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Melvin L. Stukes

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Melvin L. Stukes
Stukes in 2011
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 44th district
In office
January 10, 2007 – January 14, 2015
Preceded byJeffrey Paige
Succeeded byKeith E. Haynes
Member of the Baltimore City Council
from the 6th district
In office
1991–2004
Preceded byEd Reisienger
Succeeded byHelen Holton
Personal details
Born(1948-03-15)March 15, 1948
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedSeptember 21, 2024(2024-09-21) (aged 76)
Pikesville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Catherine DeFord
​
(m. 2022)​
Children2
Residence(s)Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
OccupationAdministrator

Melvin L. Stukes (March 15, 1948 – September 21, 2024) was an American politician who represented the 44th legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates.[1] Stukes was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. Prior to winning a seat in the Maryland General Assembly, Stukes served 13 years in the Baltimore City Council.

Background

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Delegate Stukes was born in Baltimore, his father was in the Navy and the family moved several times during his childhood. He graduated from Scott's Branch High school in Summerton, South Carolina. After high school he enlisted in U.S. Air Force, served three years until 1968 and later entered Morgan State University, where he earned a B.S. in business administration in 1975. During his stint on the Baltimore City Council, Stukes made national news by introducing a resolution that would ban the word nigger.[2] Stukes said he was prompted to introduce the measure, not because of racism, but because it was being used widely by members of his own race.[3] Stukes said that by ignoring the use of the word, officials give the impression, especially to young people, that it is acceptable.

In the Legislature

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When Stukes joined the Maryland house of delegates in 2007 he was immediately assigned to the ways and means committee, he was also a member of the Baltimore City Delegation and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland Due to redistricting, District 44 was divided into 44A and 44B, which resulted in three incumbent delegates, including Stukes, having to run for the same district seat. Stukes came in third.[4]

Stukes had two daughters. He married his partner of sixteen years, Catherine DeFord, in 2022. Stukes died in Pikesville, Maryland, on September 21, 2024, at the age of 76.[5]

Democratic primary election results, 2014

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  • 2014 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 44A[6]
Voters to choose one:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Keith E. Haynes 1734   43.4%    Won
Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. 1574   39.4%    Lost
Melvin L. Stukes 523   17.3%    Lost

Democratic primary election results, 2010

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  • 2010 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[7]
Voters to choose three: (only the top 6 finishers are shown)
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Keith E. Haynes 4859   25.9%    Won
Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr. 4481   13.9%    Won
Melvin L. Stukes 3321   17.7%    Won
Ruth M. Kirk 2860   15.2%    Lost
Chris Blake 973   5.1%    Lost
Gary T. English 907   4.8%    Lost

General election results, 2006

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  • 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District[8]
Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Melvin L. Stukes Dem. 13,173   34.0%    Won
Ruth M. Kirk, Dem. 12,894   33.3%    Won
Keith E. Haynes, Dem. 12,565   32.4%    Won
Other Write-Ins 129   0.3%    

Legislative notes

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  • Co-sponsored HB 860 (Baltimore City Public Schools Construction and Revitalization Act of 2013). Signed by the Governor on May 16, 2013, the new law approved 1.1 billion dollars to construct new schools in Baltimore City.[9]
  • voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)[10]
  • voted for the Tax Reform Act of 2007(HB2)[11]
  • voted in favor of prohibiting ground rents in 2007(SB106)[12]
  • sponsored House Bill 30 in 2007, allowing the state to confiscate unused portions of gift certificates after 4 years.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Melvin L. Stukes, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2007-06-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "City Councilman Wants To Ban 'N' Word". Click2Houston.com. 2002-05-07. Archived from the original on 2011-08-15.
  4. ^ Lazarick, Len (2014-06-25). "Democratic establishment largely prevails from top to bottom, as few State House incumbents lose". MarylandReporter.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  5. ^ "Melvin Stukes, former Maryland Delegate and Baltimore City, councilman dies at 76". Afro. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  6. ^ "2014 Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  7. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
  8. ^ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
  9. ^ "House Bill 860". Maryland Legislative Services. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359". mlis.state.md.us. Archived from the original on 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  11. ^ "2007 Special Session - Vote Record 0033". mlis.state.md.us. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  12. ^ "2007 Regular Session - Vote Record 0250". mlis.state.md.us. Archived from the original on 2009-05-10. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  13. ^ "BILL INFO-2007 1st Special Session-HB 30". mlis.state.md.us. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
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