Melvin L. Stukes

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.

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 by	Jeffrey Paige
Succeeded by	Keith E. Haynes
Member of the Baltimore City Council from the 6th district
In office 1991–2004
Preceded by	Ed Reisienger
Succeeded by	Helen Holton
Personal details
Born	(1948-03-15)March 15, 1948 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	September 21, 2024(2024-09-21) (aged 76) Pikesville, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Catherine DeFord ​ (m. 2022)​
Children	2
Residence(s)	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation	Administrator

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.

In the Legislature

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

• 2014 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 44A^[6]

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

Voters to choose one:

Democratic primary election results, 2010

• 2010 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District^[7]

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

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

General election results, 2006

• 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 44th District^[8]

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%

Voters to choose three:

Legislative notes

• 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

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.