Crosby out, Collins in, a Muslim Caucus forms and Nkongolo reflects on Lincoln, in political notes

A Southern Maryland Democrat who suddenly became the face of a debate over business taxes last year is leaving the House of Delegates.

Del. Brian M. Crosby (D-St. Mary’s) will not seek a third term in the House of Delegates. He first announced the decision in a social media post in January that appeared to slip under the radar of publications, including those in Southern Maryland that have reported recently that Crosby had either not filed or appeared to have not made a decision about running.

The Army veteran and business owner was first elected in 2018. He served as vice chair of the House Economic Matters Committee from 2021-2025.

Last March, Crosby was thrust front and center of a legislative debate over a bill imposing a 3% business-to-business tax on information technology and other services.

Crosby is the owner of a small business of nearly 50 employees that is a subcontractor on Defense IT contracts. With offices in Maryland, Virginia and Georgia, Crosby decided to reposition the company as an out-of-state vendor, sidestepping a tax he said would likely bankrupt him and many others operating in the state.

His decision to move was “announced” by Republicans who used it as fodder in their arguments against the new tax.

Crosby was stripped of his position as vice chair after Joseline Peña-Melnyk succeeded Adrienne Jones as House speaker in December.

Crosby confirmed his decision not to seek re-election but otherwise declined to comment Monday, referring a reporter to his January social media post.

“For me, today is extra special, as it marks the start of my last session,” Crosby said in the post on the opening day of the 2026 session. “I am going to spend more time focused on my girls and business. Being your delegate has been an honor of a lifetime, and I want to thank each and every one of you for this incredible opportunity.”

We’re going to need a longer ballot

Add another name to the ever-growing list of people hoping to succeed longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), who is stepping down after 22 terms in office.

Charles County Commission President Reuben Collins II filed paperwork Thursday for the seat, becoming one of at least 16 Democrats to have either filed filed candidacy paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections, or set up a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission, or both. Two Republicans and three independents had also filed as of Monday.

Those include announcements this month by Harry Dunn, the former U.S. Capitol Police office turned political activist and candidate, and Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay — who was appointed in December to a vacant at-large council seat after serving as the District 6 member. Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s), who announced his bid more than three weeks ago won the Hoyer’s endorsement.

Collins, who runs a law firm in Charles County and was elected last month as chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, said Monday his priorities include affordability issues, advocating for term limits for Supreme Court justices and creating employment opportunities for district residents who have been fired or laid off by the federal government. Like many Democrats in the race, he has made President Donald Trump (R) a target, saying another goal is “strengthening constitutional safeguards” against the president.

“You can say what you want about Donald Trump, but clearly he recognized the limitations that existed in our constitutional body in how we operate. He’s taken advantage of that,” Collins said. “We’re at his peril right now. Everything was operating based on good faith. But Trump was like, ‘Well, you know what? I’m going to challenge these things.’ That’s where we’re finding the imperfections that exist in our democracy.”

Because the 5th District, which is based in Southern Maryland, is heavily Democratic the winner of the June 23 Democratic primary is expected to be favored in the Nov. 3 general election. More candidates may yet come, as the deadline to file if Feb. 24.

F.R.E.E.

Del. LaToya Nkongolo (R-Anne Arundel) delivered this year’s Lincoln Day Address on the House floor Monday night.

It’s an annual Presidents Day tradition delivered by a GOP House member to honor Abraham Lincoln, the first president from the Republican Party.

As the only Black Republican in the legislature, Nkongolo centered part of her slightly more than four-minute speech on Lincoln’s mission of liberation.

“Liberation from poverty. Liberation from fatherlessness. Liberation from failing schools. Liberation from dependency. Liberation from the lie that you are a victim of your circumstances,” she said. “As a Black Republican, I see Lincoln not only as a historical giant, but as a model for the kind of mission and leadership our nation still needs because he dedicated himself to liberation, unity, opportunity and the American promise.”

Nkongolo acknowledged her ancestors, who were enslaved on American soil, helped lay the foundation of this country.

“And yet, despite my family’s painful history, I don’t stand here in anger or resentment. I stand here in resolve because education has taught me to glance in the rearview mirror of history, but not stare in it,” she said.

Nkongolo wrapped up the speech with her definition of F.R.E.E. – “Family, Religion, Education, Entrepreneurship. Happy President’s Day and Happy Black History Month.” Afterward, she received handshakes, hugs and pats on the back from both Republican and Democratic colleagues.

Across the hall in the Senate chamber, Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Lower Shore) delivered the annual Lincoln Day speech Thursday, the actual date of Lincoln’s birth.

Muslim Caucus launched

The Maryland General Assembly got another legislative caucus, its eighth, with the official announcement Monday of the launch of the Muslim Caucus, timed to coincide with Muslim Lobby Day.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the IMAN Network, \legislative priorities of the new caucus will include public education and cultural inclusion, youth justice reform and immigrant and community safety protections.

Del. Sean Stinnett (D-Baltimore City), who also spoke on behalf of Dels. Caylin Young (D-Baltimore City) and Sarah Wolek (D-Montgomery), thanked House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) for the opportunity to establish the caucus.

“We do not have meetings set up yet, but we are a work in progress,” Stinnett said on the House floor.

Young also thanked Peña-Melnyk and Morgan Streeter, administrator of the House of Delegates, for setting up a room for Muslims to pray during Ramadan. The period of fasting and reflection, the holiest on the Muslim calendar, begins this week and lasts for a month.