Former Maryland District 20 Delegate Sheila Hixson died Sunday evening. She was 89.
She was the longest serving woman in the Maryland General Assembly and the first woman to chair the Ways and Means Committee.
“We are filled with sadness to share news of the loss last night of our beloved friend and mentor,” said U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Sen. Will Smith and Delegates Lorig Charkoudian, David Moon and Jheanelle Wilkins in a joint statement.
“Sheila was a trailblazer in Maryland politics and government,” the legislators said.
Hixson, a Democrat, was a former staffer at the Democratic National Committee. She was “always working pragmatically for progressive change,” they said in the statement. She “advocated for gun safety, the rights of same-sex marriage, repeal of the death penalty and progressive tax policy for many decades before any of these causes were popular or easy,” the legislators said.
“We are grateful for her impassioned life of service and her enduring contributions to the dynamic political culture of District 20, where her Breakfast Club was always the center of the action, the good-government politics of Montgomery County and progressive legislative change in the state of Maryland,” the noted in the statement.
“Sheila believed in the power of government to be an instrument of common prosperity and the agent of excellent constituent service. She listened to and valued the voice of the people. May her example of passionate commitment to the people always be our guide in our community and may her sparkling memory always be a blessing to her family and friends and those who love her.”
Brooke Lierman, who is running for Maryland comptroller, tweeted, “I’m so sorry to hear of former Delegate Sheila Hixson‘s passing – and feel so lucky & so honored to have had the chance to serve with her. She was a fascinating person & strong leader and I value the lessons I learned from serving with her. #RIP
Hixson, of Silver Spring, was a state delegate from 1976 until her retirement in 2018.
Shaken and saddened by the loss of my dear friend and D20 mentor Delegate Sheila Hixson. She was a force of pure positivity and joy in MD politics. My thoughts are with her beautiful family during this time. Sheila would say: go vote! https://t.co/TyMsEwHOIj
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) November 7, 2022
Profoundly saddened to learn that @delsheilahixson passed away last night. She was a mentor and a dear friend – she was family. May her example be our guide in our community and may her sparkling memory always be a blessing to her family and friends and those who love her. pic.twitter.com/8i15zd8rz9
— Senator Will Smith (District 20) (@Willcsmithjr) November 7, 2022
I am so sad to hear of the passing of the incomparable Delegate & Chair Sheila Hixson. I am honored to have had a chance to know & learn from her & to serve in the seat she once held.
Statement from @RepRaskin @Willcsmithjr @DavidMoon2014 @JheanelleW & me:https://t.co/zrHMxVATSM pic.twitter.com/jHORVCZDGC— Lorig Charkoudian (@LCharkoudian) November 7, 2022
