Melissa Wells

Melissa R. Wells is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 40. A member of the Democratic Party, she has been in office since 2019. Wells has a background in political science and public policy, and her professional career includes roles in various policy-related organizations. Throughout her legislative service, she has focused on a range of issues, including criminal justice reform, housing, environmental policy, and electoral reform.

Early life and career

Melissa Wells was born on October 3, 1983. She pursued higher education at the University of California at Riverside, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and law and sociology in 2006. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended American University, where she completed a Master of Arts degree in public policy in 2010.

After obtaining her master's degree, Wells began her professional career as a policy assistant at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a position she held until 2014. She then worked as a field advisor at Triple Point Interactions and as a program associate at PolicyLink until 2015. These roles provided her with valuable experience in policy analysis and advocacy, which would later inform her legislative work. Currently, she serves as the regional director of the Baltimore-DC Building Trades Union, where she is involved in labor relations and workforce development.

Legislative service

Wells was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019. Upon her entry into the legislature, she was appointed to the Environment and Transportation Committee, where she served until 2022. In this capacity, she contributed to discussions and decisions regarding environmental policies and transportation issues in Maryland. Following her tenure on that committee, she transitioned to the Ways and Means Committee, where she is expected to serve until 2025.

In December 2025, House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk appointed Wells as the chair of the newly established Labor, Elections, and Government Committee, a role that underscores her involvement in critical areas of governance and public policy. In addition to her committee assignments, Wells has held leadership positions within the House of Delegates. In November 2019, she ran for the position of assistant majority leader but was not elected. However, she has served as Deputy Majority Whip since 2020 and has held the position of chief deputy majority whip since 2023, indicating her growing influence within the legislative body.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her time in the Maryland House of Delegates, Wells has focused on various policy areas, reflecting her commitment to addressing the needs of her constituents and the broader Maryland community. In the realm of criminal justice and policing, she has taken a stance on issues such as police accountability and bias training. For instance, she voted against a bill that would have allowed Johns Hopkins University to establish its own private police force. Additionally, she introduced legislation aimed at requiring prosecutors to undergo implicit bias training and proposed a referendum to transfer control of the Baltimore Police Department back to the city.

Wells has also been active in advocating for electoral reform. In February 2026, she supported a congressional redistricting map designed to enhance the Democratic Party's chances in Maryland's 1st congressional district. This initiative was framed as a response to perceived federal policies that could negatively impact Maryland's workforce. Furthermore, she backed a bill to replace the existing process for filling vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly with special elections held concurrently with regular state primary elections.

Environmental issues have been another significant focus for Wells. During the 2022 legislative session, she expressed her concerns regarding the Climate Solutions Now Act, an omnibus bill aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While she ultimately voted for the bill, she did so with reservations, indicating that she believed it fell short in ensuring robust labor standards.

Housing policy has also been a critical area of engagement for Wells. She introduced legislation during the 2021 session to extend the state's eviction moratorium, which was initially put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation aimed to provide additional protections for tenants facing eviction during a time of economic uncertainty. In 2022, she further sought to empower judges to grant recesses in eviction proceedings to allow parties to seek legal representation.

Wells has addressed social issues as well, notably in the context of auto insurance. During the 2022 legislative session, she introduced a bill to prevent auto insurers from using policyholders' credit scores to determine insurance rates. Although the bill underwent significant amendments due to lobbying from the auto insurance industry, it passed the Maryland House of Delegates but did not advance in the Senate.

Transportation policy has also been part of her legislative agenda. In 2019, she introduced a bill aimed at capping fares for the Maryland Transit Administration, reflecting her commitment to making public transportation more affordable for residents.

Overall, Melissa Wells's legislative service has been characterized by her focus on a diverse array of policy issues, including criminal justice reform, electoral integrity, environmental sustainability, housing protections, and social equity. As a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, she continues to represent District 40 and engage with her constituents on matters of public concern.