The Baltimore City Council is the legislative branch that governs the City of Baltimore. It has 14 members elected by district and a president elected at-large; all serve four-year terms. The council holds regular meetings on alternate Monday evenings on the fourth floor of the Baltimore City Hall. The council has seven standing committees, all of which must have at least three members. As of 2022, the president receives an annual salary of $131,798, the vice president gets $84,729 and the rest of the councillors receive $76,660. The current city council president, Zeke Cohen, was sworn in on December 5, 2024.

History During its early history the council was composed exclusively of white, non-Jewish males. In 1826, the Maryland General Assembly passed the "Jew Bill", which allowed Jews to hold public office in the state. Two leaders in the fight for the law were Jacob I. Cohen Jr. (1789–1869) and Solomon Etting (1764–1847), who subsequently won election to the council and became the first Jewish officeholders in the state. In 1890, Harry Sythe Cummings was elected to the council, becoming the state's first black elected official. In the 40 years after 1890, six black Republicans won elections to the council.

In 2003, as a result of the ballot initiative Question P, the Baltimore City Council went from six three-member districts to 14 single-member districts. The council president continued to be elected at-large resulting in a legislative body consisting of a total of 15 members.

Since 1926, Baltimore City elections have occurred the year following the gubernatorial cycle with elected officials taking office in the same year as the election. From the 1920s to the 1970s city elections were held in the spring, with primary elections in March and the general election in May, with the winners also taking office in May. In the 1970s the elections were changed to the fall, with the primary occurring in September and the general in November and the winners taking office in December. In 2012 the city's elections were moved to coincide with the presidential election cycle. This changed the 2015 election to 2016 and gave councilmembers elected in 2011 a five-year term.

Reflecting the near-total dominance of the Democratic Party in city politics, no Republican has been elected to the council since 1939.

City Council President

The council president is elected citywide. The council president presides over the council and serves as a voting member. In addition to their role on the council, the council president is also president of the Board of Estimates and serves as ex officio mayor pro tempore. In the event the mayor's office falls vacant, the council president automatically becomes mayor for the balance of the term. If the position of council president is vacant, the members of the council elect the new council president.

