March 28, 2008 - 11:45am
Brinkley says special election for Wynn's seat necessary, even if costly
By Kevin Agnese
Tags: Martin O'Malley, Donna Edwards, Albert Wynn, David Brinkley, Christine Hansen, Fort Washington, Maryland's Fourth Congressional District, Mitchellville, New Market
Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley (R-New Market) told PolitickerMD.com today that a special election in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District was necessary to ensure that residents have “congressional representation until January 3.”
Yesterday, Rep. Al Wynn (D-Mitchellville) announced his intention to resign his seat in June to join a law firm. Wynn lost his reelection bid to Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) in the Feb. 12 Democratic primary. His term was scheduled to expire January 3.
“The procedure is proscribed in state law,” Brinkley said, reaffirming his support for a special primary and general election.
According to the Maryland State Code, the governor has the right to declare a special election or leave the seat open.
Christine Hansen, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s deputy press secretary, said a “final decision” had not been made, and would not comment further. She did say that the governor called Wynn to wish him well and offer thanks for his years of service.
A special election would likely cost the state over $1 million.
When asked if he thought the General Assembly should work with the governor’s office to amend the state code to allow for the appointment of a replacement for Wynn, Brinkley said, “No.”
Brinkley said a congressional seat was the “one seat that is truly considered the peoples.’”
“There is no mechanism for selection,” he added.
Brinkley noted correctly that the federal constitution requires representatives to be elected, while senators can be appointed to vill vacancies.
The minority leader said that “no one wants to see” a costly special election cost money, but "these things happen."
Brinkley also said he did not think O’Malley could call for the special election until Wynn steps down, which would leave the people of the fourth district without a representative in Washington until a replacement is elected and sworn in.
“It’s going to happen as quickly as possible,” Brinkley said in regards to a new representative.
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Special election
In 2001, Oklahoma had a special election to replace Steve Largent, who resigned to run for governor. The election took place before the effective date of his resignation, so the replacement could take office immediately, with no gap. It required a special bill in the state legislature. Perhaps Maryland could do the same.
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