Melissa Wells (politician)
Melissa R. Wells (born October 3, 1983) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, currently representing 40th Legislative District, based in west Baltimore City.[1]
Melissa Wells | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 40th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Hayes (D) |
| Constituency | Baltimore City |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1983 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Baltimore, Maryland |
Early life and career
Wells was born on October 3, 1983. She attended University of California at Riverside in 2006, where she earned a B.A. degree in political science and law and sociology. She later attended American University in 2010, where she earned a M.A. degree in public policy. After graduating, she worked as a policy assistant for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies until 2014 and as a field advisor at Triple Point Interactions and program associate at PolicyLink until 2015. She is currently the regional director of the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Union.[1]
In the legislature
Wells was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019.[1] She was an unsuccessful candidate for assistant majority leader of the House of Delegates, losing to state delegate Wanika B. Fisher in a 25-13 vote among the class of freshman Democratic legislators.[2] Since 2020, she has served as Deputy Majority Whip.[1]
Committee assignments
- Environment and Transportation Committee, 2019–present (housing & real property subcommittee, 2019–present; land use & ethics subcommittee, 2019–present; natural resources, agriculture & open space subcommittee, 2020–present)
Other memberships
- 1st Vice-Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2020–present (member, 2019–present)
- Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, 2021–present
- Women Legislators of Maryland, 2019–present
- 2nd Vice-Chair, Baltimore City Delegation, 2020–present
- Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019–present
Electoral history
| Maryland House of Delegates 40th District Democratic Primary Election, 2018[3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Nick Mosby | 6,306 | 21 |
| Democratic | Melissa Wells | 4,423 | 14 |
| Democratic | Frank M. Conaway, Jr. | 4,230 | 14 |
| Democratic | Westley West | 3,099 | 10 |
| Democratic | Gabriel Auteri | 2,905 | 10 |
| Democratic | Terrell Boston-Smith | 2,867 | 9 |
| Democratic | Sanjay Thomas | 1,646 | 5 |
| Democratic | Sarah Matthews | 1,361 | 4 |
| Democratic | Latia Hopkins | 1,231 | 4 |
| Democratic | Anees Abdul-Rahim | 1,075 | 4 |
| Democratic | Brian Murphy | 898 | 3 |
| Democratic | Timothy Mercer | 370 | 1 |
| Democratic | Blair DuCray | 240 | 1 |
| Maryland House of Delegates 40th District General Election, 2018[4] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Nick Mosby | 19,726 | 31 |
| Democratic | Melissa Wells | 18,952 | 29 |
| Democratic | Frank M. Conaway, Jr. | 6,306 | 26 |
| Green | Joshua Harris | 8,833 | 14 |
| Other/Write-in | Other/Write-in | 337 | 1 |
| Write-in | Will Hanna | 148 | 0 |
References
- "Delegate Melissa Wells". mgaleg.maryland.gov. The State of Maryland. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- Kurtz, Josh (November 11, 2019). "Freshman House Dems Choose New Assistant Majority Leader". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 17, 2022.