Shaneka Henson

Shaneka Henson is an American politician and attorney currently serving as a member of the Maryland State Senate, representing the 30th district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has a background in local governance and legislative service, having previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates and as an alderwoman on the Annapolis City Council. Henson's political career is marked by her advocacy for various social issues, including maternal health, education reform, and electoral rights.

Early life and career

Shaneka Tarae Henson was born on July 29, 1983, in Annapolis, Maryland. She grew up in a religious household, as both her parents served as pastors at the New Life Presbyterian Church in Annapolis for a period of fifteen years. Henson's early life was shaped by her experiences in the community and her family's commitment to public service. At the age of 19, while attending Coppin State University, she became a mother and faced the challenges of raising a child while living in public housing. Despite these obstacles, Henson persevered in her education, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Coppin State University.

Following her undergraduate studies, Henson pursued a legal education at the University of Baltimore, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2010, marking the beginning of her career as a practicing attorney. Henson worked for the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's office and the YWCA, gaining valuable experience in the legal field. In 2020, she established her own law firm, Johnson Legal Group LLC, which allowed her to further her professional aspirations and serve her community through legal advocacy.

In 2016, Henson participated in a training program organized by Emerge Maryland, an initiative aimed at preparing women for public office. This experience would later influence her decision to enter politics, as she sought to make a difference in her community through elected service.

Legislative service

Henson's political career began with her election to the Annapolis City Council, where she represented Ward 6. In 2016, she filed to run for the council seat, successfully defeating her opponent in the Democratic primary with a significant majority of the vote. Following the retirement of the incumbent, Henson ran unopposed in the general election and was sworn in on December 4, 2017. During her time on the council, she was appointed as acting mayor for a brief period in October 2018, demonstrating her leadership capabilities within the city government.

In April 2019, following the death of House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Henson applied for a position in the Maryland House of Delegates. The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee nominated her to fill the vacancy, and she was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. Henson was sworn in on May 16, 2019, becoming the first African-American woman to represent Annapolis in the Maryland House of Delegates. She was subsequently elected to a full four-year term in 2022.

During her tenure in the House of Delegates, Henson served on the Appropriations Committee before transitioning to the Ways and Means Committee. Her committee assignments allowed her to engage with various legislative issues and contribute to the development of state policies. However, her time on the Appropriations Committee was marked by scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest related to her legal work for a nonprofit organization that received state funding. In April 2024, the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics issued a letter addressing these concerns, which led to discussions about her future committee assignments.

In November 2024, following the election of state senator Sarah Elfreth to the U.S. House of Representatives, Henson expressed her intention to apply for the remainder of Elfreth's term in the Maryland Senate. She campaigned on key issues such as maternal health, renter protections, and affordable childcare, receiving endorsements from various lawmakers. The Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee nominated Henson for the Senate seat in January 2025, and she was sworn in on January 8, 2025, becoming the first African-American woman to represent Anne Arundel County in the Maryland Senate.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her legislative career, Henson has focused on a variety of policy areas, reflecting her commitment to addressing the needs of her constituents. In the realm of criminal justice, she advocates for a comprehensive approach that considers socioeconomic factors alongside law enforcement strategies. During the 2020 legislative session, she introduced a bill aimed at freezing child support orders for parents serving prison sentences of six months or longer, which successfully became law. Additionally, she has worked on legislation related to the use of hearsay evidence in witness intimidation cases.

In education, Henson has shown support for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive education reform initiative. During the 2024 legislative session, she voted in favor of the Freedom to Read Act, which seeks to prevent the banning of books in public and school libraries. However, her questioning of the bill during committee discussions drew criticism, leading her to issue an apology to those who felt targeted by her inquiries.

Henson has also been an advocate for electoral reform. In July 2020, she criticized the requirement for voters to apply for mail-in ballots, arguing that it infringed upon voting rights. She introduced legislation to ban firearms at polling places and supported measures to ensure that all registered voters receive mail-in ballots automatically. In February 2026, she was one of two Democratic senators to vote against a bill aimed at preventing minority voter suppression in local elections, indicating her complex stance on electoral issues.

As a representative of the 30th district, Henson's work is informed by the diverse needs of her constituents, and she continues to engage with community members on various legislative matters. Her background as an attorney and her experiences as a public servant shape her approach to governance, as she seeks to address the challenges facing her district and the state of Maryland.