Joanne C. Benson

Joanne Claybon Benson (born March 11, 1941) is an American politician who represents District 24 in the Maryland State Senate. She formerly represented District 24 in the Maryland House of Delegates

Joanne Claybon Benson
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 24th district
Assumed office
2011
Preceded byNathaniel Exum
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 24th district
In office
1991–2011
Personal details
Born (1941-03-11) March 11, 1941
Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Hyattsville, Maryland
EducationBowie State College (BS)
The Catholic University of America (MA)
OccupationEducator

Background

Benson was born on March 11, 1941, in Roanoke, Virginia. She attended South Hagerstown High School and then graduated from Bowie State College with a Bachelor of Science in education in 1961.[1] She later attended The Catholic University of America where she earned her Master of Arts in curriculum instruction in 1972.[1]

In the legislature

Benson was a member of House of Delegates from 1991 to 2011. She served on the House Health and Government Operations Committee and its health occupations subcommittee, long-term care subcommittee, and its minority health disparities subcommittee. She is also a member and former chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. She still presides at the Caucus meetings, providing an inspirational prayer as the Caucus' chaplain.[2]

In 2010 she defeated incumbent state senator Nathaniel Exum and was sworn into office in January 2011. In 2020 she was selected to be the Senate's Deputy Majority leader and has been chairman of the Senate Rules committee since 2019.[3]

Legislative notes
  • voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)
  • voted in favor of the Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)
  • voted in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6)

References
  1. "Joanne C. Benson, Maryland State Senator". msa.maryland.gov. Maryland Manual Online. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  2. "About Us". marylandblackcaucus.org. The Legislative Black Caucus of maryland. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  3. "JOANNE CLAYBON BENSON". msa.maryland.gov. State of Maryland. Retrieved April 11, 2022.


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