Imhoff will not challenge Penman’s request to be reseated on the Harford Council

A member of the Harford County Council says she will not challenge her removal so that her predecessor can return to his position.

Alison Imhoff, 39, said in a court filing Tuesday, that she will not challenge the reinstatement of Aaron Penman. The filing comes four days after Circuit Judge W. Michel Pierson, who is presiding over the case in Harford County, delayed a decision to reinstate Penman citing Imhoff’s right to due process.

“Alison Imhoff respects that Aaron Penman is the elected representative of District B in Harford County with the 4 year term ending in December 2026,” Imhoff writes in an affidavit filed with the court.

She adds that she believes Penman’s removal in 2025 “was not legal” and returning him to his position is expected.

She wrote that she “understands and respects due process, and will not challenge if Aaron Penman is reinstated. Wherefore, I request that the court grant the plaintiff’s (Penman’s) motion.”

Penman, a Republican who is employed as a deputy sheriff in Harford County, is seeking a return to his seat following an appellate court decision that overturned his removal in 2025.

He was removed nearly 18 months ago after County Executive Bob Cassilly (R) challenged the deputy’s eligibility to serve.

A Harford County Circuit judge ruled Penman was ineligible to serve on the council while also being employed as a deputy.

Imhoff, a social worker, was appointed by the Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy. At the same time, Penman engaged in a series of appeals that ultimately landed in the Appellate Court of Maryland.

The Appellate Court ruled in April that Harford County Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Bernhardt Sr. wrongfully removed Penman. Much of that opinion cited an earlier ruling in another case in which Bernhardt sided with Cassilly, who wanted to block Jacob Bennett (D) from being seated on the council.

Cassilly contended that Bennett’s job as a middle school science teacher in Harford County made him ineligible to serve.

The Supreme Court of Maryland ultimately ruled against Cassilly and cleared the way for Bennett to be sworn in.

The lengthy appeal for Penman derailed his decision to run for his seat again this year. Penman registered as a candidate but as the deadline to withdraw approached, the Appellate Court had yet to issue a ruling. Penman withdrew and endorsed Imhoff, who filed to retain the seat to which she was appointed.

Last week, Penman returned to the Harford County Circuit Court asking Pierson to return him to his council seat for the balance of the term that ends in December.

Pierson vacated the 2025 Bernhardt order, clearing a key hurdle for Penman. The judge delayed a decision on whether or not Penman can be reseated — which requires Imhoff to be removed — to allow the councilmember an opportunity to respond.