Announcing The Duckpin 100 for 2023
For the second straight year, we try to list the 100 most important people in Maryland State Politics and Government
Last year, 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. So I decided to do it again for 2023
It is a list that is certain 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 comments 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 for 2023. Those names which are italicized are new additions for 2023.
Adam Jackson; CEO, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
Adrienne Jones; Speaker of the House
Alonzo Washington; Vice-Chair, House Ways and Means Committee
Andy Harris; Congressman
Angela Alsobrooks; Prince George's County Executive
Anthony Brown; Attorney General
Aruna Miller; Lt. Governor
Ben Barnes; Chair, House Appropriations Committee
Ben Cardin; U.S. Senator
Bill Ferguson; President of the Senate
Bob Cassilly; Harford County Executive
Brandon Scott; Mayor of Baltimore
Brian Feldman; Chair, Education, Energy and the Environment Committee,
Brooke Lierman; Comptroller
Brooks DuBose; Journalist, The Capital
Bruce Bereano; Lobbyist
Bryan Sears; Reporter, The Daily Record
Bunky Luffman; Director of Administration, Wicomico County
Calvin Ball; Howard County Executive
Carl Anderton; Delegate
Cheryl Bost; President, Maryland State Education Association
Chris Van Hollen; U.S. Senator
Chris West; State Senator
Chuck Jenkins; Frederick County Sheriff
Clarence Mitchell IV; WBAL Radio
Danielle Gaines; Reporter, Maryland Matters
Danielle Hornberger; Cecil County Executive
Danielle Veith; Chapter Leader, Moms Demand Maryland
David Brinkley; Former Secretary of Budget and Management
David Marks; Baltimore County Councilman
David Moon; Delegate
David Turner; Communications Director, Office of the Governor
Dereck Davis; State Treasurer
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
Eric Luedtke; Chief Legislative Officer
Evan Glass; President, Montgomery County Council
Fagan Harris; Chief of Staff to the Governor
Gerry Evans; Lobbyist
Glenn Ivey; Congressman
Guy Guzzone; Chair, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Hannah Marr; Strategic Communications Director, Strategic Partners
Hannah Powers Garagiola; Lobbyist
Heath Barnes; Burgess of Woodsboro
Ivan Bates; Baltimore City State's Attorney
Jake Day; Secretary of Housing & Community Development
Jake Weissmann; Assistant Chief Administration Officer, Montgomery County
Jamie Raskin; Congressman
Jason Buckel; House Minority Leader
Jazz Lewis; House Majority Whip
Jeff Salkin; MPT Host
Jessica Fitzwater; Frederick County Executive
Jheanelle Wilkins; Chair, Legislative Black Caucus
Johnny Olszewski; Baltimore County Executive
Josh Kurtz; Reporter, Maryland Matters
Joy Walker; Senate Administrator
Justin Ready; Senate Minority Whip
Larry Young; WOLB Radio
Laura Bogley-Knickman; Legislative Director, Maryland March for Life
Lauren Arikan; Delegate
Luke Clippinger; Chair, House Judiciary Committee
Marc Korman; House Majority Leader
Maria Sofia; 4th Vice-Chair, Maryland Federation of Republican Women
Mark Pennak; President, Maryland Shall Issue
Mary Beth Carozza; State Senator
Melanie Miller; Lobbyist
Melissa Deckman; Professor, Washington College
Melony Griffith; Chair, Senate Finance Committee
Michael Harrison; Baltimore City Police Commission
Michael Sanderson; Maryland Association of Counties
Mileah Kromer; Pollster, Goucher College
Mohammed Choudhury; State Superintendent of Schools
Morgan Streeter; House Administrator
Nic Kipke; Delegate
Nicole Bennett; 1st Vice-Chairman, Maryland Republican Party
Nicole Beus Harris; Republican Party Chairman
Olivia Wiggins; Reporter, Washington Post
Pamela Wood; Political Reporter, Baltimore Banner
Patrick Gonzales; Pollster
Paul Pinsky; Director, Maryland Energy Administration
Paul Wiedefeld; Secretary of Transportation
Rob Gargiola; Lobbyist
Robert Lang; Reporter, WBAL Radio
Sarah Elfreth; State Senator
Sean Johnson; Executive Director, MSEA
Sean Malone; Lobbyist
Sonja Santelises; CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools
Steny Hoyer; Congressman
Steuart Pittman; Anne Arundel County Executive
Steve Crim; Founder, Common Sense Maryland
Steve Hershey; Senate Minority Leader
Stewart Bainum; Publisher, Baltimore Banner
Todd Eberly; Professor, St. Mary's College of Maryland
Tom Coale; Attorney and Radio Host
Vaughn Stewart; Delegate
Victoria Gruber; Executive Director, Department of Legislative Services
Wes Moore; Governor
William Smith; Chair, Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee