While many races on this year’s primary ballot are uncontested, the County Council race offers Republican voters an important opportunity to help shape the future direction of Talbot County. County government is the level closest to the citizens it serves and those decisions affect our taxes, public safety, schools, infrastructure, and quality of life.
Having served twelve years on the Talbot County Council, I learned that public service is both a privilege and a tremendous responsibility. Every issue that comes before the Council affects someone’s family, business, neighborhood, and future. The decisions are rarely as simple as they may appear from the outside.
Citizens often see a vote, a newspaper article, or a few minutes of discussion at a public meeting. What they do not always see are the hours of research, citizen conversations and analysis that take place before an issue ever reaches the Council table. Since leaving office in 2022, I have come to appreciate that perspective even more. Like most people, I now see only a portion of the information available to elected officials before decisions are made. I know firsthand that there is often much more to a vote than what can be captured in a headline or brief summary.
Over the past four years, I have observed that Lynn approaches public service with the seriousness it deserves. She asks questions, seeks information, listens carefully to citizens, and takes the time to understand the issues before making a conclusion. She is thoughtful, hardworking and committed to serving the people of Talbot County.
During my years in office, I also learned that most local issues are not partisan in nature. Roads, public safety, housing, budgets, and infrastructure rarely fit neatly into Republican or Democratic categories. As a Republican, I believe in fiscal responsibility, limited government, accountability and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Those principles are important, yet effective local government also requires listening, preparation and sound judgment.
The citizens of Talbot County place their trust in those elected to serve them. I encourage you to participate in the June primary election to ensure your voice is heard.
Based on what I have observed during Lynn’s first term, I believe she has demonstrated the qualities necessary for an effective local government and has earned the opportunity to continue serving our community on the Talbot County Council.
Laura Everngam-Price
Former Talbot County Council Member (2010–2022)
Former Talbot County Council Member (2010–2022)
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
For more information, please go to https://talbotcountyrepublicancc.org/
It would be helpful if Ms. Mielke would respond to Ms. Wilcoxson and explain why she voted the way she did. As Ms Everngam-Price said, there are many nuances to governance that can be legitimate reasons to have voted the way she did.
Excluding Ms Mielke from Republican events is silencing a conservative voice. I doubt that anyone on TCRCC sat down with her to ask why she voted the way she did.
Please, Ms Mielke, clear the air for us and respond to the issues Ms Wilcoxon addresses.
Mr. Robertson : Ms. Mielke did respond in the Spy on June 4.
https://talbotspy.org/2026/06/04/letter-to-editor-setting-the-record-straight/
I think we’ve seen the damage that an all Republican government can cause if they are aligned with the far right MAGA ilk, leaving no room for those elected to use their own brains and to listen to their constituents on an issue by issue basis. Talbot County residents/voters/constituents are not all alike in their thinking. Why is Ms. Wilcoxon trying to force her agenda (MAGA) on the rest of us? She is representing only those who think and act as she does and she doesn’t care that there are Republicans that cover the spectrum from center to far right. It is bad enough that Trump & Co. are trying to rig elections through maps, executive orders and new laws, and we in Talbot County don’t need to follow the national hysteria when it comes to how we vote here at home. Party is not everything or the best answer to everything. For the Talbot County Council to truly represent the all the people it would be best to have a mix of ideologies and parties. In fact, why not allocate seats on the Council as 2 GOP and 2 DEM and the 5th at large and not assigned? Something has to give, what we have going on in the US right now is not working. If the Wilcoxon branch of the GOP get’s its way we won’t be having a national general election., Moms for Liberty candidates will fill the School Board, history will continue to be erased and the US will continue to circle the drain while the rich get richer and the poor get poorer as they foot the bill and fight the wars.
Ms. Price,
Thank you for a well written article stating the facts. It’s obvious that Wilcoxon has been given her marching orders to get rid of anyone who is not in line with the Republican ticket. They don’t want people who vote for their constituents, but only carrying outRepublican ticket dictates. Case in point, Andy Harris, admittedly, has told his constituents that he doesn’t vote for them. Looks like another instance of, if you don’t vote the party line, oh crap, am I you will be ostracized and removed.
