The Talbot County Republican Central Committee (TCRCC) has chosen not to endorse my candidacy and has publicly mischaracterized several votes I have cast during my four years on the Talbot County Council. Voters deserve to know the facts.
DEI Resolution and Airport Funding
The TCRCC claims I voted to silence public comment and jeopardize federal funding. That is simply not what occurred. Councilman Stepp’s resolution was tabled by a 3-2 vote, however public comment was never silenced. Citizens were given opportunities to speak, and many did so on both sides of the issue.
My initial concern was whether the federal Executive Order cited as justification for repealing the County’s resolutions would ultimately be enforceable and legally sustainable. When it later became clear that the Easton Airport could face delays or uncertainty regarding federal grant funding, the matter was revisited on June 10, 2025. I cosponsored and voted in favor of repealing the resolutions rather than spending taxpayer dollars on prolonged litigation. That was a practical decision made in the County’s best interest.
Short-Term Rental Legislation
The proposed short-term rental legislation was developed in response to concerns raised by Talbot County residents about the impact of vacation rentals on the character of established neighborhoods. This is not a partisan issue. The primary objective was to protect villages and established residential communities, particularly neighborhoods such as Bentley Hay and Rio Vista in St. Michaels, that do not have homeowners associations, from becoming overwhelmed by short-term vacation rentals.
There were also concerns that increasing numbers of short-term rentals were reducing the supply of attainable housing available to local residents. While short-term rentals generate only about $30,000 annually in County revenue, the issue was never primarily about revenue.
The goal was never to prohibit short-term rentals or harm property owners, but to strike a reasonable balance between private property rights and preserving the quality of life in residential neighborhoods.
Election Integrity Resolution
The TCRCC cites my vote regarding an election-related resolution as a reason for withholding its endorsement. Councilman Stepp invited Council President Callahan to attend a Board of Elections meeting with him, but the third Republican member of the
Council majority was not included. I did not believe the Council should adopt a formal position based solely on accounts of discussions that occurred at a meeting attended by only two Council members.
My position was that representatives of the Board of Elections should have been invited to publicly address the concerns before the Council took action. That was not a vote against election integrity. It was a vote for gathering the facts and hearing directly from those involved before making a decision.
County Budget
The TCRCC also claims that my vote against the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget reflected opposition to funding schools, public safety, and emergency services. That claim is false.
I voted against the budget because it included a tax increase that I did not believe was necessary at the time, given the County’s healthy reserves. I specifically stated that I supported funding for essential government services. In fact, many elected officials at every level of government occasionally vote against budgets because they disagree with a particular provision while still supporting the agencies and employees funded by that budget.
A vote against a budget is not a vote against public safety, education, or emergency services. Because the Council votes on the budget as a single package rather than by individual line items, disagreement with one significant provision can result in a vote against the budget as a whole.
My Approach to Public Service
Throughout my service on the County Council, I have worked closely with my Republican colleagues on countless issues and have supported a fiscally responsible, commonsense approach to government. At the same time, I have never believed that elected officials should simply vote according to the preferences of a political committee.
My responsibility is first and foremost to the citizens of Talbot County. I will continue to evaluate each issue on its merits, listen to residents, study the facts, and vote according to what I believe serves the County’s long-term interests.
Reasonable people can disagree on individual issues. What should never be controversial is the principle that elected officials exercise independent judgment on behalf of the people they represent. That is exactly what I have done throughout my service on the County Council.
Lynn Mielke
Talbot County Council Member
Thank you Councilwoman Mielke for responding to the attacks levied toward you by the TCRCC and clarifying your reasoning for your votes on important issues. It once again proves that you take your job on the County Council seriously and thoroughly research important issues before voting. We need people who care more about Talbot County than simply following the party line and voting as they are told by political entities. I do, however, wonder about the attacks and am concerned that the TCRCC is placing politics before the good of our county. Does that serve us well? Perhaps we should consider a change in committee membership when we next go to the poles.
I have always respected Lynn’s research of issues presented to the Council. She is a full-time steward of the county and follows her findings, even if not in tune with her political affiliation. Good for her!
