Charles County Nominates Yonelle Moore Lee For House Seat As Governor Weighs Final Pick

WALDORF, Md. — Charles County Democrats voted Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, to nominate Yonelle Moore Lee, chair of the Charles County Board of Education, to fill the vacant District 27A seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. But the move conflicts with the pick made just days earlier by Prince George’s County Democrats, creating a split over who should represent the two-county district.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee overwhelmingly selected Darrell Odom Sr., a fellow committee member, to fill the same vacancy. Odom, a retired U.S. Army and Coast Guard veteran who also served as acting fire chief in Prince George’s County, was backed by Sen. Kevin Harris.

Moore Lee acknowledged her nomination publicly in a Jan. 4 Facebook post, “I am being considered for the vacant District 27A Delegate position! Governor Moore will be making the final decision.”

District 27A includes portions of both Prince George’s and Charles counties. Because the district crosses county lines, both Democratic central committees must agree on a nominee to send to Gov. Wes Moore for final appointment. If they submit different names, the governor will choose between them. Once the names are forwarded, Moore will have 15 days to make a selection — though the 2026 General Assembly session is scheduled to convene earlier, on Jan. 14.

The vacancy was created when Del. Kevin Harris was sworn in as state senator earlier in December, following his appointment to fill the District 27 Senate seat left vacant by former Sen. Michael Jackson, now head of the Maryland State Police.

Reuben Collins II, president of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, and Del. Debra Davis (D-Charles) offered strong support for Moore Lee during the meeting, praising her leadership and qualifications for the role.

The District 27A appointment decision now lies with Gov. Wes Moore, who must weigh two candidates representing different communities and leadership styles. As the 2026 General Assembly session approaches, local leaders and residents alike await his selection, which will shape how Southern Maryland’s priorities are represented in Annapolis during a critical legislative year.

---