+TermNamePartyNotes1923–1930† DemocraticHad been the president of the 2nd Branch of the City Council, prior to the change to a unicameral council. Died in office in September 1930.1930–1931* Democratic**Was vice president of the council and served as acting president following Bryant's death in September 1930. O'Meara was a Democrat, however he was elected and supported by the Republican members of the council, who he primarily voted with.1931–1935 DemocraticLost re-election in the primary coming in third behind Sellmayer and John Meyer.1935–1939 DemocraticIn the 1935 election, John Meyer initially was called the winner on election night with 24 votes, after a recount, Sellmayer won. Lost re-election in the primary to O'Connell in 19391939–1943 DemocraticLost re-election in the primary to Conlon in 19431943† DemocraticDied in office. Served from May to October 19431943–1951♯ Democratic First elected as Council President by the council in October 1943, following Conlon's death. Was re-elected in 1947. He chose to run for mayor as an independent in 1951 instead of re-election and lost in his bid for the mayoralty. Resigned as Council President 10 days early.1951–1955 DemocraticElected by the voters in the 1951 election, and elected by the council to fill the last 10 days of Kelly's term. Ran for mayor in 1955 and lost the primary to Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro Jr.1955–1959 DemocraticRunning on a ticket with Mayor D'Alesandro, Abramson lost re-election in the primary to Goodman.1959–1962♯ DemocraticIn 1959 he ran on a joint ticket with J. Harold Grady for mayor and R. Walter Graham Jr. for comptroller, and all 3 won. Resigned as Council President in December 1962 to become mayor upon Grady's resignation of the mayoralty to become a judge1962–1967 DemocraticFirst elected Council President by the council in December 1962. Re-elected in 1963. Ran for mayor in 1967 and won.1967–1971 DemocraticRan for mayor in 1971 and won1971–1982♯ DemocraticResigned as Council President on October 18, 1982, due to conviction on bribery and corruption charges. 1982–1987♯ DemocraticDu Burns was the first African-American Council President. He was Council Vice President and first elected as Council President in October 1982 by the council following Orlinsky's resignation. Resigned as council president to become mayor in January 1987 following Mayor Schaefer's election as governor1987 DemocraticServed from January to December 1987. He was a 3rd District councilman and was elected Council President upon Burns' resignation to become mayor. He did not run for re-election in 1987, retiring from politics. 1987–1995 DemocraticMary Pat Clarke was the first female council president. She had previously served as a 2nd District councilwoman from 1975 to 1983 and had run for Council President in 1983, losing the primary to Burns. She ran for mayor in 1995 and lost the primary election to Mayor Kurt Schmoke1995–1999 DemocraticRan for mayor in 1997 and lost the primary election to 3rd District Councilman Martin O'Malley 1999–2007♯ DemocraticResigned in January 2007 to become mayor following O'Malley's election as governor2007–2010♯ DemocraticShe was the 6th District councilwoman and was first elected Council President by the council in January 2007 following Dixon's resignation. Resigned as council president to become mayor on February 4, 2010, due to Dixon's resignation as mayor following a corruption trial.2010–2019♯ DemocraticHe was the 12th district councilman and was first elected Council President by the council in February 2010 due to Rawlings-Blake's elevation to mayor. Resigned himself in May 2019 to become mayor.2019 DemocraticShe served as Council President Ex-Officio from April 2, 2019, until May 6, 2019, while President Young served as Mayor Ex-Officio and between the time he succeeded to the mayoralty and the Council voted on Young's successor. She held this position as virtue of serving as Council Vice President and she was the 6th district councilwoman. 2019–2020 DemocraticHe was the 2nd district councilman and was first elected Council President by the council on May 6, 2019, due to Young's resignation to become mayor2020–2024 DemocraticHe was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 40th district and elected Council President in the November 2020 general election2024–present DemocraticHe was the 1st district councilman and elected Council President in the November 2024 general election after defeating then-council chair Nick Mosby in the Democratic primary

† Died in Office ♯ Resigned as Council President

Records The records of the City Council, dates ranging from 1797 to 1987, reside at the Baltimore City Archives in Record Group BRG16. The collection includes administrative files, volumes of proceedings, joint council session reports, correspondence, ordinances and resolutions, committee bills, hearing schedules, and other records.

Members

Current members DistrictLocaleMemberPartyElectedPrimary Committee1SoutheastMark Parker Democratic2024Education, Young, & Older Adults (vice chair)2NortheastDanielle McCray DemocraticAppointed June 2019Budget (chair)3Morgan State, Harford RoadRyan Dorsey Democratic2016Transportation (chair)4 York RoadMark Conway Democratic2020Public Safety (chair), Public Health & Environment (vice chair)5NorthwestIsaac Schleifer Democratic2016Legislative Investigations (chair), Budget (vice chair)6Park Heights, Roland ParkSharon Green Middleton Democratic2007Middleton was appointed in 2007 and subsequently was elected to the position.Council Vice President, Transportation & Land Use (vice chair)7 Druid Hill, Mondawmin, SandtownJames Torrence Democratic2020Housing & Economic Development (chair), Labor & Workforce (vice chair)8Edmondson Village, Forest ParkParis Gray Democratic20249WestJohn Bullock Democratic2016Education, Young, & Older Adults (chair)10Cherry HillPhylicia Porter Democratic2020Public Health & Environment (chair)11DowntownZac Blanchard Democratic2024Public Safety (vice chair)12Greenmount, JonestownJermaine Jones Democratic2024Labor & Workforce (chair)13East BaltimoreAntonio Glover Democratic2020Legislative Investigations (vice chair)14Charles VillageOdette Ramos Democratic2020Housing & Economic Development (vice chair)Council PresidentZeke Cohen Democratic2024Council President

Former members

+