Mary-Dulany James

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Mary-Dulany James

|image = Mary-Dulany James (2008).jpg

|caption = James in 2008

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|02|01}}

|birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

| state_senate = Maryland

| district = 34th

| term_start = January 11, 2023

| term_end =

| predecessor = Christian Miele

| successor =

|state_delegate1 = Maryland

|district1 = 34A

|term_start1 = January 13, 1999

|term_end1 = January 13, 2015

|alongside1 = B. Daniel Riley (1999–2003, 2007–2011), Charles Boutin (1999–2005), and Glen Glass (2011–2015)

|predecessor1 = Mary Louise Preis

|successor1 = Mary Ann Lisanti

|constituency1 = Harford County, Cecil County

|party = Democrat

|father = William S. James

|residence = Maryland

|occupation = Attorney

|spouse = {{marriage|Brian Bruce Feeney|1989||reason=divorce}}

|children = 3

|alma_mater = University of Maryland, College Park (BS)
University of Maryland School of Law (JD)

|signature = Mary-Dulany James signature.svg

|website = [http://www.marydulanyjames.com/ Campaign website]}}

Mary-Dulany James (born February 1, 1960) is an American politician who has represented District 34 in the Maryland Senate since 2023. She was previously a member of the District 34A in the Maryland House of Delegates for sixteen years, representing Harford and Cecil Counties along the U.S. Route 40 corridor. Mary-Dulany James represented district 34A, formerly district 34, for 16 years having first been elected in 1998.

In 2014 and 2018, James unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland Senate in District 34. In 2022, she launched her third bid for the state senate seat, this time defeating Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities and former state delegate Christian Miele in the general election.

Early life and education

James was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to father William S. James, then a state senator for Harford County, and mother Margaret James, a homemaker.{{cite news |last1=Rasmussen |first1=Frederick N. |title=Margaret H. James, tended family's farm |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-03-21-0903200131-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 21, 2009 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033451/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-03-21-0903200131-story.html |url-status=live }} She grew up and still lives on her family's farm in Harford County, and attended Havre De Grace High School and the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned a B.S. in psychology with honors in 1981. James attended the University of Maryland School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree with honors in 1986. While studying for the bar exam, she clerked for Judge Edward Skottowe Northrop in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She was admitted to Maryland Bar in 1986. She worked for law firms in Baltimore, then set up her own practice in Harford County where she lived.{{cite web |title=Mary-Dulany James, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa02778.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=August 7, 2023 |date=July 28, 2023 |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807235725/https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa02778.html |url-status=live }}

Political career

=Maryland House of Delegates=

James ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1998, seeking to replace one of two outgoing state delegates in District 34 (Mary Louise Preis and Nancy Jacobs, both of whom ran for state senate).{{cite news |last1=Zorzi |first1=William F. Jr. |title=Harriet's List backs 6 Democrats Money: The abortion-rights PAC has selected six women to support in this year's General Assembly races and is looking for more candidates to endorse. The fund raising begins next week. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-06-23-1998174038-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 23, 1998 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033443/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-06-23-1998174038-story.html |url-status=live }} She won the Democratic primary with 22 percent of the vote, and later won the general election on November 3, 1998, with 18 percent of the vote. James was re-elected to the newly redistricted District 34A (Harford and Cecil counties){{cite web|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/map/html/map.html|title=LEGISLATIVE ELECTION DISTRICTS|publisher=Maryland Archives|access-date=2014-07-03|archive-date=2014-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905160136/http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/map/html/map.html|url-status=live}} Retrieved on July 3, 2014 in 2002, and was subsequently re-elected in 2006, and 2010.

