{{Short description|American politician (born 1977)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Antonio Hayes | image = Antonio Hayes Aug2023.jpg | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|12|9}} | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | alma_mater = Frostburg State University | state_senate = Maryland | district = 40th | term_start = January 9, 2019 | predecessor = Barbara A. Robinson | state_delegate1 = Maryland | district1 = 40th | term_start1 = January 14, 2015 | term_end1 = January 9, 2019 | alongside1 = Barbara A. Robinson, Frank M. Conaway Jr., and Nick Mosby | predecessor1 = Shawn Z. Tarrant | successor1 = Melissa Wells | party = Democratic | signature = Antonio Hayes signature.svg }} '''Antonio Lamar Hayes''' (born December 9, 1977) is an American politician who represents the 40th legislative district of Baltimore in the Maryland Senate. He previously represented the 40th district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2019.
== Background == [[File:Mayor dixon at delegation meeting.jpg|thumb|right|Hayes at a hearing in Annapolis with Mayor Sheila Dixon in 2009]] Hayes was born in Baltimore.<ref name="msa" /> He was raised by his grandmother<ref name="PFL 2020" /> and grew up in Baltimore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |last2=Shwe |first2=Elizabeth |title=Analysis: How Could Wes Moore's Origin Story Impact Primary Race? |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/15/analysis-how-could-wes-moores-origin-story-impact-primary-race/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> He attended Frostburg State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 2000.<ref name="msa">{{cite web |title=Antonio L. Hayes, Maryland State Senator |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa17079.html |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=February 1, 2023 |date=January 24, 2023}}</ref>
Since 2010, Hayes has served as the Chief of Staff of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perl |first1=Larry |title=Antonio Hayes a new face in the 40th District |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/ph-ms-antonio-hayes-0814-20140812-story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>
== In the legislature == thumb|Hayes in the Senate Finance Committee, 2025 In 2014, Hayes defeated two-term incumbent Shawn Z. Tarrant to win a seat in the House of Delegates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=Some incumbents trailing in high-profile General Assembly races |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bs-md-assembly-primary-20140624-story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> He was sworn in on January 14, 2015.<ref name="msa" />
On July 29, 2017, Hayes announced his bid for State Senate, challenging appointed state Senator Barbara A. Robinson for the seat formerly held by Mayor Catherine Pugh.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dresser |first1=Michael |title=Delegate Hayes, other young challengers eye Baltimore Senate seats |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-hayes-robinson-20170727-story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Del. Hayes to Take on Sen. Robinson in Baltimore City Primary |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2017/07/28/del-hayes-to-take-on-sen-robinson-in-baltimore-city-primary/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=July 28, 2017}}</ref> He defeated Robinson in the Democratic primary, earning 65.4 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hernández |first1=Arelis |last2=McCartney |first2=Robert |last3=Wiggins |first3=Ovetta |title=Ben Jealous wins Maryland primary, vows to topple Republican Gov. Larry Hogan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-democrats-choose-between-insurgents-and-party-establishment-in-crowded-primary/2018/06/26/a3aabc9a-77a8-11e8-80be-6d32e182a3bc_story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> He ultimately won the general election unchallenged<ref name="2018g" /> and took office on January 9, 2019.<ref name="msa" />
Following the death of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings in October 2019, Hayes was seen as a possible candidate in the subsequent special election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Who Comes After Cummings in Maryland's 7th District? |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/10/18/who-comes-after-cummings-in-marylands-7th-district/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=Who might run for Rep. Elijah Cummings' seat? His wife Maya, Marilyn Mosby, Kweisi Mfume among possibilities |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-cummings-seat-20191019-23ix2zwgqna2vfedmaw63mazxy-story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pathé |first1=Simone |title=Who could succeed Elijah Cummings in Congress? |url=https://rollcall.com/2019/10/17/who-could-succeed-elijah-cummings-in-congress/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Roll Call |date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Later that month, he said that he would not run for the seat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=Elijah Cummings' widow weighs run for congressional seat; former Rep. Kweisi Mfume to announce plans Monday |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-ci-branch-congress-20191031-a3dxb7wqjvdldcwaqgzsh27e7q-story.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 31, 2019}}</ref>
