WORCESTER COUNTY– Four Republican candidates for Worcester County Commissioner are experiencing the longest election night ever.
Costa Ventosa owner and winemaker Kathryn Danko-Lord and Worcester County Business Contractors Association President Ted Elder are vying for the District 4 nomination, while Chip Bertino, publisher of the Courier newspaper, and Ocean Pines businessman Grant Helvey are competing for the District 5 nomination.
Following the June 24 primary, Elder led Danko-Lord by three votes. Two days later, after the first round of absentee ballots were counted, the two candidates were tied at 210 votes each. Beach to Bay Times publisher Molly Hilligoss finished third with 111 votes as of June 24.
“The outcome reminded me of ‘Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride,’” Danko-Lord said. “As a child, I loved the twisty, turny, up and down of the ride – but I loved it more when it was done. I wouldn’t say it’s stressful, but it’s definitely a little frustrating.
“There’s really nothing we can do about it but wait it out until it’s all counted,” Danko-Lord added.
Elder said it’s always difficult to predict the outcome of a local election.
“Going into the last week or so, I knew that my opponents were very capable campaigners and they were doing a wonderful job doing it,” he said. “It lit a fire under me to go do what I needed to do. That last day – people that don’t run for office don’t know how brutal that last day can be. It drains the candidate and all the candidate’s workers. I was ready to go to sleep, rest up and see what happens.”
Elder said he would back Danko-Lord if she wins the nomination.
“The Republican party has some great candidates on the slate this election,” he said. “I had made the statement even before decided to run that I would back whoever wins this, and I still hold to that. If she wins I will help her all I can.”
Bertino led Helvey 322 votes to 314 after the primary. Former Ocean Pines Association Director Ray Unger finished third with 71 votes.
No votes for District 5 were counted during the first round of absentee ballots. As many as 84 additional ballots could be counted during the second round of absentee and provisional tallying on July 2, and a third and final round will be counted on July 7.
“It’s a unique experience to be honest with you,” Bertino said. “Whatever happens happens, but I feel we’re in a pretty good position.”
Bertino expects to have a clearer picture after July 2.
“I just have to go about my business until then,” he said. “That’s the only thing I can do. There’s nobody I can impact – the votes have already been cast, and it’s going to be what it’s going to be.”
Helvey said he hasn’t spoken with Bertino.
“It’s out of no disrespect,” he said. “The election is not over, and I certainly will at the appropriate time.”
The candidate called the ongoing count “frustrating.”
“It’s not only frustrating for me, but it’s frustrating for all of those supporting me, as I’m sure it is for Mr. Bertino,” he said. “I did receive a call from Ray Unger, and he has wished me well and he asked if there was anything he could do to help me going forward.
“Among the three of us I think we all have an appropriate, cordial relationship, and we’re just awaiting the outcome,” Helvey continued. “Hopefully I still can become the candidate.”
Costa Ventosa owner and winemaker Kathryn Danko-Lord and Worcester County Business Contractors Association President Ted Elder are vying for the District 4 nomination, while Chip Bertino, publisher of the Courier newspaper, and Ocean Pines businessman Grant Helvey are competing for the District 5 nomination.
Following the June 24 primary, Elder led Danko-Lord by three votes. Two days later, after the first round of absentee ballots were counted, the two candidates were tied at 210 votes each. Beach to Bay Times publisher Molly Hilligoss finished third with 111 votes as of June 24.
“The outcome reminded me of ‘Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride,’” Danko-Lord said. “As a child, I loved the twisty, turny, up and down of the ride – but I loved it more when it was done. I wouldn’t say it’s stressful, but it’s definitely a little frustrating.
“There’s really nothing we can do about it but wait it out until it’s all counted,” Danko-Lord added.
Elder said it’s always difficult to predict the outcome of a local election.
“Going into the last week or so, I knew that my opponents were very capable campaigners and they were doing a wonderful job doing it,” he said. “It lit a fire under me to go do what I needed to do. That last day – people that don’t run for office don’t know how brutal that last day can be. It drains the candidate and all the candidate’s workers. I was ready to go to sleep, rest up and see what happens.”
Elder said he would back Danko-Lord if she wins the nomination.
“The Republican party has some great candidates on the slate this election,” he said. “I had made the statement even before decided to run that I would back whoever wins this, and I still hold to that. If she wins I will help her all I can.”
Bertino led Helvey 322 votes to 314 after the primary. Former Ocean Pines Association Director Ray Unger finished third with 71 votes.
No votes for District 5 were counted during the first round of absentee ballots. As many as 84 additional ballots could be counted during the second round of absentee and provisional tallying on July 2, and a third and final round will be counted on July 7.
“It’s a unique experience to be honest with you,” Bertino said. “Whatever happens happens, but I feel we’re in a pretty good position.”
Bertino expects to have a clearer picture after July 2.
“I just have to go about my business until then,” he said. “That’s the only thing I can do. There’s nobody I can impact – the votes have already been cast, and it’s going to be what it’s going to be.”
Helvey said he hasn’t spoken with Bertino.
“It’s out of no disrespect,” he said. “The election is not over, and I certainly will at the appropriate time.”
The candidate called the ongoing count “frustrating.”
“It’s not only frustrating for me, but it’s frustrating for all of those supporting me, as I’m sure it is for Mr. Bertino,” he said. “I did receive a call from Ray Unger, and he has wished me well and he asked if there was anything he could do to help me going forward.
“Among the three of us I think we all have an appropriate, cordial relationship, and we’re just awaiting the outcome,” Helvey continued. “Hopefully I still can become the candidate.”