Del. James Malone resigned Sunday, Nov. 30, as one of two representatives for District 12A that includes the Arbutus, Catonsville and Lansdowne areas to accept an appointed position under Republican Harford County Executive Barry Glassman as Director of Parks and Recreation, Malone announced in a Facebook post.
"I want you to know what a distinct honor and privilege it has been to serve you for the last almost 20 years," the Arbutus native wrote in the post.
Malone's position in Harford County is effective Monday, Dec. 1, according to a Nov. 18 press release issued by Glassman.
The former delegate, who has represented the district since 1995, did not seek reelection this year. He and Del. Steven DeBoy, the other Democratic representative for District 12A, and Del. Liz Bobo, who represented District 12B, will be replaced delegate-elects Eric Ebersole, Dr. Terri Hill and Dr. Clarence Lam.
The three begin their new positions representing District 12 Jan. 14.
The Maryland General Assembly Ethics Guide restricts members from working in paid positions once they become elected officials, which means Malone had to resign. Malone could not be reached to comment for this story.
Brian Bailey, a member of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee in District 12, said that, according to its bylaws, the group must interview candidates to fill the vacancy.
"In my mind, it doesn't make sense to approve anyone," Bailey said. "But it's a month where constituents won't have representation."
"We will appoint a place holder to keep the seat warm who is either a delegate-elect or is not a delegate-elect," Bailey said. "It's such a short time frame, I can't imagine people will be clamoring for the position."
Once the group has chosen a nominee, the name is submitted to the governor, who appoints a person to the position, Bailey said.
Rainier Harvey, chairman of the county's Democratic Central Committee, said delegates who don't run for reelection usually complete the remainder of their term.
Because of the short amount of time left in Malone's term, Harvey said he expects the vacancy to be filled by House of Delegates leadership, not the District 12 central committee.
"We wish him the very best of luck in his new position," Bailey said. "He has served District 12A for almost 20 years and has done it well."