Deni TaverasServing

Deni Taveras

State HouseDemocrat

MD-HD-47B State House

Age 53·Dominican American·Maryland House of Delegates, District 47B (2023-present)

Why This Race Matters

Taveras is the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus Treasurer and a leading voice on immigrant protections in the 2026 session, sponsoring bills on developmental disability services for Latino families, anti-price gouging housing, and teen crisis intervention. In 2025, the White House named her publicly in a statement on sanctuary cities, which she called a threat to her safety. Her district in Prince George's County has over 100,000 eligible immigrants who could become citizens and voters.

Maryland primary is June 23, 2026. No declared opponents yet for District 47B. Won 2022 primary with 52.6% against two challengers and the general with 96.5%. The Latino Caucus is pushing three key immigrant protection bills in the 2026 session, including a standalone 287(g) prohibition stripped from the 2025 Maryland Values Act.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 23, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Deni Taveras is a Dominican American member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 47B in Prince George's County. Born in New York City to Dominican immigrant parents, she lost her mother at age four and her father -- a taxi driver who was murdered on the job -- at age eight. Raised by her maternal grandmother in Harlem alongside nearly 20 family members, Taveras became the first Latina elected to the Prince George's County Council in 2014 (winning by just six votes) before being elected to the House of Delegates in 2022.

Family & Heritage

Born in New York City to Dominican immigrant parents. Her mother, Filomena Garcia, was a factory worker and her father, Bienvenido Taveras, was a taxi driver. Her mother died by suicide when Deni was four. Her father was murdered while driving his cab when she was eight. Raised by her maternal grandmother in Harlem, sharing a home with nearly 20 family members. Lost eight extended family members to COVID-19 in 2020, including her half-brother and four uncles. First Latina elected to Prince George's County Council.

Political Career

Before Politics

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Administrator Lisa P. Jackson; FEMA disaster relief worker (5 years, including Hurricane Katrina response); Dominican American National Roundtable (assisted with CAFTA-DR passage); Chief of Staff for State Senator Victor Ramirez (2011-2013); Adjunct Professor at University of Maryland, College Park; Homeowner's Association President at Presidential Park; Instructor at local juvenile detention center

Education

B.A. in Chemistry from Barnard College (1995); M.S. in Chemistry from University of Utah (1998); M.P.A. from Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs with certificate in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (2003)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Transportation infrastructure and smart growth
*Educational equity and school construction (9 new schools in pipeline)
*Sustainable economic development and expanding commercial tax base
*Housing standards and code enforcement
*Environmental preservation of green spaces and waterways
*Public safety and at-risk youth programs
*Immigrant protections and anti-287(g) legislation

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