Mary Ann Lisanti

Mary Ann Lisanti
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 34A district
In office
January 13, 2015 – January 11, 2023
Serving with Glen Glass (2015–2019) Steven C. Johnson (2019–2023)
Preceded byMary-Dulany James
Succeeded byAndre Johnson Jr.
ConstituencyHarford County
Member of the Harford County Council
District F
In office
December 4, 2006 – December 1, 2014
Preceded byCecilia M. Stepp
Succeeded byCurtis L. Beulah
Personal details
Born (1967-10-27) October 27, 1967
Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Alma materCollege of Notre Dame of Maryland (B.A.)
Central Michigan University (M.S.)
ProfessionExecutive director
WebsiteCampaign website
Facebook page

Mary Ann Lisanti (born October 27, 1967) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party, who represented District 34A in the Maryland House of Delegates. Previously she represented district F on the Harford County Council, representing Havre de Grace, Abingdon, Belcamp/Riverside and Aberdeen Proving Ground.[1] In January 2014 Lisanti filed to run for the Maryland House of Delegates and to not seek a 3rd term on the County Council.[2] She was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. Before her tenure in the state legislature, she served on the Harford County Council.[3] In early March 2019, the House of Delegates unanimously censured Lisanti for a racial slur directed at the African-American majority Prince George's County, with her own county's Democratic Party calling for her resignation.[4]

Early life and education

Lisanti was born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland. She attended Havre de Grace High School, where she was involved in student government.[5] She later earned an undergraduate degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland[6] and a master's degree from Central Michigan University.[7]

Career

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway

Before entering elected office, Lisanti served as executive director of the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (LSHG), a nonprofit heritage organization serving Harford and Cecil counties.[8][9] During her tenure, LSHG secured grant funding for heritage and preservation initiatives.[10] In July 2010, the organization received more than $350,000 in grants, including $231,000 in matching funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority to support management, marketing, and preservation projects.[11]

Lisanti promoted the development of a 40-mile trail network along the Susquehanna River to connect historic sites and encourage heritage tourism in the region.[12] She also pursued a $4 million federal grant to support trail building and community linkage.[13]

Under her leadership, LSHG participated in multiple preservation projects, including restoration work at Rodgers Tavern in Perryville, a historic 18th-century structure that received grants from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and Maryland General Assembly.[14][15] The organization also conducted research and mapping of historic canal remnants along the Lower Susquehanna to document and preserve 18th- and 19th-century infrastructure.[16] In April 2013, Lisanti organized the 13th annual River Sweep cleanup, which brought together nearly 300 volunteers to remove debris along the river.[17]

Harford County Council (2006–2014)

Before her election to the Maryland House of Delegates, Lisanti served two terms on the Harford County Council.[3] Lisanti won election to the council and was sworn into office in December 2006 at a ceremony held at Harford Community College, alongside fellow new council members including James McMahan representing District A (Northern Harford County).[18]

During her tenure on the County Council, Lisanti served on several committees, including the Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Board by President Barack Obama and the County Horse Park Task Force, among others.[19][20] Maryland Governors Martin O'Malley and Larry Hogan appointed her as Vice Chairman of the State's Growth Commission. Additionally, she chaired the Local Government Advisory Committee, which provided recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).[1][21]

Lisanti focused on fiscal oversight, questioning the creation of a $10.3 million retiree trust fund in 2008 and opposing cost-of-living and salary increases for elected officials in 2011.[22][23] She voted against wind-energy system legislation in 2009 and opposed tax increment financing for the Beechtree Estates development in 2010.[24]

On October 18, 2011, Lisanti introduced Resolution No. 28-11 establishing the Harford County Obesity Task Force, recognizing obesity as a public health concern and leading to a final report with nine recommendations developed by community subcommittees focused on healthy food access, the built environment, and public engagement.[25] In 2012, she strongly opposed a proposed Walmart in Abingdon, supporting a council resolution requesting the state deny road access to the site.[26] Lisanti also publicly opposed marijuana legalization in 2014.[27]

Lisanti won re-election in 2010,[28] but did not seek a third term in 2014; instead, she ran for the Maryland House of Delegates.[29] Beyond government service, Lisanti founded Transition Maker, LLC, a consulting firm.[30]