I hope the voters can see that Lynn Mileke honored her campaign pledge these last four years by voting for the environment and her constituents concerns
I’m a registered Democrat, so I can’t vote for Ms. Mielke in the primary. But I did vote for her in the last general election. It will be sad if I can’t vote for her again.
In the not-too-distant past, party politics played no part in local elections. People voted on what they felt were the most important issues, the majority of which pertained to land use. Generally, Council members worked to come to agreement on budgets, educational policy, public safety issues, and the like. Never before have we seen the focus on party as has been seen in this primary election. And never before have we seen the Republicans running so focused on defeating one of their own, in some cases because she voted along with Pete Lesher, a highly respected Councilman. What is wrong with crossing party lines when it is appropriate? I would like to see more of that in Washington.
This is more about basic American philosophy than any other issue . the very concept of the modern pretzeling of the English language definition of DEI is an abomination, because the left has co opted it as a tool of Fabian Socialism. Words have meanings . Diversity in excellence made our Republic great , Equity is the capital we have saved in Real estate and Inclusion was legally forged by Republicans after the civil war .
Republicans have every right to Freedom of Association , enshrined in in the first Amendment, to forge alliances with those who share traditional values
“the very concept of the modern pretzeling of the English language definition of DEI is an abomination, because the left has co opted it as a tool of Fabian Socialism” Excuse me, what is the current President’s definition of “cease fire”? Put some dressing on that word salad please. Every accusation from a Republican is a confession.
I too support Lynn Mielke. She is well informed about local issues. She does not necessarily vote the GOP party line. Instead, she asks thoughtful questions and votes on the matter at hand that will provide the best outcome for Talbot County citizens.
I agree with Kathleen Carroll. I am also a Democrat who voted for Lynn Mielke in the last general election and look forward to voting for her again. In addition, I voted for Ms. Haythe (D), Pete Lesher (D) and Chuck Callahan (R).
It’s a shame Shari Wilcoxon and Jimmy Jaramillo continue to cut and paste the same worn-out arguments. It’s obvious that in their world view the only way Republican incumbents and aspiring officeholders can win in June and November is by obeying the Administration in Washington, DC and the TCRCC. Manipulating campaign contribution facts and highlighting a few votes that don’t align with their desire to control political outcomes is all they offer the voting public. Experienced, independent thinkers need not apply.
Lynn Mielke was elected to represent all Talbot County citizens. Her record in its entirety demonstrates she has worked tirelessly to address the issues of most concern to them: affordable healthcare, housing, food, education, childcare, eldercare and transportation costs, as well as public safety, Eastern Shore quality-of-life preservation, practical land use development, support for our law enforcement and fire department personnel, and responsible spending of taxpayer dollars. If reelected, she will expand on that record.
Ms. Wilcoxon and Mr. Jaramillo have made their positions painfully clear, and most of us have had enough of hearing them over, and over, and over again. It’s time to let the voters decide who has earned their vote and what’s in their best interests.
Clara Kelly
Independent Thinker
Dear Talbot Spy: I can never recall the Republican Central Committee of Talbot County EVER excluding a registered republican from a sponsored campaign event. This Republican Central Committee is attempting to decide which Republicans best fit their mold. In local politics, however, it does not work that way and I believe they are overstepping their authority as a Central Committee.
I served Talbot County for three terms from 2006 to 2018. I was never a poster child for the Republican party because I cared strongly about the environment and in managing appropriate growth and development. At times, this put me at odds with The Board of Realtors and the Talbot Chamber of Commerce both of which control the Central Committee. While I did not always see eye to eye with the Central Committee, I never recall being excluded from Republican-sponsored events like this Committee is doing to Lynne Mielke. By creating a 5 person (all male) slate, the Central Committee is substituting its view for the view of the Republican electorate. This is insulting and unprecedented. I’m quite surprised none of the other candidates running have defended Lynne and spoken out about what is going on.
I support Lynne Mielke, because she has for 4 years, demonstrated thoughtful leadership and she has experience. Please support her candidacy in the Primary.