Annapolis, MD — Governor Wes Moore on January 12, 2026, appointed Darrell C. Odom, Sr. to represent District 27A in the Maryland House of Delegates, filling a vacancy in the district that spans portions of Prince George’s and Charles counties in Southern Maryland. The appointment is one of three announced by the governor, alongside Gabriel M. Moreno to District 13 in Howard County and Derrick L. Coley to District 24 in Prince George’s County.
Moore stated, “Gabriel Moreno, Derrick Coley, and Darrell Odom, Sr. will bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to public service to the Maryland House of Delegates. Each of these leaders has a proven track record—from empowering vulnerable communities and serving in vital county government roles to protecting our state and nation. These are dedicated public servants, and I am grateful that they each raised their hands to represent their districts in Annapolis.”
Odom, Sr. brings extensive experience in emergency services and military leadership to the role. He served with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department from 1980 to 2004, advancing from firefighter to lieutenant colonel and deputy fire chief. He retired as the department’s acting fire chief, overseeing daily operations and implementing the Fire/EMS Paramedic Ambulance program, which reduced response times and enabled countywide dispatch of emergency medical paramedics.
Odom also completed a 31-year military career, including two years of active duty in the U.S. Army assigned to Germany and 29 years in the U.S. Coast Guard active and reserve components. He retired as a master chief maritime enforcement specialist and served as reserve command master chief for the Deployable Operations Group, managing activities of more than 1,200 reservists across 27 specialized units.
Educationally, Odom holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an associate degree from Prince George’s Community College. He is a graduate of the National Defense University’s Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course.
District 27A includes southern portions of Prince George’s County and northern areas of Charles County, covering communities such as parts of Clinton, Brandywine and Waldorf. The appointment allows Odom to serve for the remainder of the current term, with the next election scheduled for November 2026. The House of Delegates consists of 141 members, and District 27A elects one delegate.
The governor’s appointments reflect a focus on public safety, emergency response and community leadership in filling legislative vacancies. Odom’s background in fire and EMS services aligns with ongoing regional priorities in Southern Maryland, where fire departments and paramedic programs play critical roles in rural and suburban response areas. No additional details on the specific vacancy in District 27A, such as the prior delegate’s departure, were included in the announcement.
These appointments take effect immediately, enabling the new delegates to participate in the ongoing 2026 legislative session in Annapolis.
