ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order calling for the Maryland General Assembly to convene a special session on May 1.
The special session will allow the House of Delegates to elect a successor to the late Speaker Michael Busch.
“It is my solemn duty to call a special session of the General Assembly in order to elect a successor to Speaker Busch,” read a statement from Hogan. “As we close a significant chapter in our state’s history, we will continue the critical work that Mike Busch dedicated so much of his life to doing.”
Speaker Busch died on Sunday, April 7.
Over the last few years, Busch battled significant health issues. Last September, he underwent heart surgery and the year prior, a liver transplant, which was donated by his sister. He missed the last few weeks of the 2019 legislative session due to pneumonia.
Busch joined the House of Delegates in 1987 and served as House Speaker since 2003, the longest tenure in state history.
Del. Adrienne Jones of Baltimore County, who is the Speaker Pro Tem, is interested in the position.
According to the Washington Post, Del. Maggie McIntosh of Baltimore and Del. Dereck Davis of Prince George's County are also seeking the job.
