Ike Leggett

At his afternoon press conference, Gov. Martin O’Malley announced that he will ask the General Assembly to amend the state code or grant a special order allowing the Fourth District to hold a special general election without a special primary.

O’Malley is seeking the exception in light of a primary being held in the district so recently. On Feb. 12, Donna Edwards handily defeated Rep. Al Wynn, who last week announced his resignation from Congress, effective in June. The cost of a primary and general special election – estimated at almost $1 million each – is weighing heavily on the Governor’s decision to call for a special election, or allowing the seat to remain vacant until January.

According to Maryland state law, the Governor has ten days within learning of the resignation or the resignation itself to call a special election. Wynn announced his resignation six days ago on Thursday, March 28.