A Washington Post article (2017-03-14) reported that Senate Executive Nominations Committee rejected the nomination of Wendi Peters to become the next Maryland Secretary of Planning by a vote of 11-6. Peters was the nominee of Governor Lawrence “Larry” Hogan to replace former Secretary David Craig. Peters has been serving as acting Secretary since Craig’s departure in July of 2016. From the article:

“Ms. Peters is likely qualified for a lot of things, but her background and experience do not make her qualified for Secretary of Planning,” said Sen. Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore), the chairman of the committee, offering the sentiments of the majority of the panel.

Peters, a two-term councilmember on the Mt. Airy Town Council in Frederick and a former member of the town’s board of Appeals and Planning Commission, became acting Secretary of Planning in July. She previously served as deputy secretary. …

“Wendi Peters is eminently qualified for this position,” [Hogan spokesperson Amelia] Chasse said, accusing the committee of conducting an “unfair hearing” that was an “insult” to Peters’ decades of service to her community and the state.

Despite the governor’s full confidence in Peters, Chasse said Hogan has withdrawn Peters’ nomination rather than pursue the appointment process through the full Senate.

A potential replacement for Peters has not yet been named.

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