==Committee assignments==

Member, Appropriations Committee, 1999-2014
oversight committee on personnel, 1999–2003
oversight committee on program open space & agricultural land preservation, 1999–2002
vice-chair, transportation & the environment subcommittee, 2003–2006, member, 1999–2006
chair, oversight committee on pensions, 2003–2006, member, 2003-2014
chair, health & human resources subcommittee, 2007-2014
Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Preservation, 2003–2015
Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 2003–Present, house chair, 2003–2006
Member, Joint Committee on Base Realignment and Closure, 2007–2011
Member, Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, 2003–07
Chair, Harford County Delegation, 2001–02, vice-chair, 1999–2000
Member, Maryland Green Caucus, 1999-2014
Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1999–2015, co-chair, legislative committee, 2005–2015
Member Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-2014
Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-2014
Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-2014
Member, National Conference of State Legislatures
Member, economic development, trade & cultural affairs committee, 2005–2007
Member, labor & economic development committee, 2007–2015

=Maryland Senate=

==Elections==

;2014

File:Maryland delegate tours ECBC for manufacturing initiative - 13088908293 (cropped).jpg

In June 2013, James said that she was considering a run for the Maryland Senate in District 34, after state senator Nancy Jacobs said she would not run for re-election in 2014.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=James considering run for Jacobs' seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-james-considering-run-for-jacobs-seat-20130618-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 18, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033439/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-james-considering-run-for-jacobs-seat-20130618-story.html |url-status=live }} At the time, James was the only Democratic member of the Harford County delegation.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=Harford legislators fighting to stop gun control bill |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gun-control-0306-20130306-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=March 6, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033438/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gun-control-0306-20130306-story.html |url-status=live }} James filed to run for the state senate seat in November 2013,{{cite news |last1=Lazarick |first1=Len |title=General Assembly contests: Monthly update on filings, announcements |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2013/11/05/general-assembly-contests-monthly-update-on-filings-announcements/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=November 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033442/https://marylandreporter.com/2013/11/05/general-assembly-contests-monthly-update-on-filings-announcements/ |url-status=live }} and faced former state senator Art Helton in the Democratic primary,{{cite news |title=Many Harford election races fill as 9 p.m. Tuesday deadline passes |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-update-0226-20140225-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033449/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-update-0226-20140225-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bauer-Wolf |first1=Jeremy |title=Campaign for Harford County Senate seat turns nasty |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2014/06/12/campaign-for-harford-county-senate-seat-turns-nasty/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102040448/https://marylandreporter.com/2014/06/12/campaign-for-harford-county-senate-seat-turns-nasty/ |url-status=live }} who she defeated in the June 2014 primary election by a 2-to-1 margin.{{cite news |last1=Zumer |first1=Bryna |title=James takes big lead over Helton for District 34 senate nomination |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-helton-james-result-0627-20140624-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=June 25, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033445/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-helton-james-result-0627-20140624-story.html |url-status=live }} She faced Republican challenger Bob Cassilly in the general election, and sought to position herself as an independent Democrat, noting her votes against gas- and sales-tax increases.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Familiar names vie for open Senate seat in Harford |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-md-harford-senate-20141010-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033457/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-md-harford-senate-20141010-story.html |url-status=live }} James was defeated by Cassilly in the general election on November 3, 2014, receiving 42.7 percent of the vote to Cassilly's 57.2 percent.

;2018

In 2018, James filed to run for the Maryland Senate in District 34, seeking a rematch between her and incumbent state senator Bob Cassilly.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |last2=Vought |first2=Allan |title=Harford candidates rush to file for primary election, Perrone challenges Glassman in GOP county executive primary |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-filings-20180227-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033441/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-filings-20180227-story.html |url-status=live }} She faced former state delegate Barbara Osborn Kreamer in the Democratic primary election,{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Candidate Filing Deadline: The Night of the Living Dead |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/02/28/candidate-filing-deadline-the-night-of-the-living-dead/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205034441/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/02/28/candidate-filing-deadline-the-night-of-the-living-dead/ |url-status=live }} which she won by a 3-to-1 margin. James lost to Cassilly in a tight general election on November 6, 2018, receiving 49.7 percent of the vote to Cassilly's 50.1 percent,{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=Incumbent Harford Del. Glen Glass anticipates defeat as challenger Steve Johnson's lead widens |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-harford-provisional-count-1116-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033446/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-harford-provisional-count-1116-story.html |url-status=live }} or by a 189 vote margin out of 48,788 votes cast.{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |title=With Absentee Ballots Counted, Democrats Run Up Their House Majority |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/11/18/with-absentee-ballots-counted-democrats-run-up-their-house-majority/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 18, 2018 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033438/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2018/11/18/with-absentee-ballots-counted-democrats-run-up-their-house-majority/ |url-status=live }}

