A beloved Maryland state senator has been absent from the legislature for months

Since the first day of the current legislative session in Annapolis, Maryland, there’s been silence when the senator for District 24’s name is called.

According to committee attendance, votes and quorum reports reviewed by the News4 I-Team, Joanne C. Benson has missed every day of this session in Annapolis. Some constituents and fellow politicians have expressed concern over her failure to report to the legislature, and are concerned about their representation. 

One of the delegates in her district, Democrat Tiffany Alston, is among them.

“People want to make sure that she is taking the time she needs to take care of herself,” Alston said. “But people are concerned about what that means for them, their pocketbook issues.”

Alston is one of two people running to replace Benson in the state Senate, after Benson did not refile for office.

“I have asked the senator to consider submitting her resignation earlier than she may be prepared to do, but I also recognize and I am very respectful of the fact that that is a personal decision that only she can make,” Alston said. “I think it is something that she has to decide, because I would not want to see other people try and take the voice of District 24 away from us.”

For 35 years, Benson has represented the district that includes Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Seat Pleasant, and Landover. She did so first as a state delegate, then as a senator.

Now 85 years old, Benson told News4 it’s been challenging these last few months.

She lost two of her sisters last fall within weeks of each other. Then she had her own health challenges, including a surgery that she said requires extended recovery time.

Asked by phone whether she believes she will make it to Annapolis before the end of the legislative session on April 13, she said, “Yes, I am. As a matter of fact, I was supposed to go this week.”

Benson said she has no immediate plans to step down.

But if she does, she said, it will be well after the General Assembly’s 90 day session ends, and after June’s primary election — telling the I-Team she’s considering resigning in July.

Benson said she is waiting, in part, because she’s concerned that the Democratic central committee will appoint one of the current candidates to temporarily fill her seat — perhaps giving whoever they select the advantage of incumbency in the election.

“I don’t want it to be perceived that I, as the senator, I’m showing favoritism for one senator, for one candidate over the other,” Benson said.

Asked whether she planned to endorse one of the two candidates running, she said, “Not at this point.”

If Benson steps down from her office, Alston says she would definitely submit her name to the central committee.

“If she steps down, the way our process works is the central committee would appoint, and I would definitely submit my name,” Alston said. “But that’s a decision she has to make based on what she thinks is best for — really it should be what’s best for our constituents.”

The other candidate running to replace Benson is Kevin Ford. He declined an on camera interview, but released a statement to News4 addressing Benson’s absence:

“Senator Joanne Benson has dedicated decades of service to Prince George’s County and District 24 and she deserves our respect and gratitude for that service,” the statement reads in part. “I know she has been navigating several personal challenges and my thoughts remain with her and her family.”

In her absence, Benson has not able to vote on major legislation impacting her district, including its funding. News4 asked her if Alston’s concerns for voters was valid.

“Well, first of all, my track record speaks for itself,” Benson said. “There’s no earthly way that I would be allowed to stay in Prince George’s County representing these dear folks for 35 years if I wasn’t doing what I’m supposed to do.”

With one month left in the General Assembly session, Benson said she wants to get to Annapolis by next week.

Asked what should happen when something like the situation with Benson occurs, the Senate president’s office did not reply to requests for comment.