Before taking office in the new seat, Scott won a December special election to fill a vacancy in the 2nd Senate district.
The Democratic Party nominated Maxwell to replace Scott, and on January 11, 1983, he defeated Republican James W. Parker, getting 83.8% of the vote.
[4] While in the House, he served on the committees on the Chesapeake and Its Tributaries, Claims, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Health, Welfare, and Institutions.
On December 15, 1992, Maxwell won a four-way special election in the 2nd district, getting 39.1% of the votes, against 31.5% for Republican city councilman James O.
In 1999, he received 80% of the vote against independent Michael A. Rogers, Sr.[4] Senator Maxwell served on the Committees on Rehabilitation and Social Services, Commerce and Labor, General Laws, and Transportation.