;2022

In January 2022, James launched her third bid for the Maryland Senate in District 34, seeking to succeed state senator Bob Cassilly, who ran for Harford County executive in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Lisanti Enters Contested Race for Harford County Senate Seat |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/28/lisanti-enters-contested-race-for-harford-county-senate-seat/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 28, 2022 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033435/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/28/lisanti-enters-contested-race-for-harford-county-senate-seat/ |url-status=live }} She defeated state delegate Mary Ann Lisanti in the Democratic primary election on July 19, 2022, by a 2-to-1 margin, and faced Republican challenger Christian Miele in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Speaker’s preferred candidate leading in open-seat Senate race — plus, other Senate results |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/07/22/speakers-preferred-candidate-leading-in-open-seat-senate-race-plus-other-senate-results/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=July 22, 2022 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033443/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/07/22/speakers-preferred-candidate-leading-in-open-seat-senate-race-plus-other-senate-results/ |url-status=live }}

In the general election, James received financial support from President of the Maryland Senate Bill Ferguson and the Senate Democratic Caucus.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=With an eye toward the next four years, Ferguson raises money aggressively for himself and his colleagues |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/08/18/with-an-eye-toward-the-next-four-years-ferguson-raises-money-aggressively-for-himself-and-his-colleagues/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=August 18, 2022 |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223223703/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/08/18/with-an-eye-toward-the-next-four-years-ferguson-raises-money-aggressively-for-himself-and-his-colleagues/ |url-status=live }} She also accused her opponent, Republican Christian Miele, of being a carpetbagger, noting that he previously represented Baltimore County in the Maryland House of Delegates before moving to Harford County.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=A look at the latest fundraising in a dozen competitive legislative districts |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/09/01/a-look-at-the-latest-fundraising-in-a-dozen-competitive-legislative-districts/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 1, 2022 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131204132/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/09/01/a-look-at-the-latest-fundraising-in-a-dozen-competitive-legislative-districts/ |url-status=live }} James defeated Miele in a tight general election on November 8, receiving 50.55 percent of the vote to Miele's 49.24 percent, or by a margin of 591 votes out of 45,223 votes cast. She is the first Democrat to represent District 34 in the Maryland Senate since 1994.{{cite news |last1=Fontelieu |first1=Jason |title=Democrats gain a seat in Harford County delegation as James wins District 34′s Senate seat |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-democrat-harford-state-senate-james-20221123-ikouvpbedzfg7o7acfr2wos2xi-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2022 |work=The Aegis |date=November 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123210558/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-democrat-harford-state-senate-james-20221123-ikouvpbedzfg7o7acfr2wos2xi-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Dems take two more Senate seats, win Frederick County exec race |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/11/18/dems-take-two-more-senate-seats-win-frederick-county-exec-race/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 18, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208170414/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/11/18/dems-take-two-more-senate-seats-win-frederick-county-exec-race/ |url-status=live }} It was the closest race in the 2022 Maryland Senate election.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Ferguson rubs shoulders with $25K donors at Colorado ranch |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/11/01/ferguson-rubs-shoulders-with-25k-donors-at-colorado-ranch/ |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 2, 2024}}

==Tenure==

File:Senate JPR Testimony on Maryland Road Worker Protection Act (53546020298).jpg