In 2020, Hayes ran for national delegate pledged to Joe Biden in Maryland's 7th congressional district at the Democratic National Convention. He won the primary election, receiving 18.4 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Male Delegates to the Democratic National Convention |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/primary/gen_results_2020_3_054X.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 15, 2022 |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> He also served as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/07/22/meet-the-maryland-delegates-to-the-democratic-national-convention/ |access-date=July 22, 2024 |work=Maryland Matters |date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
===Committee assignments=== * Member, Finance Committee, 2019–present (energy & public utilities subcommittee, 2019–present) * Member, Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2019–present * Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Behavioral Health and Opioid Use Disorders, 2019–present * Member, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2020–present * Member, Executive Nominations Committee, 2021–present * Member, Health and Government Operations Committee, 2015–2019 (government operations & long-term care subcommittee, 2015–2017; health facilities & occupations subcommittee, 2015–2017; government operations & estates & trusts subcommittee, 2017–2019; health facilities & pharmaceuticals subcommittee, 2017–2019) * Member, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2015–2019 * Member, Public Safety and Policing Work Group, 2015–2016 * Member, Affordable Care Act Work Group, 2018 * Member, Opioid Work Group, 2018
===Other memberships=== * Chair, Baltimore City Senate Delegation, 2019–2020 * Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2015–present * Vice-Chair, Democratic Party Caucus, 2020–present<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=Senate Leadership Team Gets Younger as Ferguson Reveals Picks |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/12/12/senate-leadership-team-gets-younger-as-ferguson-reveals-picks/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
== Political positions == === Education === During the 2026 legislative session, Hayes introduced a bill that would allow the mayor of Baltimore to appoint members to Baltimore's school board with advice and consent of the Maryland Senate, replacing the current process that restricts school board appointments to a preapproved slate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowie |first1=Liz |title=Who should pick the members of the city school board? |url=https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/baltimore-school-board-appointments-legislation-Y2EAGJDVLNAZTF37QWDACKAOII/ |access-date=February 9, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=March 3, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Electoral reform === In October 2025, Hayes expressed skepticism toward mid-decade redistricting in Maryland, saying that he wasn't sure "the juice was worth the squeeze" in countering the second presidency of Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Erin |last2=Shepherd |first2=Katie |title=Maryland's Democratic Senate president blocks anti-Trump redistricting fight |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/29/maryland-redistricting-senate-letter/ |access-date=February 23, 2026 |work=The Washington Post |date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> In February 2026, he opposed holding a floor vote on a bill that would redraw Maryland's congressional districts to improve the Democratic Party's chances of winning the 1st congressional district, the only congressional district held by Republicans in the state, saying it was "too late" to move a map and give the Maryland State Board of Elections enough time to make the changes needed to run an election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Wintrode |first1=Brenda |last2=O'Neill |first2=Madeleine |title=Here's where all 47 Maryland senators stand on redistricting |url=https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/state-government/maryland-redistricting-senators-senate-ferguson-HL75HWXXH5ENXKJLO4CRCMIPT4/ |access-date=February 25, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=February 25, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
During the 2026 legislative session, Hayes voted against a bill that would replace the party central committee appointment process used to fill vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly with special elections held at the same time as regular state primary elections, saying that the central committee appointment process has "afforded us to have one of the most diverse legislatures in the country" and switching to special elections would negatively affect African American candidates that "don't typically have the same amount of resources needed in campaigns".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Katharine |title=Maryland General Assembly special elections could be on the horizon, lawmakers say |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/02/05/maryland-general-assembly-special-elections/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 5, 2026}}</ref>
=== Paid family leave === During the 2020 legislative session, Hayes introduced the "Time to Care Act", a bill that would provide Maryland workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.<ref name="PFL 2020">{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Reintroduce Paid Family Leave Legislation |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/29/lawmakers-unveil-plan-to-reintroduce-paid-family-leave-legislation/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> The bill was reintroduced in 2021<ref>{{cite news |last1=Streicher |first1=Sean |title=Time To Care Act Would Establish Family, Medical Leave Insurance Program In Maryland |url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2021/01/10/time-to-care-act-would-establish-family-medical-leave-insurance-program-in-maryland/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=WJZ-TV |date=January 10, 2021}}</ref> and 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Paid Family Medical Leave Getting a New Look in This Year's Legislative Session |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/12/paid-family-medical-leave-getting-a-new-look-in-this-years-legislative-session/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 12, 2022}}</ref> during which it passed and became law after the General Assembly voted to override Governor Larry Hogan's veto.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |last2=Gaines |first2=Danielle |title=Hogan Vetoes Abortion and Paid Family Leave Bills, Allows Climate Measure to Become Law |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/08/hogan-vetoes-abortion-and-paid-family-leave-bills-allows-climate-measure-to-become-law/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle |last2=Gaskill |first2=Hannah |last3=Leckrone |first3=Bennett |last4=Shwe |first4=Elizabeth |title=With Legislative Overrides, Paid Leave and Abortion Access Bills Become Law in Maryland |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/09/with-legislative-overrides-paid-leave-and-abortion-access-bills-become-law-in-maryland/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 9, 2022}}</ref>
===Social issues=== In April 2026, Hayes expressed concerns with a bill to designate a Muslim American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month in Maryland, saying that while he understood the symbolism and people behind the legislation, he had a "serious problem with the process that were are in the final days of the legislative session, committing so much time and energy to something that I think creates even more division".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Commemorative bill becomes focus of religious, cultural debate in the Senate |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2026/04/08/commemorative-bill-becomes-focus-of-religious-cultural-debate-in-the-senate/ |access-date=April 8, 2026 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Hayes is a congregant at the Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore.<ref name="msa" />
== Electoral history == {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 40 Democratic Primary Election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates | work = elections.maryland.gov | publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01640.html | date = July 16, 2014}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Antonio Hayes''' |votes = 4,921 |percentage = 18.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Frank M. Conaway Jr.''' |votes = 4,324 |percentage = 16.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Barbara A. Robinson''' |votes = 4,921 |percentage = 16.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Shawn Z. Tarrant |votes = 4,034 |percentage = 15.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Marvin "Doc" Cheatham |votes = 3,496 |percentage = 13.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Rob "Bobby" LaPin |votes = 1,564 |percentage = 6.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Quianna M. Cooke |votes = 1,169 |percentage = 4.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Douglas R. Barry |votes = 927 |percentage = 3.6 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Marker |votes = 761 |percentage = 2.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Timothy Mercer |votes = 665 |percentage = 2.5 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland House of Delegates District 40 Election, 2014<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates | work = elections.maryland.gov | publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_01640.html | date = February 12, 2014}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Antonio Hayes''' |votes = 14,430 |percentage = 31.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Frank M. Conaway Jr.''' |votes = 13,968 |percentage = 30.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Barbara A. Robinson''' |votes = 13,946 |percentage = 30.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Shawn Tarrant (Write-In) |votes = 2,814 |percentage = 6.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Write-In |candidate = |votes = 357 |percentage = 0.8 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 40 Democratic Primary Election, 2018<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator | work = elections.maryland.gov | publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01540.html | date = July 31, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Antonio Hayes''' |votes = 7,920 |percentage = 65.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Barbara A. Robinson |votes = 4,185 |percentage = 34.6 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland Senate District 40 Election, 2018<ref name="2018g">{{cite web | title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator | work = elections.maryland.gov | publisher = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01540.html | date = November 12, 2018}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Antonio Hayes''' |votes = 26,960 |percentage = 98.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Write-In |candidate = |votes = 349 |percentage = 1.3 }} {{Election box end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Maryland State Senators}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hayes, Antonio}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:African-American Methodists Category:African-American state legislators in Maryland Category:Democratic Party Maryland state senators Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:Frostburg State University alumni Category:Methodists from Maryland Category:Politicians from Baltimore