Melvin L. Stukes Explained

Melvin L. Stukes
Birth Date:15 March 1948
Birth Place:Baltimore, Maryland
Residence:Baltimore
State Delegate:Maryland
District:44th
Term Start:January 10, 2007
Predecessor:Jeffrey Paige
Party:Democrat
Occupation:Administrator
Spouse:Divorced
Children:2 daughters
Term Start2:1991
Term End2:2004
Predecessor2:Ed Reisienger
Successor2:Helen Holton
Termend:January 14, 2015

Melvin L. Stukes (born March 15, 1948) is 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

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.

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]

Democratic primary election results, 2014

Voters to choose one:

NameVotesPercentOutcome
1734  43.4%   Won
Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.1574  39.4%   Lost
Melvin L. Stukes523  17.3%   Lost

Democratic primary election results, 2010

Voters to choose three: (only the top 6 finishers are shown)

NameVotesPercentOutcome
4859  25.9%   Won
Keiffer J. Mitchell, Jr.4481  13.9%   Won
Melvin L. Stukes3321  17.7%   Won
Ruth M. Kirk2860  15.2%   Lost
Chris Blake973  5.1%   Lost
Gary T. English 907   4.8%   Lost

General election results, 2006

Voters to choose three:

NameVotesPercentOutcome
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

References

  1. Web site: Melvin L. Stukes, Maryland State Delegate. Maryland State Archives. 2016-04-12. 2015-10-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20151018232310/http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/former/html/msa14634.html. live.
  2. Web site: Archived copy . 2007-06-27 . 2007-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070711211913/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-1645553_ITM . dead .
  3. News: City Councilman Wants To Ban 'N' Word. 2002-05-07. Click2Houston.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20110815184854/http://www.click2houston.com/news/1438918/detail.html. 2011-08-15.
  4. Web site: Democratic establishment largely prevails from top to bottom, as few State House incumbents lose. Lazarick. Len. 2014-06-25. MarylandReporter.com. 2016-04-12. 2016-04-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422063832/http://marylandreporter.com/2014/06/25/democratic-establishment-largely-prevails-from-top-to-bottom-as-few-state-house-incumbents-lose/. live.
  5. Web site: 2014 Election Results. Maryland State Board of Elections. 2016-04-12. 2015-09-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907114820/http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2014/results/primary/gen_results_2014_1_01644A.html. live.
  6. Web site: House of Delegates Results. Maryland State Board of Elections. 2011-03-26. 2010-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20101007065247/http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2010/results/Primary/StateResults_office_016_district_44.html. live.
  7. Web site: House of Delegates Results . Maryland State Board of Elections . March 3, 2007 . April 8, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160408222855/http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/general/county_Baltimore_City.html . live .
  8. Web site: House Bill 860. Maryland Legislative Services. March 16, 2014. December 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181230130456/http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=03&id=hb0860&tab=subject3&ys=2013RS. live.
  9. Web site: BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359. mlis.state.md.us. 2016-04-12. 2016-04-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160408222931/http://mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/billfile/HB0359.htm. live.
  10. Web site: 2007 Special Session - Vote Record 0033. mlis.state.md.us. 2016-04-12. 2016-03-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203632/http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/votes/house/0033.htm. live.
  11. Web site: 2007 Regular Session - Vote Record 0250. mlis.state.md.us. 2016-04-12. 2009-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20090510080334/http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/votes/house/0250.htm. live.
  12. Web site: BILL INFO-2007 1st Special Session-HB 30. mlis.state.md.us. 2016-04-12. 2007-11-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112213246/http://mlis.state.md.us/2007s1/billfile/HB0030.htm. live.