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Annapolis (WBAL) — The Maryland House of Delegates voted 136-0 Thursday evening to censure Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti, who said shortly after the vote she will not resign.
The House made plans to take this step after Lisanti resisted pressure in face-to-face meetings with House leaders and colleagues to resign.
The unanimous action was taken because, during a social gathering at a cigar shop in Annapolis, she used the N-word to describe a district in Prince George’s County.
“This is a serious situation, and it warrants a serious response from this body,” said Delegate Kathleen Dumias, D -Montgomery County.
Lisanti was in the chamber trying to get called on to read a statement. Ignored, she settled on reading it to reporters in a hallway. She vowed not to resign.
“To those who call for my resignation, I say quitting is easy but (I’m) on the road to redemption,” said Lisanti. “Staying here, accepting responsibility is hard work. Looking into the eyes of people I may have hurt is tough.”
Lisanti says the healing begins with reorganizing her office. She’s hiring someone to help her reach out to diverse communities. She accepted the invitation of the Prince George’s County executive to tour the area.
“I too denounce this word. It is not in my vocabulary and does not represent my belief system, my life’s work or my heart,” said Lisanti.
News of her racial slur usage sparked outrage across the state. House leadership and Speaker Michael Busch, D -Anne Arundel County, urged her to resign. She was warned about being censured to protect the integrity of the House.
“For the House to move forward, to get to the issues of the day and to stand up for the integrity of the House of Delegates, we had to take this action,” said Busch.
“Appropriate action was taken. The delegate should have never used that kind of word. It was hurtful to many of the people in the House of Delegates,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga, R -Baltimore and Harford counties.
“It sends a message that it is not tolerated here. It shouldn’t be tolerated here,” said Busch.
The censure capped several days of uncertainty. Lisanti apologized to the Legislative Black Caucus and to the Democratic Caucus.
Lisanti told 11 News on Wednesday morning that she made a mistake and is deeply apologetic.
“It’s a devastating situation and I’m heartfeltly (sic) sorry,” Lisanti said. “I’m sick to my heart. I’m sick to my heart. I’m deeply apologetic. I’ve made a mistake, and I’m trying to repent for that, and I’ve gotten a lot of love and support and forgiveness from home, and my constituents are helping to guide me through this very difficult time.”
Busch has stripped Lisanti of her leadership position as chair of the Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee. She will also undergo sensitivity training.
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