ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Reform Sasscer) — Maryland lawmakers elected Del. Dereck Davis on Thursday to be the state’s treasurer.

The General Assembly held the vote at the end of its four-day special session on redistricting to redraw the state’s congressional map.

Davis, a Prince George’s County Democrat, has been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 1995 and has served as chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee.

While we as authors of this blog have our reservations about Del. Dereck Davis candidacy as Maryland treasurer, we have to respect the decision of the lawmakers. Even though there are issues and violation of rights, we can work those as time progresses in Prince George’s County and in Maryland as a whole. If Dereck Davis and his friends do not resolve our grievances, God almighty will take care of our issues on our behalf. There is a greater power out there! We will continue to work hard in everything we do. Our humble opinion is that, the Maryland State Treasurer role should be elected by the voters statewide and not by close connected friends who can easily be swayed with money. At this point, no one knows where Delegate Dereck Davis stands on improving the Beltway in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties and other issues. Maryland voters must raise up and demand changes to the old status quo and request for their voices to be heard on this important position directly in the ballot.

The essence of democracy is majority rule, the making of binding decisions by a vote of more than one-half of all persons who participate in an election. However, constitutional democracy in our time requires majority rule with minority rights. Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, expressed this concept of democracy in 1801 in his First Inaugural Address. He said,

All . . . will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect and to violate would be oppression.

In every genuine democracy today, majority rule is both endorsed and limited by the supreme law of the constitution, which protects the rights of individuals. Tyranny by minority over the majority is barred, but so is tyranny of the majority against minorities.

There are reports by fellow lawmakers that, he would have made a truly great speaker of the Maryland General Assembly. That is one reason why he got the offer to be state treasurer so he would no longer be a threat to be Maryland speaker Adrienne Jones. The speaker was very scared by Dericks influence in Maryland and had to find a golden parachute for him. We will keep our folks informed as time progresses.

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Delegate Dereck Davis on his selection as the next Maryland State Treasurer,” said Gov. Larry Hogan in a statement. “Throughout his nearly 27 years in the House of Delegates, Dereck has served the people of Prince George’s County, and our entire state, with integrity and distinction.”

“Dereck and I have always had a great relationship. I look forward to welcoming him to the Board of Public Works, and working with him to continue changing Maryland for the better,” the governor said.

The treasurer holds one of three seats on the state’s Board of Public Works, along with the governor and comptroller.

The treasurer also leads several key state boards and financial planning committees, including the Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems.

Davis was elected to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of longtime Treasurer Nancy Kopp.

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