Shaneka Henson nominated to fill Speaker Mike Busch’s delegate seat

Annapolis will hold a special election to fill the new vacancy in Ward 6

The City of Annapolis will hold a special election to fill the vacancy of Ward 6 Alderwoman Shaneka Henson, who was recently nominated to fill the District 30A delegate seat of the late Speaker Mike Busch. Henson submitted her resignation to the Mayor at the conclusion of the City Council meeting on April 29, 2019.

Two elections, a primary and a general, must take place within 60 days of the Mayor alerting the City Council of the vacancy. The Mayor has five days to submit a Proclamation to fill the seat to the Council after receiving the resignation.

Alderwoman Henson emerged from a crowded field of 14 Democratic candidates vying for the Delegate seat. The replacement was named on April 25 by the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee. Her name will be forwarded to Governor Larry Hogan for appointment. If Henson is appointed by the Governor, which is the custom, she would serve out the remainder of the Delegate term and seek reelection in 2022.

Alderwoman Henson first ran for the City Council in 2017. She had a primary opponent, but no general election opposition. She won the seat with 426 votes.

Mayor Gavin Buckley said that he is confident Henson will be a great representative in the General Assembly for the City of Annapolis.

By City Code, the primary must take place, on a weekday, between 23 and 30 days after the Mayoral notification letter. The general election must take place, on a weekday, between 21 and 30 days after the primary.

At the time of the last election, Ward 6 had 2,360 eligible voters. It includes an area along both sides of Tyler Avenue, a triangle bordered by Primrose and Truxton Park Roads to President Street to the southern bank of Spa Creek and a portion of Hilltop Lane where it turns into Tyler Avenue. It also includes the Robinwood neighborhood (across Forest Drive) as well the North side of Forest Drive between Tyler and Bay Ridge Avenues.

There are two voting precincts in Ward 6: Mount Moriah AME Church at 2204 Bay Ridge Avenue and Eastport Community Center at 1014 President Street.

The City will announce the Primary Election Day and the General Election Day in the coming weeks with filing deadlines for candidates. Before both elections, specimen ballots will be sent to all Ward 6 registered voters.