Alderperson Needed
Voters in the capital city’s Ward 6 anticipated a four-year break after electing Democrat Shaneka Henson to the Annapolis City Council last November. Now, after only six months, they have to go back to work.
It took only that long for Henson, a lawyer with degrees from Coppin State University and the University of Baltimore, to earn a promotion to the Maryland House of Delegates. Pending likely approval by Gov. Larry Hogan, she will finish the three-and-one-half year term of the late Michael Busch.
Busch represented District 30 for 32 years, the last 16 of them as Speaker of the House of Delegates.
To fill those big shoes, Henson was selected by the Anne Arundel County Central Democratic Committee from a field of 14 candidates. Taking office, she breaks new ground as the first African American woman to represent Annapolis in the General Assembly.
The vacancy she leaves on the Annapolis City Council will be filled by popular and nonpartisan rather than partisan committee vote. Mayor Gavin Buckley has issued a City Proclamation calling for a special election. Candidates from all parties have until May 13 to file for the seat: www.annapolis.gov.
Democrats and Republicans in Ward 6 choose their party’s candidate in a primary special election on Tuesday, June 4. The general special election follows on Tuesday, July 2.
Candidates must live in the ward they seek to represent for at least six months, be a registered voter and be affiliated with the party whose nomination they seek.
“We are looking forward to the residents of Ward 6 sending us someone every bit as outstanding as Alderwoman Henson,” Buckley said.