Thank you for addressing these concerns. We have all grown weary of half truths and innuendos spouted to serve a narrative. We NEED dialogue and good faith debate. If the discussions before the council look anything like the criticisms and commentary I often read online here and on Next Door…I see a LOT of bad faith arguing and that serves no one well. I do not know all the issues that you addressed here very closely. But the effort to open the conversation does a better job of informing than others may wish to see occur, particularly if that means that a certain perspective gets questioned when the presenters of that perspective would prefer we simply take what we are given on faith. Unfortunately, my view is that the TCRCC seems to be demanding that citizens accept on faith what the TCRCC has debated or presented via half truths and in bad faith. Please continue your work. I likely will disagree often with you but I would prefer to disagree with someone operating in good faith than even attempt to converse with anyone who expects me not to question a given narrative.
Lynn’s integrity and sincere interest in serving Talbot County are exemplary. During her first term as a member of the County Council, her actions have been focused entirely on the needs of her constituents without regard to political affiliation. She has demonstrated her commitment to public service in many ways before running for office and will continue to work hard for all of us if re-elected. Now, more than ever, we need competent and experienced public servants.
The voting record is very clear and speaks for itself.
Council member Mielke has asked voters to trust her account of her votes over the Talbot County Republican Central Committee’s presentation of dates and facts. We agree with her on one thing: voters should not trust her or us, they should go look for themselves.
Every vote referenced below is part of the public record. We encourage every voter to do exactly that. The dates of the meetings/votes are included for ease in finding them online. You can listen/watch the recorded Talbot County Council meetings at their website https://talbotcountymd.gov/meetings . There are written minutes as well.
Vote 1 — DEI Resolution and Federal Funding (February and March and June 2025)
On February 25, 2025, Council member Mielke voted alongside Democrat Pete Lesher to block public comment on the proposed repeal of DEI administrative resolutions. Vote 3-2.
On March 11, 2025, she voted with the Democratic members of the Council to keep DEI policy training for county employees, despite President Trump’s January 20 Executive Order and despite knowing the risk of losing federal funding. The vote was 2-3: Callahan and Stepp voted Aye; Lesher, Haythe, and Mielke voted Nay.
On June 10, 2025, after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent an open letter dated April 24, 2025, threatening to freeze, stop, and claw back federal grant funding from any recipient with DEI policies, outlining clearly for those still not understanding the risk of Talbot County losing approximately $56.8 million in federal funds, including $48.6 million for the Airport Modernization Project, only then did Council member Mielke reverse her vote.
She only changed her vote when she had no other choice.
Vote 2 — Short-Term Rental Legislation, Bill 1622 (October 2025)
Council member Mielke co-introduced Bill 1622 with Democrat Pete Lesher, imposing broad regulations on short-term rental property owners across Talbot County. The bill was so poorly received at the November 26, 2025 public hearing, and from Talbot County citizen communications, that by December 9, 2025, even her Democratic co-sponsor Lesher withdrew his support of his own/their bill. Only then did Council member Mielke withdraw her support as well.
It is also a matter of public record, reported in the Maryland Campaign Finance Reporting System, that the largest single donor to Lynn Mielke’s 2022 campaign was/is a registered Democrat – the same individual she subsequently voted to appoint to the Short-Term Rental Review Board, where he became Chairman. Mielke then co-authored the STR Bill 1622 with Pete Lesher. Did Council member Mielke disclose this relationship to the other council members or the public? We could find no record of such. We know she didn’t recuse herself, nor did she abstain from any vote involving her donor, that board appointment, nor did it stop her from introducing legislation concerning that board with her largest donor as Chairman.
Vote 3 — Election Integrity (September 24, 2024)
When Council members Dave Stepp and Chuck Callahan motioned to send a letter to the Talbot County Board of Elections urging compliance with election law on judge parity — the same request made independently by Sheriff Joe Gamble — Council member Mielke abstained. The motion passed 4-0-1.
Vote 4 — FY 2024-25 County Budget (May 28, 2024)
Council member Mielke was the sole vote against the annual county budget, which funded the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Services, and Public Schools. The budget passed 4-1.
Another fact, in a 2023 campaign report filing, Lynn Mielke was named along with a few other candidates who benefited from nearly $45,000 in campaign expenditures from the Talbot Integrity Project (TIP)/Dan Watson, alongside Democrat Ronald “Pete” Lesher, Democrat Phillip Jackson, Democrat Michelle Dappert, Democrat Scott Kane, Democrat Keasha Haythe, and William “David” Montgomery. Voters can draw their own conclusions.
