Musical chairs in the Maryland Senate president’s office and other political notes

David Schuhlein will leave his role with the Office of the Senate President after five years of managing and coordinating the wide-ranging communication needs for Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City).

Ferguson said he was “deeply grateful” for Schuhlein’s work as director of communications in a statement announcing his departure, along with other staff changes.

“David has been an invaluable member of our team and a trusted advisor throughout some of the most consequential moments for the Senate of Maryland,” Ferguson said in the Friday statement. “His strategic judgment, communications expertise, and ability to navigate complex issues have helped strengthen how we communicate our priorities and connect with Marylanders.”

Since his appointment to the role in August 2021, Schuhlein has overseen communication strategy for the Senate president’s office, which includes updating Maryland residents on the Senate’s legislative efforts, coordinating with senators on legislative priorities, and serving as a point of access to the president for the Maryland press.

“I am humbled to have played a role in successfully navigating some of the most complex issues the state of Maryland has ever faced and incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Schuhlein said in a text to Maryland Matters.

Schuhlein will be heading to Enterprise Community Partners, an affordable housing developer in Maryland, as the vice president of communications. He will continue working for the Senate President’s office until Oct. 27.

Another new gig, and a new hire

The announcement of Schuhlein’s departure came with notices for other staff changes in Ferguson’s office. That includes a promotion for Matt Jackson, who joined Ferguson’s team as senior adviser in January. Before joining the Senate, he worked “across the hall” as chief of staff to former House Speaker Adrienne Jones.

Friday, Ferguson announced that Jackson would take on a new role of senior counsel to provide legal and policy guidance to him and Senate leadership on upcoming legislative priorities.

Ferguson said Jackson’s “deep understanding of the legislative process” and “thoughtful approach to complex policy” will help him in his new role.

Jackson will take the position previously held by Ross Seidman, who left this summer.

Moving into Jackson’s seat as the senior adviser to Ferguson is Stephanie Hall, the chief government and legislative affairs officer for Coppin State University. She’s also previously served as the executive director for the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus and has a legislative background that will be “an incredible asset,” to the office, according to Ferguson.

“I am confident that our team will continue to provide the leadership, expertise, and dedication necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Ferguson said in his statement.

Maryland delegation supports Lapp

More Maryland politicians are piling on in support of David Lapp, the state’s top ratepayer advocate.

This time, the vote of confidence is coming from Capitol Hill.

In a letter sent to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown earlier this week, all nine Democrats representing Maryland in Congress urged Brown to keep Lapp as people’s counsel — even though his initial five-year term has expired.

The Democrats echoed a letter sent by more than 70 state lawmakers last week, noting that the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel has become “a more proactive and data- driven advocate for Maryland’s utility customers,” since 2021 under Lapp’s leadership.

“His continued leadership will help ensure that Maryland consumers have a strong voice as the State works to advance an affordable and reliable energy system while meeting its economic and clean energy goals,” the letter reads.

Brown’s office posted Lapp’s job earlier this month, with an application deadline of Oct. 13.

Brown told Maryland Matters it wasn’t a statement about Lapp’s job performance. Rather, he just wanted to hold a competitive process, especially since Lapp was nominated by his predecessor.

Still, Lapp has received a chorus of support, including from Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Anne Arundel & Prince George’s) and more than 70 House Democrats.

But Lapp has received pushback this year from Senate President Bill Ferguson (D- Baltimore City), and the post is subject to confirmation in the Senate.

Longtime Annapolis fixture retires

Susan Lawrence, who’s been in state government service for more than three decades, including almost three years as a lobbyist with the University System of Maryland, will retire at the end of the year.

Lawrence said Thursday she’s leaving her current position as vice chancellor for government relations with the university system.

Chancellor Jay Perman wrote in a letter to system colleagues that announcing Lawrence’s departure “is hard to deliver and was hard to hear.”

“And given that we’re now gearing up for a challenging 2027 legislative session, it’s especially so,” Perman wrote. “Over Susan’s three years at the System Office, she’s been a highly respected and effective advocate for the USM, strengthening our relationships with policymakers, amplifying our voice in Annapolis and D.C., and securing meaningful outcomes for our universities and our people.”

Lawrence’s work includes 24 years in various positions in the General Assembly, where she was, among other positions, chief of staff to the chair of the Senate Finance Committee and legislative assistant for the Budget and Taxation Committee.

After she left the Senate, Lawrence began working in 2019 as director of government affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Perman announced Lawrence’s appointment to the lobbyist position in November 2023.

“I’ll miss Susan’s work and the obvious enthusiasm she has for it. I’ll miss her collaborative leadership and the strategy behind her every decision,” Perman wrote. I’ll miss her expansive connections that kept us tethered to those making the most consequential decisions affecting the System, our universities, our people, and our work.”

Perman expects to replace Lawrence before she leaves.