2014 Maryland State Delegate candidacy

Lisanti entered the race for Delegate in district 34A after much speculation that she might run for the seat left open when Delegate Mary-Dulany James decided to run for Maryland State Senate.[2] On June 24, 2014, Lisanti led the Democratic primary by nearly 10 percentage points, with Marla Posey-Moss coming in second, after a heavily contested race with five candidates vying for two seats. Lisanti and Posey-Moss faced Republicans Glen Glass and Mike Blizzard in the General election in November.[31] Glass and Lisanti finished 1 and 2, thus gaining election.[32]

Maryland House of Delegates

Lisanti was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014 and began serving in the 2015 legislative session. During her tenure, she was involved in various legislative initiatives and initially served on the Economic Matters Committee before being appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee in 2019. She also held leadership roles, including serving as Chair of a subcommittee and as Joint-Chair of the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee.[1]

She was a member of multiple caucuses and task forces, including the Maryland Cyber Security Council,[33] Rural Maryland Council, and the Veteran's Caucus.

2022 Maryland State Senate candidacy

On January 28, 2022, Lisanti entered the race for State Senate in District 34, seeking to succeed Senator Robert G. Cassilly,[34] who announced his candidacy for Harford County executive in April 2021.[35] Lisanti lost the Democratic primary to Mary-Dulany James.[36]

Censure

On February 26, 2019, The Washington Post reported that Lisanti referred to a legislative district in Prince George's County, Maryland as a "n----- district" [thus in the original] in conversation with another Democratic legislator.[4] She was removed as the chair of a subcommittee.[4] Two days later she was unanimously censured by the House of Delegates in a 136–0 vote, but refused to resign her seat.[37] On March 2, 2019, the Harford County Democratic Central Committee called for Lisanti to resign for using the racial slur.[38]

Election results

  • 2006 Primary Election Results Harford County Council – District F[39]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem. 1,898   64.6%    Won
Gunther Hirsch, Dem. 1,057   35.8%    Lost
  • 2006 General Election Results Harford County Council – District F[40]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary Ann Lisnati, Dem. 7,433   60.3%    Won
John P. Correri, Jr., Rep. 4,877   39.6%    Lost
Write-Ins 13   0.1%    Lost
  • 2010 General Election Results Harford County Council – District F[28]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem. 7,167   51.8%    Won
Sheryl Davis Kohl, Rep. 6,646   48.1%    Lost
Write-Ins 16   0.1%    Lost
  • 2014 Primary Election Results Maryland House of Delegates – District 34A – Harford County[41]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem. 2,473   29.0%    Won
Marla Posey-Moss, Dem. 1,895   22.2%    Won
Pat Murray., Dem. 1,784   20.9%    Lost
Steve Johnson, Dem. 1,574   18.4%    Lost
Maria Terry, Dem. 812   9.5%    Lost
  • 2014 General Election Results Maryland House of Delegates – District 34A – Harford County[32]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Glen Glass, Rep. 10,779   28.41%    Won
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem. 10,015   26.40%    Won
Mike Blizzard, Rep. 9,041   23.83%    Lost
Marla Posey-Moss, Dem. 8,057   21.24%    Lost
Write-Ins 49   0.13%    Lost
  • 2018 Primary Election Results Maryland House of Delegates – District 34A – Harford County[42]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem 3,794 46.8%    Won
Steve Johnson, Dem 2,190 27.0%    Won
Sarahia Benn, Dem 2,123 26.2%    Lost
  • 2022 Primary Election Results Maryland Senate – District 34[43]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Mary-Dulany James, Dem 6,598 65.65%    Won
Mary Ann Lisanti, Dem 3,453 34.35%    Lost