The TCRCC has endorsed five candidates who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to Republican principles and to the people of Talbot County:
Chuck Callahan
Dave Stepp
Frank Gunsallus
Christian MacKendrick
Wade Strickland
We ask every Republican voter to go to the Council meeting records and verify the truth, make up your own minds, and then please vote in the Republican Primary on June 23. Early voting is June 11-18 at the Easton Firehouse. We ask that you vote for all five true Republican candidates listed above.
Shari Wilcoxon
Chair,Talbot County Republican Central Committee
If the 5 you endorse above are going to vote in lockstep with whatever the GOP standard line is…then I will cast a vote against each and every one. Not a single citizen should want elected officials that serve as a rubber stamp to some charlatan in Washington’s agenda.
This whole needless scenario is rooted in the current political climate of distrust, defame and deny. Hopefully, starting after the elections in November, they can be put behind us. Honesty, integrity and compassion are sadly missing these days. Just sayin’…
Thank you Lynn for setting the record straight. I know you to give selflessly of your time and expertise to all the citizens of Talbot County and to have the courage of your own convictions. I find the actions of the TCRCC in your case to be particularly reprehensible. You have suffered what political scientists and historians refer to as a “hatchet job”. Due to your intelligence, pragmatism, and dedication you will be the top vote getter of any Republican candidate in the general election.
It baffles me why the TCRCC would shun its most viable candidate. It would be foolish for the GOP to fail to nominate you as a candidate. There are lots of people like me in Talbot County who are highly motivated to turn-out for the general election. We are the voters , the “silent majority” to quote another Republican, who are tired of the dishonesty, partisanship , dogma and discord. We want public servants who will represent the best interests of Talbot County.
Whatever happened to the GOP’s “eleventh commandment ? Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican” – attributed to Ronald Reagan? That has gone out the window at the TCRCC along with truth, honesty, and the desire to serve the public. Thank you again for setting the record straight.
I encourage all my Republican friends to turn-out and vote for Lynn Mielke in the June 23, 2026 Republican primary election. Lynn will have my vote in the general election.
It comes as no surprise that you would be supporting Mielke.
You were her single largest donor in 2022. You are who she voted on to be appointed to the Short-Term Rental Review Board, with no record of her disclosing the fact of your donations, and you are now the Chairman of that Board.
Ironically, Mielke and Democrat Pete Lesher co-wrote legislation for Short-Term Rental properties that was so sweeping and absurd, that the community pushed back hard, so both Lesher and then Mielke grudgingly withdrew their support for their own bill.
Thank you for outing yourself Hugh Smith. You cannot vote for her in the primary because you are a Democrat. Interesting that all the Democrats are supporting “Republican” Lynn Mielke. Why didn’t you ask her to run as a Democrat? And be honest with Talbot County?
Lynn Mielke is a true Republican candidate and has more integrity and public service experience than any of the non-incumbents Ms. Wilcoxon has forced the TCRCC to endorse. That the other incumbents have acquiesced to excluding Ms. Mielke from meet-the-candidates forums and events is shameful.
https://talbotcountymd.gov/County_Council/Meet_the_Council/lynn-mielke
Clara Kelly
Easton
So glad this dust up has allowed me to know Lynn Mielke. She has my vote for integrity and transparency.
T
Lynn is the type of candidate I like to see. She examines issues, thoughtfuly and votes for what is best for the citizens. We need more candidates like her.
This is the year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence. I think this is relevant to this discussion. We each have different life experiences and expectations, and as such, we should align ourselves with the candidates that best fit our values. But no candidate will be a perfect match. Lynn Mielke brings a thoughtful, conservative, and fiscally responsible perspective with a fearless independence that lets her choose what she feels is best for the people of Talbot County. Some have attributed motives to Lynn Mielke’s votes, but in my conversations with her, she acts in the best interest of Talbot County.
The Republican Central Committee values voting according to their platform. That is fine for some. I recall when the voting booths had a lever that allowed one to vote the party line. Someone who didn’t want to think about it could just throw one large lever for the party. Today, things are dynamic and nuanced. Having someone like Lynn Mielke on the Talbot County Council who will thoughtfully do what is best for Talbot County represents the kind of independence this nation was built on.