WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) — Carroll County voters settled several contested Republican primaries Tuesday while a number of incumbents and unopposed candidates secured nominations for November, according to unofficial results from the Maryland State Board of Elections.
One of the closest races of the night came in the Republican primary for state’s attorney, where attorney George Psoras narrowly defeated incumbent Allan Culver, receiving 50.7% of the vote to Culver’s 49.3%. The 193-vote margin made it the closest countywide contest.
In the Republican primary for sheriff, Jim DeWees defeated Jay Landsman Jr. with 70.5% of the vote and will face Democratic nominee Gail Wickless, who ran unopposed. Heather DeWees secured the Republican nomination for clerk of the Circuit Court without opposition, while Paul Zimmermann defeated Crystal Starner for register of wills, 73.4% to 26.6%. Republican voters also selected Margaret “Peggy” Bair, Charles Coles Jr. and Tina Mawhinney to the Orphans’ Court, defeating LaRue Lennon for the three available seats.
County commissioner races were largely uncontested, though two Republican primaries drew competition. Incumbent Kenneth Kiler won the District 2 Republican nomination with 57.8%, defeating Todd Tracey and Kim Zentz. Former Commissioner Susan Krebs captured the District 5 Republican nomination with 70% of the vote over Thomas Gibson. Joe Vigliotti in District 1, Tom Gordon in District 3 and Michael Guerin in District 4 all ran unopposed in Republican contests, while Democrats Aaron Goldsmith in District 1, Dennis Frazier in District 3 and Megan Foelber in District 5 also advanced without opposition.
In legislative races, Senate Minority Leader Justin Ready ran unopposed for the Republican nomination in District 5 and will face Democrat Gary Foote, who was also unopposed. In District 42, Kevin Ford prevailed in a three-way Republican contest with 47% of the vote, defeating Adam Wood and Matt Fox. Stephanie Popescu won the Democratic primary with 61.2%, defeating Paul Henderson and Paul Konka.
Republican voters in House District 5 elected incumbent delegates April Rose and Chris Tomlinson, along with Steve Whisler, to advance to the general election. Sallie Taylor finished fourth. Democrats Alison Rudolph, Dayana Bergman and Courtney Alexa Welch were unopposed for their party’s three nominations. In District 42C, Republican Steve Patten and Democrat Corynne Courpas each ran unopposed.
In congressional races affecting portions of Carroll County, Republican Dave Wallace defeated Nnabu Eze in District 2, while Democratic Rep. Johnny Olszewski Jr. won renomination. In District 3, Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth defeated four challengers with 71.6% of the vote, and Berney Flowers won a four-way Republican contest with just over 50%.
At the statewide level, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller easily carried the Democratic primary vote in Carroll County. Republicans favored businessman Ed Hale in the gubernatorial contest. Brooke Lierman and Sonya Dunn ran unopposed for comptroller on their respective party tickets, while Attorney General Anthony Brown and Republican James Rutledge III also secured nominations without opposition.
The results are unofficial until certified by the Maryland State Board of Elections. With all 49 precincts reporting, the winners will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