James was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 11, 2023. She is a member of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and the Executive Nominations Committee.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Ferguson picks Griffith and Feldman to head two newly-reconstituted Senate panels; reshuffles committee rosters |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/12/21/ferguson-picks-griffith-and-feldman-to-head-two-newly-reconstituted-senate-panels-reshuffles-committee-rosters/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033443/https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/12/21/ferguson-picks-griffith-and-feldman-to-head-two-newly-reconstituted-senate-panels-reshuffles-committee-rosters/ |url-status=live }}

Political positions

While in the Maryland House of Delegates, James was considered a moderate to conservative Democrat. In January 2012, she formed a Blue Dog caucus in the state legislature along with other centrist Democratic members of the Maryland House of Delegates.{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Centrist House Democrats forming Blue Dog group |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-centrist-house-democrats-forming-blue-dog-group-20120112-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033444/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bal-centrist-house-democrats-forming-blue-dog-group-20120112-story.html |url-status=live }}

=Energy=

In February 2013, James voted for a bill that would allow a surcharge of up to $2 a month on residential natural gas bills to pay for new pipelines and distribution system upgrades. The bill passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a vote of 119-18, and later passed the state senate by a vote of 34-13.{{cite news |title=Natural gas fee supported by most Harford legislators |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gas-surcharge-0213-20130209-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=February 11, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033502/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gas-surcharge-0213-20130209-story.html |url-status=live }}

=Gun control=

During the 2013 legislative session, James was one of 18 Democratic state delegates to vote against the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=David |title=Harford GOP legislators, gun rights backers, candidates turn out for Bel Air rally Saturday |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gun-rally-0501-20130427-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033455/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-gun-rally-0501-20130427-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-of-delegates-voted-on-gun-control-legislation/2013/04/03/31c92cae-9c90-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 3, 2013 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114301/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-of-delegates-voted-on-gun-control-legislation/2013/04/03/31c92cae-9c90-11e2-9bda-edd1a7fb557d_story.html |url-status=live }}

=Healthcare=

In April 2014, James expressed concerns regarding the state's overhaul of its health exchange to adopt technology from Connecticut's health exchange program, saying that there were "huge budgetary implications" in switching to the Connecticut model.{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Meredith |last2=Cox |first2=Erin |last3=Walker |first3=Andrea K. |title=Maryland lawmakers cautious about new health exchange |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-exchange-second-try-20140405-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 5, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033442/https://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-exchange-second-try-20140405-story.html |url-status=live }}

=Social issues=

In 2005, James was one of 36 Democratic state delegates to vote for a bill that would legalize slot machines at four locations in the state. The bill passed the House of Delegates by a 71-66 vote.{{cite news |title=A Breakdown of the House Vote |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2005/02/26/a-breakdown-of-the-house-vote/87872357-f6f9-4233-9e01-a541854c5c3c/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=February 26, 2005}}

In 2006, James voted for a bill that would create a ballot referendum to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland. The bill failed to pass out of the Maryland House of Delegates on a 61-78 vote.{{cite news |last1=Brewington |first1=Kelly |title=House rejects reviving gay marriage measure |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-02-04-0602040186-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 4, 2006 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033436/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-02-04-0602040186-story.html |url-status=live }} In 2012, she voted against the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.{{cite news |title=How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-roll-call-20120217-story.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 18, 2012 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102191941/https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-roll-call-20120217-story.html |url-status=live }}

=Taxes=

In April 2004, James was one of two Democratic state delegates to switch their no votes to yes to revive a $1 billion tax plan proposed by Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Michael E. Busch, after House Appropriations Committee Chairman Norman Conway persuaded her to change her vote. She later defended her vote change, saying that she "thought it deserved a full hearing on the House floor".{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Tim |last2=Montgomery |first2=Lori |title=Busch's Bold Tax Plan Makes Heads Swim |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2004/04/01/buschs-bold-tax-plan-makes-heads-swim/863fd882-725a-453d-8595-debf70941b48/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=April 1, 2004}}

