Prosecutors announced charges of theft, embezzlement, and perjury against former Prince George’s County Councilmember Mel Franklin on June 20, a move that comes after the longtime lawmaker resigned effective June 15.
The Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor alleges that Franklin used over $125,000 in campaign funds from 2020 to 2023 to cover personal debts, loans, rent, and other personal expenses after transferring funds from the account, and that he falsified his campaign reports during this time period.
On Tuesday, the County Council set the special election primary date for Aug. 6 and the general election for Nov. 5 to fill his vacant seat. It is presumed that the winner of the Democratic primary will be the likely winner of the general election, given the county’s partisan lean. The deadline to file as a candidate is July 5.
Some of the potential candidates rumored to be interested in the vacant seat in the pending special election include State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (D- District 22), Prince George’s County Clerk of the Circuit Court Mahasin El Amin, Bowie Mayor Tim Adams, Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D- District 5), and Maryland State Education Association Vice President Theresa Mitchell Dudley.
I announce my interest in the seat, however still waiting on the Board of Elections.