Accusations of fraud and a court date scheduled less than one week before the general election have not derailed incumbent Del. Tony McConkey?s bid to retain his seat in Annapolis.
“I?m sure it will have some impact, but honestly, I?ve had friends and family ask me about it, but I?ve had very little contact with voters about this issue,” McConkey said Monday.
McConkey, a Republican, is running for a second term as a delegate from Anne Arundel County?s legislative district 33A. He is running against Republican James King, and Democrats Paul Rudolph and Patricia Weathersbee.
Pasadena resident Teresa Milligan filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 against McConkey, alleging he tricked her into signing papers to sell her home to him. Milligan said McConkey had contacted her after her home was threatened with foreclosure.
McConkey, a real estate broker, filed court papers in early October to have Milligan evicted. A hearing on that request is scheduled for Thursday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
“This is just one person?s accusation coming two weeks before an election, and so it?s immediately suspect,” McConkey said. “This has happened to me before (with people facing eviction).”
Rudolph said the accusation against the incumbent delegate “doesn?t seem to make a difference … with his supporters.”
“In talking to some of my Republican friends, they?re still planning on voting for him,? Rudolph said.
Weathersbee, the wife of AnneArundel State?s Attorney Frank Weathersbee, declined to comment on the case against McConkey, and said her campaign will stay positive.
The county state?s attorney?s office asked to be taken off the criminal investigation into Milligan?s claims against McConkey, citing the conflict of interest created by Pat Weathersbee?s candidacy.