In November 2007, James voted for a bill that raised corporate and income taxes, and voted against another bill that increased the state sales tax, car tilting tax, and hotel tax.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Andy |title=Roll calls on House tax bills |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2007-11-roll_calls_on_house_tax_bills-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 13, 2007 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033453/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2007-11-roll_calls_on_house_tax_bills-story.html |url-status=live }}

In May 2012, James was one of 18 Democratic state delegates to vote against a bill that raised $300 million in tax hikes.{{cite news |last1=Lazarick |first1=Len |title=House passes final budget and tax hikes, with some Democrats opposed |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2012/05/16/house-passes-final-budget-and-tax-hikes-with-some-democrats-opposed/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=May 16, 2012 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033436/https://marylandreporter.com/2012/05/16/house-passes-final-budget-and-tax-hikes-with-some-democrats-opposed/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2013, James was one of 22 Democratic state delegates to vote against a bill that would raise the state's gas tax and index future increases to inflation to replenish the state's transportation fund.{{cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=John |title=How the Maryland House voted on transportation funding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-voted-on-transportation-funding/2013/03/22/8ac32056-9323-11e2-8ea1-956c94b6b5b9_story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208010905/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/how-the-maryland-house-voted-on-transportation-funding/2013/03/22/8ac32056-9323-11e2-8ea1-956c94b6b5b9_story.html |url-status=live }}

=Unions=

In March 2010, James said she opposed a bill that would give collective bargaining rights to librarians, saying that she thought it was inappropriate "for the state to be telling the local governments how to conduct themselves".{{cite news |last1=Lazarick |first1=Len |title=Counties resist union for librarians |url=https://marylandreporter.com/2010/03/10/counties-resist-union-for-librarians/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=MarylandReporter.com |date=March 10, 2010 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033439/https://marylandreporter.com/2010/03/10/counties-resist-union-for-librarians/ |url-status=live }}

Personal life

James married Brian Bruce Feeney on September 23, 1989.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-feeney-james-26-nov-1/166575775/ |title=Feeney-James |date=1989-11-26 |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |page=9F |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2025-02-24}}{{Open access}} They had three children and later divorced.{{cn|reason=We don't have a source on their divorcing|date=February 2025}} They lived together in Havre de Grace, Maryland.{{cite news |last1=Zumer |first1=Bryna |title=Harford's Lisanti runs for legislature; Jennings, Glass, McComas hope to keep seats |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-update-legislative-0221-20140220-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=February 20, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033443/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-election-update-legislative-0221-20140220-story.html |url-status=live }}

On September 30, 2018, James' daughter, Evelyn Ann James Feeney, suddenly died. This led to James stopping all campaign activities leading up to the general election.{{cite news |last1=Vought |first1=Allan |title=Final canvass doesn't change three close Harford County election races |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-harford-election-final-canvass-1121-story.html |access-date=January 1, 2023 |work=The Aegis |date=November 16, 2018 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033500/https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-harford-election-final-canvass-1121-story.html |url-status=live }}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 34 Democratic primary election, 1998{{cite web

| title = 1998 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = October 24, 2000

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/pahod.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = May 29, 2021

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20210529045049/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/pahod.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 4,775

|percentage = 22

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = B. Daniel Riley

|votes = 4,165

|percentage = 19

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robin Walter

|votes = 3,223

|percentage = 15

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Joseph H. Brooks

|votes = 3,082

|percentage = 14

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Joseph H. Brooks

|votes = 3,082

|percentage = 14

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Nicholas J. Paros

|votes = 2,979

|percentage = 14

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Judith Boardman Redding

|votes = 2,198

|percentage = 10

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dion F. Guthrie

|votes = 1,638

|percentage = 7

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 34 election, 1998{{cite web

| title = 1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = October 24, 2000

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/gahod.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = July 27, 2021

