(Nov. 6, 2014) It was a tough day for Democrats across the country, while Worcester County showed an even greater preference for Republicans in almost all offices.
Larry Hogan grabbed most of the headlines on election evening, Tuesday, Nov. 4, upsetting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown by more than 75,000 votes statewide. Hogan won 51.47 percent of the vote in Maryland, but he absolutely dominated in Worcester County, winning on almost 70 percent of ballots.
Democratic Sen. Brian E. Frosh defeated Republican Jeffrey N. Pritzker in the Md. attorney general race, winning 55.5 percent of the vote. In Worcester County, however, Pritzker won more than 61 percent of the vote.
Likewise with Comptroller Peter Franchot, another Democrat, who easily won reelection 62.46 to 37.39 statewide over Republican challenger William H. Campbell. But in Worcester County, Campbell won more than 55 percent of the vote.
Voters consistently saw red in Worcester, even though Republicans have the slightest of numerical advantages as of the final day of registration.
Only Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), who won more than 70 percent of the vote in his district, did worse in Worcester County, winning by a mere 64.5 to 35.5 percent over challenger Bill Tilghman.
One Democrat who did survive the GOP juggernaut was Sen. Jim Mathias in the District 38 state senate race. He posted a 1228 vote-lead over Del. Mike McDermott, 19,133 to 17,905. Mathias, former mayor of Ocean City, won 51.63 percent of the district vote and 51.6 percent of the county vote. Campaign manager Brian Kemmet said the senator was “cautiously optimistic,” although he admitted Wednesday morning, “we’re declaring nothing.”
In local House of Delegate races, District 38A Republic Del. Charles Otto held on to win reelection over former Crisfield Mayor Percy Purnell, a Democrat. Republican Mary Beth Carozza, former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bob Ehrlich, defeated Democratic challenger Judy Davis in the 38C race.
Even Democrat Norm Conway, the long serving delegate and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, whose District 38B seat was redrawn out of the county, was not safe from the onslaught. Conway, who held his seat since 1987, lost to Republican challenger Carl Anderton.
Six of the seven Worcester County Commissioners seats also went Republican, with only District 2 Democrat Diana Purnell winning a seat over Republican Lorraine Purnell-Ayers. Merrill Lockfaw won in District 1, unopposed. Bud Church beat firefighter Michael Maykrantz in District 3. Tea Party Republican Ted Elder upset veteran District 4 commissioner Virgil Shockley in District 4. Courier newspaper publisher Chip Bertino beat Tom Wilson in District 5, and Jim Bunting and Joe Mitrecic won unopposed races in districts 6 and 7, respectively.
Republican Beau Oglesby was reelected state’s attorney over Democratic challenger Michael Farlow, and Republican Susan Braniecki easily defeated Democrat Valerie Gaskill for clerk of the circuit court. Reggie Mason, unopposed, was reelected sheriff.
More than 35,000 people cast ballots on Election Day in Worcester County, totaling 51.13 percent of registered voters, the eighth-highest turnout in Maryland. Those numbers were lower than the 61.6 percent of voters that showed up in 2012 during the presidential election, but remained higher than the 48.02 percent of voters who turned out in 2010, the last off-year election.
Finally, in case you were wondering, there are only 733 days remaining until the presidential election in 2016. To register to vote visit www.elections.state. md.us/voter_registration.
Larry Hogan grabbed most of the headlines on election evening, Tuesday, Nov. 4, upsetting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown by more than 75,000 votes statewide. Hogan won 51.47 percent of the vote in Maryland, but he absolutely dominated in Worcester County, winning on almost 70 percent of ballots.
Democratic Sen. Brian E. Frosh defeated Republican Jeffrey N. Pritzker in the Md. attorney general race, winning 55.5 percent of the vote. In Worcester County, however, Pritzker won more than 61 percent of the vote.
Likewise with Comptroller Peter Franchot, another Democrat, who easily won reelection 62.46 to 37.39 statewide over Republican challenger William H. Campbell. But in Worcester County, Campbell won more than 55 percent of the vote.
Voters consistently saw red in Worcester, even though Republicans have the slightest of numerical advantages as of the final day of registration.
Only Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), who won more than 70 percent of the vote in his district, did worse in Worcester County, winning by a mere 64.5 to 35.5 percent over challenger Bill Tilghman.
One Democrat who did survive the GOP juggernaut was Sen. Jim Mathias in the District 38 state senate race. He posted a 1228 vote-lead over Del. Mike McDermott, 19,133 to 17,905. Mathias, former mayor of Ocean City, won 51.63 percent of the district vote and 51.6 percent of the county vote. Campaign manager Brian Kemmet said the senator was “cautiously optimistic,” although he admitted Wednesday morning, “we’re declaring nothing.”
In local House of Delegate races, District 38A Republic Del. Charles Otto held on to win reelection over former Crisfield Mayor Percy Purnell, a Democrat. Republican Mary Beth Carozza, former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Bob Ehrlich, defeated Democratic challenger Judy Davis in the 38C race.
Even Democrat Norm Conway, the long serving delegate and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, whose District 38B seat was redrawn out of the county, was not safe from the onslaught. Conway, who held his seat since 1987, lost to Republican challenger Carl Anderton.
Six of the seven Worcester County Commissioners seats also went Republican, with only District 2 Democrat Diana Purnell winning a seat over Republican Lorraine Purnell-Ayers. Merrill Lockfaw won in District 1, unopposed. Bud Church beat firefighter Michael Maykrantz in District 3. Tea Party Republican Ted Elder upset veteran District 4 commissioner Virgil Shockley in District 4. Courier newspaper publisher Chip Bertino beat Tom Wilson in District 5, and Jim Bunting and Joe Mitrecic won unopposed races in districts 6 and 7, respectively.
Republican Beau Oglesby was reelected state’s attorney over Democratic challenger Michael Farlow, and Republican Susan Braniecki easily defeated Democrat Valerie Gaskill for clerk of the circuit court. Reggie Mason, unopposed, was reelected sheriff.
More than 35,000 people cast ballots on Election Day in Worcester County, totaling 51.13 percent of registered voters, the eighth-highest turnout in Maryland. Those numbers were lower than the 61.6 percent of voters that showed up in 2012 during the presidential election, but remained higher than the 48.02 percent of voters who turned out in 2010, the last off-year election.
Finally, in case you were wondering, there are only 733 days remaining until the presidential election in 2016. To register to vote visit www.elections.state. md.us/voter_registration.