The Harford County Republican Central Committee is seeking applicants to fill the seat of former County Councilman Aaron Penman.

Penman was removed from his seat last week due to a judge ruling that his dual employment with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the County Council is a conflict of interest. Because Penman is a Republican, the committee is tasked with seeking applicants to fill his position.

The committee must submit no fewer than three names to the Harford County Council for consideration.

Qualifying applicants must be registered Republicans and residents for at least two years of District B, which includes Joppa, Abingdon, Bel Air, Fallston and Forest Hill.

Those interested should contact the committee at rccharford@gmail.com to receive an application. Applicants will also be asked to submit a cover letter expressing why they are interested in serving District B.

All application information and documents must be submitted either electronically or by mail to the committee by noon on March 19. Mailed documents should be sent to RCCHC, P.O. Box 289, Bel Air, Md. 21014.

The Republican committee will then review submissions and select candidates for in-person interviews during a special meeting — the date, time and location of which have yet to be determined.

Those being considered will then be asked to appear before the council during a public meeting to answer questions.

The council’s final selection of a candidate to fill Penman’s vacancy must be completed before April 28 — 60 days after Penman’s removal on Wednesday.

The seat will be up for election next year. Penman was elected in 2022.

His vacancy comes just over a month after the council appointed Nolanda Robert to fill the District A vacancy of former Councilor Dion Guthrie, who was removed in November after he pleaded no contest to a felony theft charge in Baltimore County.

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