Leggett and Hoyer express confidence in 4th District special election proposal

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) both expressed support today for Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to bypass a special primary election and hold a special general election in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District.

Leggett’s spokesman Patrick Lacefield said, “He’s in support of Governor O’Malley’s proposal.”

Stephanie Lundberg, Hoyer’s press secretary, told PolitickerMD.com, “Congressman Hoyer believes there is potential for this proposal to have the dual positives of seating a new representative in the current Congress and saving on the additional expense of a special primary election.”

Lundberg also confirmed that Hoyer “talked to the governor” about the proposal, “prior to his announcement.”

O’Malley will ask the General Assembly to amend the state code or grant a special order allowing for the special general election to be held without the primary.

The governor’s decision came less than a week after Rep. Al Wynn (D-Mitchellville) announced that he would resign in June, leaving the House of Representatives seven months before the end of his term.

In February, Wynn was defeated in his bid for re-nomination by Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington), who is expected to win the special election, if one occurs.

It is estimated that a special primary and general election would cost the state nearly $1 million each. The recent nature of the District 4 primary was also a factor.

The governor did not announce a date for the proposed general election.