Senator Antonio Hayes was first elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018, and has represented the 40th Legislative District of Maryland since January 9, 2019. His legislative service prior to being elected State Senator was as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015-2019. He currently serves on the Finance Committee, Energy and Public Utilities Subcommittee, Executive Nominations Committee, the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, the Joint Committee on Federal Relations and Member of the Economic Development Committee of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Vice Chair of the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee. Through legislation he sponsored, the West North Avenue Development Authority was established in 2021 to work in coordination with residents to create a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy for an area that never fully recovered from the 1968 riots. Senator Hayes, along with community members, the President of Coppin University, Dr. Anthony Jenkins and other stakeholders serve on the Authority. His other public service includes membership on Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, the Pimlico Community Development Authority, the local (Video Lottery) Development Council, and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council. He is an active member of Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Baltimore, serving as member of the Board of Trustees, Senator Hayes is also an active matter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Baltimore Alumnae Chapter He is a native Baltimorean living most of his life in the district in which he serves. He is a graduate of Frostburg State University, with a B.S. in Political Science. His professional career includes serving as Legislative Aide to Delegate Salima Siler Marriott of Baltimore, Director of Legislative Affairs for Baltimore City Council President from 2003-2006. From 2007-2010, he served as Assistant Deputy Mayor of Administration. He currently serves in the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. Senator Hayes is married to Dr. Jenny Pena Dias and as of February 2022 they have a son, Antonio Agapito Hayes.