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mary Ann Lisanti, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Zumer, Bryna (February 20, 2014). "Harford's Lisanti runs for legislature; Jennings, Glass, McComas hope to keep seats". The Aegis. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Del. Mary Ann Lisanti Apologizes After Allegedly Using N-Word To Describe Prince George's County". CBS Baltimore. February 26, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Maryland delegate Mary Ann Lisanti loses leadership post over racial slur". NBC News. Associated Press. February 26, 2019.
  5. ^ "Official recognition given for accomplishments of HHS senior". The Aegis. Bel Air, Maryland. June 6, 1985. p. 22. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  6. ^ "More leadership roles for Mary Ann Lisanti". The Aegis. November 28, 1985. p. 14. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ McBride, Jessica (February 26, 2019). "Mary Ann Lisanti: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy Sports.
  8. ^ Zumer, Bryna (June 10, 2016). "Harford, Cecil asked to support transfer of Garrett Island to National Park Service". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  9. ^ Zumer, Bryna (September 13, 2013). "Harford County wants to buy HdG land". The Aegis. p. 4. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "Susquehanna Greenway receives tourism grants". The Baltimore Sun. August 2, 2013. p. 7. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Thompson, L'Oreal (July 30, 2010). "$350,000 in grants for Greenway: Funding to help with Rodger's Tavern restoration, Decoy Museum". The Record. p. 24.
  12. ^ Hare, Mary Gail (March 9, 2008). "Group proposes river trial network". The Baltimore Sun. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Konopacki, Rachel (September 5, 2008). "Making connections: Miles to go before Susquehanna trial is complete". The Aegis. p. 16. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Bellmyer, Jane (July 14, 2010). "Grants allow Rodgers Tavern renovations to proceed". Cecil Whig.
  15. ^ "Perryville's historic Rodgers Tavern to be restored". The Baltimore Sun. July 13, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  16. ^ Aldon, Jessica (October 18, 2004). "Mapping hidden canals". The Record. pp. 3A.
  17. ^ "Nearly 300 sweep river banks". The Aegis. April 26, 2013. p. 15. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Robbins, Lindsey (December 6, 2006). "Harford installs leaders: Ceremony starts new era". The Aegis. Bel Air, Maryland. p. A1.
  19. ^ "Trail Advisory Council Appointed – Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
  20. ^ Robbins, Lindsey (August 10, 2007). "Group to study horse park feasibility: 7 appointed to task force". The Aegis.
  21. ^ "EPA Makes Available $4 Million In New Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding". paenvironmentdigest.com.
  22. ^ Robbins, Lindsey (April 16, 2008). "County plans fund for retired employees: $10.3 million transfer requested". The Aegis.
  23. ^ "Council on board with limiting raises". The Aegis. February 17, 2010. p. A1.
  24. ^ Thompson, L'Oreal (June 5, 2009). "Wind power blowing in". The Record. p. 7.
  25. ^ Harford County Health Department (2012). "Harford County Obesity Task Force Final Report to Harford County Council". Harford County, MD. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  26. ^ Zumer, Bryna (October 5, 2012). "Harford council asks state to block Walmart". The Aegis. p. A3.
  27. ^ Zumer, Bryna (March 14, 2014). "Harford leaders oppose legalization of marijuana". The Aegis. p. 4. Retrieved November 6, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b "Harford County General Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  29. ^ "Election races are on in Harford, Cecil, as filing deadline passes". The Record. February 28, 2014. p. 5.
  30. ^ Media, Baltimore Sun (May 18, 2022). "2022 Voter Guide: Mary Ann Lisanti, candidate for Maryland Senate District 34". Baltimore Sun.
  31. ^ Zumer, Bryna (June 25, 2014). "Glass leads Republican race for District 34A delegates; Lisanti tops Democrats". The Aegis. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates, Legislative District 34A". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  33. ^ "Maryland Cybersecurity Council Activities Report" (PDF). umgc.edu.
  34. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Kurtz, Josh (January 28, 2022). "Lisanti Enters Contested Race for Harford County Senate Seat". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  35. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 28, 2021). "Sen. Cassilly Jumps Into Race for Harford County Executive". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  36. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  37. ^ Collins, David (February 28, 2019). "House votes to censure Lisanti; Delegate refuses to resign; Harford County Democrat used racial slur to describe Prince George's County district". WBAL-TV. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  38. ^ Anderson, David (March 2, 2019). "Harford County Democratic Central Committee calls for Del. Lisanti to resign for racial slur". The Aegis.
  39. ^ "Harford County Council Primary Results" (PDF). Harford County Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  40. ^ "Harford County General Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  41. ^ "State Delegate Primary Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  42. ^ "2018 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  43. ^ "2022 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
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