 21 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Ben Barnes (D) | 18,453 | 29.6% | ||
| Barbara Frush (D) | 18,279 | 29.3% | ||
| Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D) | 18,001 | 28.9% | ||
| Neil Sood (R) | 7,349 | 11.8% | ||
| Write-Ins | 206 | 0.3% | ||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Joseline Peña-Melnyk did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
The following issues were listed on Pena-Melnyk's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.
| “ |
|
” |
| —Joseline Pena-Melnyk's campaign website, http://joselinepenamelnyk.com/?page_id=58 | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2025.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland Humane Scorecard — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Legislative Coalition — Legislators are scored their voting record, committee efficiency, and individual initiative.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2024.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland Humane Scorecard — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Legislative Coalition — Legislators are scored their voting record, committee efficiency, and individual initiative.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2023.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland Humane Scorecard — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Legislative Coalition — Legislators are scored their voting record, committee efficiency, and individual initiative.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2022.
- Maryland Community Solar Now — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the support and expansion of the state's solar pilot program.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland Humane Scorecard — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Legislative Coalition — Legislators are scored their voting record, committee efficiency, and individual initiative.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2021.
- Maryland Community Solar Now — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the support and expansion of the state's solar pilot program.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Legislative Coalition — Legislators are scored their voting record, committee efficiency, and individual initiative.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2020.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2019.
- Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2018.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2017.
- Food and Water Watch — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to consumer interests.
- Maryland State Education Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2016.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Maryland Right to Life PAC — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2015.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2014.
- Humane Society Legislative Fund — Legislators are scored on votes related to animal issues.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland.
- Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition — Legislators are scored on bills related to consumer issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
- Maryland State Education Association — Legislators are scored on bills related to public education.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Maryland General Assembly in 2013.
- Humane Society Legislative Fund — Legislators are scored on votes related to animal issues.
- Maryland Business for Responsive Government — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and jobs in Maryland.
- Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition — Legislators are scored on bills related to consumer issues.
- Maryland League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on environmental issues.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Pena-Melnyk is Vice-Chair of the Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee for Prince George's County Delegation, and a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, and Task Force on Healthcare Access and Reimbursement.[18]
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ MarylandReporter.com, "State Roundup: Peña-Melnyk unanimously elected House Speaker; lawmakers then override Moore’s veto of reparations study bill; most of those arrested by ICE in Maryland have no criminal history," December 17, 2025
- ↑ Voto Latino, "Voto Latino Congratulates Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk on Making History as Maryland’s First Immigrant and First Afro-Latina House Speaker," December 16, 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Maryland Manual On-line, "Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk, Esq., House Speaker," accessed January 13, 2026
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 National Press Foundation, "Joseline Peña-Melnyk," accessed January 13, 2026
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 News From The States, "Peña-Melnyk elected unanimously as House speaker, making history in the process," December 16, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Washington Post, "Maryland House selects first immigrant speaker during special session," December 16, 2025
- ↑ Maryland Matters, "House Speaker Peña-Melnyk begins first session tackling budget deficit, immigration policy," January 12, 2026
- ↑ Prince George's County Educators' Association, "2018 PGCEA-Endorsed Candidates," accessed May 25, 2018
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2016 Presidential Primary Election State Candidates List," accessed February 5, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Maryland Primary Results," April 26, 2016
- ↑ Maryland Secretary of State, "Official primary election candidate list," accessed March 3, 2014
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2014 Official General Election Results," accessed April 30, 2015
- ↑ Maryland Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed March 4, 2014
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Pena-Melnyk's 2006 campaign contributions," accessed March 25, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Pena-Melnyk's Biography," accessed March 25, 2014
= candidate completed the 