WASHINGTON — Campaigns with close races across Maryland have been weighing their options regarding recounts, and by Tuesday afternoon, three campaigns made the call: They want a do-over.
In the race for Baltimore County executive, Maryland state Sen. James Brochin is filing a petition for a recount. The unofficial count in the Democratic primary put his opponent, Johnny Olszewski, ahead by nine votes.
Democrat Samir Paul, who lost out to Sara Love in the Maryland House of Delegates race for District 16 by nine votes, has indicated he’ll ask for a recount.
In an incredibly tight race, Howard County Council member Jon Weinstein, who lost by two votes to Liz Walsh in the Democratic primary, is also petitioning to have votes counted again.
In Montgomery County, where County Council member Marc Elrich beat businessman David Blair by 80 votes, the Blair campaign is still weighing options.
“We must respect the election process and let the Board of Elections’ dedicated staff finish their audit and certify the results,” said the Blair campaign’s Laura Evans Manatos in a statement. “… The residents of Montgomery County deserve our collective patience in this important election.”
Close votes were recorded in a number of Maryland races, including in Prince George’s County, where Rodney Streeter won the District 7 council race against Krystal Oriadha by 31 votes. Sydney Harrison won over Tamara Davis Brown in the District 9 council race by 55 votes, and in the House of Delegates race for Distrct 23A, incumbent Democrat Geraldine Valentino-Smith won by 42 votes, over Shabnam Ahmed, who was weighing her options on a possible recount.