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210727105418/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1998/results_1998/gahod.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 18,357

|percentage = 18

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles Boutin

|votes = 17,844

|percentage = 18

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = B. Daniel Riley

|votes = 17,798

|percentage = 18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert E. Shaffner

|votes = 16,236

|percentage = 16

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robin Walter

|votes = 15,370

|percentage = 15

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael Griffin

|votes = 15,207

|percentage = 15

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 34A election, 2002{{cite web

| title = 2002 Gubernatorial General - Official Results

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = December 2, 2002

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2002/results/g_ld34a.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = May 29, 2021

| archive-url = https://archive.today/20210529045445/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2002/results/g_ld34a.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles Boutin (incumbent)

|votes = 11,182

|percentage = 34.79

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James (incumbent)

|votes = 10,947

|percentage = 34.06

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = B. Daniel Riley (incumbent)

|votes = 9,957

|percentage = 30.98

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 59

|percentage = 0.18

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 34A election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 34A

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_34A.html

| access-date = 2023-01-02

| archive-date = 2023-01-02

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033442/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/legislative_district_34A.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James (incumbent)

|votes = 12,903

|percentage = 31.7

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = B. Daniel Riley

|votes = 11,121

|percentage = 27.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Glen Glass

|votes = 8,554

|percentage = 21.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Sheryl Davis Kohl (incumbent)

|votes = 8,085

|percentage = 19.9

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 22

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 34A election, 2006{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01634A.html

| access-date = 2023-01-02

| archive-date = 2022-10-14

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221014222326/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_01634A.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James (incumbent)

|votes = 12,639

|percentage = 29.2

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Glen Glass

|votes = 10,931

|percentage = 25.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Patrick McGrady

|votes = 9,889

|percentage = 22.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Marla Posey-Moss

|votes = 9,745

|percentage = 22.5

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 51

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 Democratic primary election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = July 16, 2014

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01534.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033442/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01534.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 4,705

|percentage = 61.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Arthur Henry Helton, Jr.

|votes = 2,997

|percentage = 38.9

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = December 2, 2014

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01534.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033442/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01534.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Cassilly

|votes = 22,042

|percentage = 57.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 16,459

|percentage = 42.7

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 62

|percentage = 0.2

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 Democratic primary election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = July 31, 2018

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01534.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = January 29, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230129123347/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/Primary/gen_results_2018_1_01534.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 5,812

|percentage = 74.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Barbara Osborn Kreamer

|votes = 2,027

|percentage = 25.9

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = December 11, 2018

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01534.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033441/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01534.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Cassilly (incumbent)

|votes = 24,445

|percentage = 50.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 24,256

|percentage = 49.7

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 87

|percentage = 0.2

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 Democratic primary election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = August 24, 2022

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_6_34.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = February 2, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230202010540/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_6_34.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 6,598

|percentage = 65.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Maryland Democratic Party

|candidate = Mary Ann Lisanti

|votes = 3,453

|percentage = 34.4

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland Senate District 34 election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| date = December 7, 2022

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_34.html

| access-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-date = January 2, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230102033443/https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_6_34.html

| url-status = live

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary-Dulany James

|votes = 22,858

|percentage = 50.55

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Christian Miele

|votes = 22,267

|percentage = 49.24

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 98

|percentage = 0.22

}}

References

External links

[http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?stab=01&pid=sponpage&id=james&tab=subject6&ys=2014RS Legislative homepage]
[http://www.marydulanyjames.com/ Campaign website]
[https://www.facebook.com/MaryDulanyJamesForSenate2014 Facebook Page]
[https://twitter.com/MaryDulanyJames Twitter @MaryDulanyJames]

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Baltimore

Category:People from Harford County, Maryland

Category:Maryland lawyers

Category:Women state legislators in Maryland

Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni

Category:University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law alumni

Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:Democratic Party Maryland state senators

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:20th-century American women politicians

Category:20th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly

Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly