Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Tyler M. Adamson — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Tyler M. Adamson is a Democratic candidate for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 40. A public health professional, he serves as the Director of Epidemiology at the Maryland Department of Health and is a consumer member of the Maryland Board of Nursing. Adamson's experience includes working as a Policy Fellow for the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development and as a Health Policy Fellow for Congressman David Trone, where he focused on health, criminal justice, and COVID-19 related policy. He is passionate about human rights and health equity. Adamson holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins University.

• Ufuoma O. Agarin — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Ufuoma O. Agarin is a dedicated public servant and an appointed member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee for Legislative District 40, a role she assumed in February 2025. In addition to her role on the committee, she serves as the Executive Director of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, where she plays a key role in advancing the legislative agenda of the caucus. Her work focuses on advocating for the interests of her constituents and contributing to the Democratic Party's objectives in Baltimore City and across the state.

• Darius Beckford — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Darius Beckford is a public-sector leader with eight years of experience in public safety, dedicated to serving the youth and families of Baltimore City. A native of Baltimore, he is the Chief Operating Officer of The Flowers Whiting Initiative, where he focuses on re-entry, workforce development, and community resources. He also serves on the board of Leader Breeders Inc., which supports youth leadership development. Beckford earned a B.A. in English from the University of Baltimore and an M.S. in Communication Management from Towson University. He is a candidate for the Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40.

• Dwayne Benbow — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Dwayne Benbow is a dedicated community leader and a member of the Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee for Legislative District 40. As the founder of Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs, he mentors at-risk youth in Baltimore, providing them with life skills and a path to business ownership. Known as "Baltimore's Funnel Cake King," Benbow is the owner of Benbow Concession Services LLC. He actively works to combat food insecurity through partnerships with organizations like the Enoch Pratt Free Library, where he provides meals and nutritional education to the community. His work reflects a deep commitment to empowering Baltimore's residents through entrepreneurship and community support.

• Robin D. Boston — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Robin D. Boston is a member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee, representing Legislative District 40. She was elected in July 2022, and her current term is set to expire in 2026. Prior to her current term, she also served as an At-Large member of the committee for the term ending in 2022. The committee's responsibilities include managing party affairs, assisting voters, and supporting the election of Democrats to public office.

• Monica Cooper — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Monica Cooper is a dedicated community advocate and a member of the Maryland Democratic State Central Committee for Legislative District 40. Having overcome a decade of incarceration, she founded the Maryland Justice Project, a nonprofit focused on ensuring successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, particularly women. A graduate of the University of Baltimore, her advocacy was instrumental in the passage of "Ban the Box" legislation in Baltimore, which removes barriers to employment for those with criminal records. Cooper's work extends to community engagement and fostering positive change, leveraging her personal experiences to champion justice and equality.

• Tia Hopkins — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Tia Hopkins is an elected member of the Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee, representing Legislative District 40 for the 2022-2026 term. A lifelong West Baltimore resident, she earned a bachelor's in Law & Society and a master's in Education from Frostburg State University. A political strategist, she specializes in GOTV and volunteer training. In 2022, Hopkins became one of the first openly nonbinary members elected to the committee, vowing to champion inclusiveness. She is a passionate advocate for reproductive health, LGBTQ rights, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

• Roxane Prettyman — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Roxane Prettyman is a dedicated public servant and a lifelong resident of Baltimore. She currently serves the Democratic Party as a member of the Democratic Central Committee for Legislative District 40. Previously, Prettyman was appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 44A from August 2021 to January 2023. Before her time in the legislature, she worked for 39 years as a paralegal specialist for the Social Security Administration, retiring in 2018. Her commitment to her community is demonstrated through her role as the community outreach and engagement director at her church and her involvement with various community boards.

• Braxton C. Street — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Braxton C. Street is a dedicated educator and community leader running for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 40. A Baltimore native, he is a graduate of Morehouse College and Johns Hopkins University, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Morgan State University. With over a decade of experience in education, he now serves as a School Improvement Specialist for Baltimore City Public Schools. Street is also the First Vice President of the Ashburton Area Community Association and an executive board member of Trash Free Maryland, demonstrating his commitment to his community.

• Derrick Whiting — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 40, Maryland

  Derrick Whiting is a community advocate and a member of the Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee representing Legislative District 40. As a U.S. Army veteran and a returning citizen himself, he is a dedicated champion for marginalized communities. Whiting serves as the Healing City Coordinator for the City of Baltimore, where he facilitates trauma-informed care training. He is also the founder of the Flowers Whiting Initiative, a community-based organization that supports the reintegration of returning citizens. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Administration and is a fellow at the Vera Institute of Justice.