Annapolis, Md. — Sen. Arthur Ellis, a Democrat from Charles County, was absent from the Maryland Senate floor Monday night as lawmakers rushed to meet crossover deadline, instead attending the official kickoff for his bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.
The event took place in Indian Head, roughly an hour’s drive from the State House in Annapolis. Ellis’ campaign publicly noted his attendance at the twice-postponed gathering, which had been rescheduled once due to a snowstorm last month.
Ellis was not the only senator missing from the evening session that began at 7:14 p.m. Sens. Joanne C. Benson of Prince George’s County, Mary Dulany-James of Harford County and Bryan Simonaire of Anne Arundel County were also absent. However, Ellis was the only one whose campaign issued notice of his participation in a political event.
In a phone interview conducted more than two hours before the Senate convened, Ellis addressed the decision. “Every now and again you have to make sacrifices for the jobs you have coming on,” he said. “I did a lot of sacrifice in the military, a disabled veteran. Service of country. I’m still making sacrifices.”
Ellis formally entered the crowded Democratic primary for the 5th District seat, which covers parts of Southern Maryland including Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties as well as portions of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. Hoyer, who has represented the district for more than 40 years, announced he would not seek reelection. Hoyer endorsed Del. Adrian Boafo of Prince George’s County during a joint appearance on March 2.
The field of Democratic candidates has grown to about two dozen. In addition to Ellis and Boafo, prominent contenders include Del. Nicole Williams of Prince George’s County, Charles County Board of Commissioners President Reuben Collins II, Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay, former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III.
During Ellis’ absence, the Senate gave final approval to roughly two dozen bills on the second session of crossover day. Crossover day serves as the self-imposed deadline for legislation to pass one chamber and move to the other with a strong chance of receiving a hearing before the 90-day session ends in three weeks.
One measure that advanced Monday night was Senate Bill 165, sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Brooks of Baltimore County. The legislation would require landlords of properties served by on-site wastewater systems, such as septic systems, to ensure inspection and pumping before new tenants move in, in line with state environmental standards. The bill aims to protect waterways but drew debate over its necessity and practicality.
Sen. Jack Bailey, a Republican who represents Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, shared his background as a former sewage disposal contractor during nearly 30 minutes of discussion. “We all had a future before we came here and I actually was a sewage disposal contractor,” Bailey said. “And I’d say that it was pretty easy, you know, you had to go take a test and … you pretty much realized that it went downhill.” He explained that a failing system becomes evident when waste comes up instead of going down.
Debate on the bill spanned Friday and Monday. On Monday, after senators defeated an amendment from Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready and continued discussing another from Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, Sen. Brian Feldman, chair of the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, moved to recommit the bill. Feldman cited the availability of the cross-filed House version for further work.
“Mr. President, we have in our possession in the committee, the cross-file and I think that some of these issues we can engage in dialog on the cross-file, so I’d move to recommit this back to the committee at this point and then we’ll work off the cross-file and maybe work through some of these issues,” Feldman said.
Senate President Bill Ferguson agreed. “Given the timing, I think that probably makes more sense,” Ferguson responded.
Ellis has a history of drawing attention on the Senate floor. Earlier in the 2026 session he staged a one-man protest by refusing to register his presence during floor sessions while demanding a vote on congressional redistricting.
The 5th Congressional District race represents a significant opportunity for Southern Maryland leaders. The district includes key communities in Charles County, where Ellis serves as state senator. His campaign launch in Indian Head underscores local roots in a contest that will shape representation for the region in Washington.
Monday’s session highlighted the intense pace of the final weeks of the legislative calendar. With sine die set for April 13, bills that clear crossover gain priority for hearings in the opposite chamber, though the deadline is not absolute.
The crowded congressional primary adds another layer of political activity for area officials balancing state and federal ambitions. Ellis’ decision to prioritize the kickoff reflects the competing demands facing lawmakers in an election year.
Southern Maryland residents follow these developments closely as both state legislation on issues like septic systems and the open congressional seat carry direct implications for local infrastructure, environment and representation.
The Senate’s work continued without Ellis, advancing measures on a busy night while the Charles County senator formally stepped into the congressional arena.