Announcing The Duckpin 100 for 2022

For the first time, we try to list the 100 most important people in Maryland State Politics and Government

This year, as we head into the General Assembly Session, I decided to do something different. I decided to quantify who, in my opinion, are the 100 most important people in Maryland State Politics and Government.

It is a list that is certainly to anger people and hopefully provoke conversation.

Let me assure you; just because somebody isn’t on the list doesn’t mean they are not important. If somebody is on the list doesn’t mean I agree with them or, more importantly, even like them. But what it does mean is that this person is one of the most important 100 people who are deciding policy, making policy, and making politics go in our state.

If you have questions or commentary on this list, I’d be happy to hear them and publish them. Email them to theduckpin@gmail.com.

And now, in alphabetical order by first name, I present The Duckpin 100.

• Adam Jackson; CEO, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle

• Adrienne Jones; Speaker of the House

• Allan Kittleman; Former Howard County Executive and Candidate for County Executive

• Alonzo Washington; Vice-Chair, House Ways and Means Committee

• Amelia Chasse Alcivar; Chief of Staff to the Governor

• Andy Harris; Congressman

• Angela Alsobrooks; Prince George's County Executive

• Anthony Brown; Congressman and Candidate for Attorney General

• Barry Glassman; Harford County Executive and Candidate for Comptroller

• Ben Cardin; U.S. Senator

• Bill Ferguson; President of the Senate

• Boyd Rutherford; Lieutenant Governor

• Brandon Scott; Mayor of Baltimore

• Brenda Thiam; Delegate

• Brian Feldman; Vice-Chair, Senate Finance Committee

• Brian Frosh; Attorney General

• Brooke Lierman; Delegate and Candidate for Comptroller

• Bruce Bereano; Lobbyist

• Bryan Sears; Reporter, The Daily Record

• Bunky Luffman; Activist and Special Advisor to the Secretary at Maryland Department of Natural Resources

• Carl Anderton; Delegate

• Cheryl Bost; President, Maryland State Education Association

• Cheryl Kagan; Vice-Chair, Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committe

• Chris Van Hollen; U.S. Senator

• Chuck Jenkins; Frederick County Sheriff

• Clarence Mitchell IV; WBAL Radio

• Danielle Gaines; Reporter, Maryland Matters

• Danielle Veith; Chapter Leader, Moms Demand Maryland

• David Brinkley; Secretary of Budget and Management

• David Moon; Delegate

• Delores Kelley; Chair, Senate Finance Committee

• Dennis Schrader; Secretary of Health

• Dereck Davis; State Treasurer

• Dirk Haire; Republican Party Chairman

• Douglass Mayer; Partner, Strategic Partners

• Dylan Goldberg; Activist and Assistant to the Chair, Hosue Judiciary Committee

• Ed St. John; Developer

• Erek Barron; U.S. Attorney for Maryland

• Gerry Evans; Lobbyist

• Guy Guzzone; Chair, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee

• Hannah Marr; Strategic Communications Director, Strategic Partners

• Hannah Powers Garagiola; Lobbyist

• Heather Mizeur; Candidate for Congress

• Jake Day; Mayor of Salisbury

• Jake Shade; Allegany County Commissioner

• Jake Weissmann; Assistant Chief Administration Officer, Montgomery County

• Jamie Raskin; Congressman

• Jason Buckel; House Minority Leader

• Jeff Salkin; MPT Host

• Jessica Haire; Anne Arundel County Councilwoman and Candidate for Anne Arundel County Executive

• Joe Getty; Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals

• John Martin; Director, State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency

• Johnny Olszewski; Baltimore County Executive

• Josh Kurtz; Reporter, Maryland Matters

• Joy Walker; Senate Administrator

• Justin Ready; Senate Minority Whip

• Karl Aro; Chairman, Maryland Legislative Redistricting Commission

• Keiffer Mitchell; Chief Legislative Officer & Senior Counsel to the Governor

• Kelly Schulz; Candidate for Governor

• Larry Hogan; Governor

• Larry Young; WOLB Radio

• Laura Bogley-Knickman; Legislative Director, Maryland March for Life

• Lauren Arikan; Delegate

• Luke Clippinger; Chair, House Judiciary Committee

• Maggie McIntosh; Chair, House Appropriations Committee

• Maria Sofia; 4th Vice-Chair, Maryland Federation of Republican Women

• Marilyn Mosby; Baltimore City State's Attorney

• Mark Pennak; President, Maryland Shall Issue

• Melanie Miller; Lobbyist

• Melissa Deckman; Professor, Washington College

• Michael Harrison; Baltimore City Police Commission

• Michael Hough; State Senator

• Michael Sanderson; Maryland Association of Counties

• Mike Ricci; Communications Director, Office of the Governor

• Mileah Kromer; Pollster, Goucher College

• Mohammed Choudhury; State Superintendent of Schools

• Nic Kipke; Delegate

• Ovetta Wiggins; Reporter, Washington Post

• Pamela Wood; Political Reporter, Baltimore Sun

• Patrick Gonzales; Pollster, Goucher College

• Paul Pinsky; Chair, Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee

• Peter Franchot; Comptroller and Candidate for Governor

• Rob Garagiola; Lobbyist

• Robbie Leonard; Maryland Democratic Party Secretary and Candidate for Baltimore County State’s Attorney

• Robert Lang; Reporter, WBAL Radio

• Ron Gunzburger; Special Advisor to the Governor

• Sarah Elfreth; State Senator

• Sean Johnson; Executive Director, Maryland State Education Association

• Sean Malone; Lobbyist

• Sonja Santelises; CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools

• Steny Hoyer; Congressman

• Steuart Pittman; Anne Arundel County Executive

• Stewart Bainum; Publisher, Baltimore Banner

• Todd Eberly; Professor, St. Mary's College of Maryland

• Tom Coale; Attorney and Podcaster

• Vaughn Stewart; Delegate

• Victoria Gruber; Executive Director, Department of Legislative Services

• Walter Olson; Co-Chair, Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission

• Wes Moore; Candidate for Governor

• William Smith; Chair, Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee