Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said Wednesday he backs changing state law to allow a special general election to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn without first holding a special primary, a move that could save time and cash.
Wynn, an eight-term congressman, lost a mid-February Democratic primary by about 22 percentage points to challenger Donna Edwards, who analysts say is expected to easily win the general election in November over Republican candidate Peter James. Last week, Wynn said he would resign in June to become a partner at Washington law firm Dickstein Shapiro.
Maryland election law gives O’Malley the option of holding special general and primary elections to replace Wynn or leaving the seat vacant for the remaining seven months of Wynn’s term. State election officials said holding both special general and primary elections could cost the cash-strapped state and counties Wynn represents about $2 million, but holding only a special general election would cost $1 million.
O’Malley said Wednesday that his staff is investigating the changes to election law because he has “a hard time thinking it’s not important” to have Wynn’s seat occupied for the remainder of his term, but that having both elections would take a while.
Wynn’s district covers portions of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, which are both already footing the bill for special elections for vacant county council positions.
Republican candidate James said he appreciates the governor’s desire to save money and time, but questions the process.
“The constitutionality of all this is questionable,” James said. “So then you’d just have the governor choosing who can run in this [special general election] race or what happens?”
Attorney General Doug Gansler’s spokeswoman, Raquel Guillory, said Gansler’s office was reviewing the legality of the idea and had been working with the governor’s office to evaluate all options since Wynn announced plans to resign.
Under the governor’s proposal, the state legislature would need to pass emergency legislation before its session ends Monday in order to skip the special primary election.
“We’re all trying to figure out the best way to ensure those residents still have representation,” Guillory said.
Sara Michael contributed to this article.
