Senator Antonio Hayes was first elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018, and has represented the 40th Legislative District of Maryland since January 9, 2019. His legislative service prior to being elected State Senator was as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015-2019.

Through legislation he sponsored, the West North Avenue Development Authority was established in 2021. The West North Avenue Development Authority, created through legislation, brings together state, local, and community partners to develop a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy for the West North Avenue Corridor in Baltimore. The first comprehensive community development effort in the State of Maryland lead by a Historically Black University, the West North Avenue Development Authority plan will focus on revitalization efforts that will benefit residents, housing, neighborhoods, economic development, and transportation in communities located between educational anchor institutions, Coppin State University, and the Maryland Institute College of Art.