Greg Wims

William Gregory Wims is an American politician and businessman currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 39. A member of the Democratic Party, Wims has a long history of community involvement and public service, which has shaped his political career and legislative priorities. He is recognized as the first descendant of enslaved people to be elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.

Early life and career

Greg Wims was born on September 2, 1949, in Bethesda, Maryland. He is the son of Rachel Stewart Wims and Earl Alexandir Wims, who worked as a laborer. Wims grew up in Stewart Town, a historically Black community located near Montgomery Village, Maryland. His family has deep roots in the area, with ancestral ties that date back to the post-slavery era. His great-great-grandfather was a freedman in Stewart Town, and his great-grandfather, Richard Stewart, was among the founders of the community. Wims has a strong familial connection to the region, with many relatives having lived near Clarksburg High School, which is situated on Wims Road, and Wilson Wims Elementary School, named in honor of one of his relatives.

Wims completed his secondary education at Gaithersburg High School, graduating in 1968. He pursued higher education at Montgomery College before transferring to Howard University. He later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Wims began his career in public service at a young age, working in the prison ministry at the county jail when he was just 17. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was elected to the Maryland Youth Commission, where he advocated for lowering the voting age in the state from 21 to 18. His early involvement in community and political issues laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

In the early 1970s, Wims was appointed by Montgomery County Executive James P. Gleason to the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission, where he served as the youngest member. His commitment to education and youth development was evident when he became the first male Head Start teacher in Montgomery County in 1974. Wims's political career continued to evolve as he joined the congressional campaign of U.S. Representative Newton Steers in 1976, ultimately becoming Steers's chief legislative officer. He was the first African American from Montgomery County to work on Capitol Hill, a position he held until 1978. Following this role, he served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Melvin H. Evans.

In 1980, Wims participated in the presidential campaign of former California Governor Ronald Reagan. He subsequently worked in the Reagan administration as a legislative assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture and as a Special Assistant to the Director of Minority Affairs and Economic Development until 1989. He then established his own government consulting firm, Hammer and Nails Inc.

Wims remained active in community organizations throughout the 1990s, serving as the membership chairman for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and later becoming the president of the Montgomery County NAACP in 1993. He advanced to the position of president of the state NAACP branch in 1995. His public service continued under President George W. Bush, who appointed him as a deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration and as a board member of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In the late 1990s, Wims worked as a liaison to Montgomery County's minority community for the Montgomery County Police Department. He was appointed executive director of the Montgomery Business Alliance and served as the membership director of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce in September 2000. Wims also explored a run for the Montgomery County Council seat in District 1 in early 2000, following the resignation of a councilmember.

Legislative service

Wims's legislative career began in earnest when he applied to fill a vacancy in the Maryland House of Delegates created by the resignation of Delegate Kirill Reznik in 2023. He won the nomination to serve in this role and was sworn in on May 2, 2023. His election marked a significant milestone as he became the first descendant of enslaved people elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. In January 2026, he was appointed as a deputy majority whip within the House.

Wims's political journey has included various affiliations and positions. In 1991, he identified as a "moderate conservative" within the Republican Party and supported the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas. However, his political alignment shifted over the years, and in 2020, he ran unsuccessfully for delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledging his support to former Vice President Joe Biden.

Policy focus and district

As a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Wims has focused on a range of legislative issues that reflect his commitment to social justice and community development. During the 2026 legislative session, he supported a significant bill aimed at raising the minimum wage in Maryland from $15 to $25 per hour, while also advocating for the elimination of all subminimum wages. This initiative underscores his dedication to improving economic conditions for workers in the state.

In addition to economic issues, Wims has introduced the Voting Rights Act, which seeks to establish state protections for minority voters in local elections. This legislation would empower the Maryland Attorney General to take legal action against practices that undermine minority voting power, demonstrating Wims's commitment to ensuring equitable access to the electoral process.

Wims's district, District 39, encompasses a diverse community with a variety of needs and interests. His legislative efforts are informed by his extensive background in public service and community involvement, which have equipped him with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by his constituents.

In his personal life, Wims has a daughter named Rachel Wims, who succeeded him as CEO of the Victims' Rights Foundation in January 2019. Wims's extensive experience in public service, coupled with his deep roots in the community, continues to shape his approach as a legislator in Maryland.