Report: Miller Names Robey Senate Majority Leader at Fundraiser

Senate President Mike Miller announced at a fundraiser in Howard County that Sen. James Robey (D-Dist. 13) will become Senate majority leader in the 2014 session—Robey's final session before he retires—according to Marylandreporter.com.

Miller will replace Sen. Rob Garagiola who vacated the position when he resigned in August, according to the report.

The announcement came as a surprise at a fundraiser for Howard County Del. Guy Guzzone (D-Dist. 13), who is running for Robey's seat after he retires. Miller added that Guzzone would fill Robey's seat on the Budget and Taxation Committee in 2015, meaning the Senate President is assuming not only that Guzzone will be elected in 2014, but that he will be re-elected for an 11th term, according to the report.

Robey, 72, announced in May he would retire from the General Assembly after the 2014 session. Robey served two terms as Howard County Executive from 1998 to 2006. He's also a former chief of the Howard County Police.

Robey started in public service as a police officer in 1966. In May, when he announced his retirement he said, "Forty-eight years in public service has been the best years of my life, but also the most draining."

Miller said he chose Robey for majority leader "to honor Senator Robey's service", according to the Maryland Reporter article.

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