It was all smiles, ovations and good cheer as the 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly took their oaths of office for four-year terms at the State House on Wednesday. They were, after all, the winners of the November election, and partisan politics were largely put aside.
House Speaker Michael Busch, re-elected by acclamation, said he and many others had been intensely partisan in the campaign, but while the delegates can have many titles, “the most important title is that weare Marylanders” and work for the good of the state.
Retired U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes told the 141 delegates that 40 years ago in the same chamber, he was sworn into his first political office, as was his new successor, Ben Cardin, who eventually became speaker. They are among the nine former delegates who became U.S. senators.
The feelings of the 34 newly elected delegates and 11 new senators ? one of the chamber?s largest freshmen classes in 50 years ? were echoed by Democratic Gov.-elect Martin O?Malley.
“It?s a very exciting, optimistic and hopeful day,” O?Malley said.
“Now don?t get too far ahead of me,” he said, referring to the fact he won?t be sworn in until Jan. 17.
House Republican Leader Anthony O?Donnell of Southern Maryland got in the spirit, calling it “a new day,” and hopeful time. The incoming O?Malley team reached out to Republicans on Tuesday, sending its chief of staff and chief legislative officer to talk to a joint caucus of House and Senate Republicans. New Democratic Attorney General Doug Gansler and Comptroller-elect Peter Franchot also spoke to the group.
The last election wiped out the few remaining Republicans representing the Washington suburbs. There are no Republicans representing Montgomery or Prince George?s counties in Annapolis.
The only partisanship to surface came when two Republican senators, Alex Mooney of Frederick and Andrew Harris of Baltimore County, voted against the election of Senate President Mike Miller, D-Calvert, to his 21st year as presiding officer.
Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, D-Baltimore City, became the first black man to be elected president pro-tem.
Like many of the new legislators, Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, brought his wife, parents and about a dozen friends and campaign volunteers to witness his transition from the House.
“This is really just a day to be with our families and friends,” Zirkin said. “I think you?ll see a complete sea change.”
