11/16/2024
The Harford Democratic Central Committee has received official notice from the County Council that, as a result of a nolo contendere (no contest) plea to a charge that would be a felony under Maryland law, Councilman Dion Guthrie has been removed from his seat on the Council and that the seat has been declared vacant.
The charges to which Councilman Guthrie pled no contest do not represent the values we expect in our Democratic elected officials. Article XV Section 2 of Maryland’s state constitution states the following regarding elected officials who accept such plea deals:
“Any elected official of the State, or of a county or of a municipal corporation who during the elected official's term of office enters a guilty plea or a plea of nolo contendere to any crime which is a felony, or which is misdemeanor related to the elected official's public duties and responsibilities and involves moral turpitude for which the penalty may be incarceration in any penal institution, shall be removed from the elective office by operation of law and the office shall be deemed vacant”
We wish former Councilman Guthrie the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his service on the Council to the residents of District A and to the County.
The Harford County Democratic Central Committee will proceed with a search for nominees to fill the vacancy on the Council. The process for filling a vacancy on the County Council is spelled out in Section 209 of the Harford County Charter and in Article X section 5 of the Maryland Democratic Party by-laws, and must be completed within 60 days of the effective date of the vacancy. We look forward to submitting at least 3 qualified candidates to ensure that the citizens of District A are duly represented.
Over the coming days, the HCDCC will issue a formal solicitation that will include the eligibility requirements and instructions on how to apply for the vacant position. Please monitor this space, our website, social media channels, and
