Former NAACP president Ben Jealous has won the Democratic gubernatorial primary with 39 percent of the vote to face off against incumbent Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan in the fall.
He racked up more than 217-thousand votes by late last night beating out Rushern Baker who came in with just over 160-thousand votes or 29 percent of ballots cast.
Jealous is a progressive who was backed by former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and would be come to first African American governor in Maryland if he succeeds in November.
Jesse Colvin Wins
Meanwhile in Maryland’s First Congressional District Democrats have nominated Jesse Colvin to challenge incumbent Republican Andy Harris.
Colvin garnered over 13-thousand votes or 38 percent of the ballots cast beating out his closest challenger Allison Galbraith who received 28 percent.
He raised the most campaign money and picked up the endorsement of Republican Wayne Gilchrest who represented the district until Harris ousted him in the 2008 GOP primary.
Senator Ben Cardin handily beat out the field in the Democratic Party with 80 percent of the vote.
His most notable was challenger Chelsea Manning with only 5 percent.
She was convicted of providing secret U.S. government documents to Wikileaks.
Manning issued a statement last night saying that her campaign had advanced “an anti-authoritarian agenda” adding that it was part of “a growing political insurrection”.
A new record was set for the number of women running for office in Maryland with a total of 190 candidates.
WBOC reports that women make up around a third of the state legislative office holders in the state.
Other Local Races
Meanwhile in District 38 state Senator Jim Mathias won the Democratic primary with around 55-hundred votes while his Republican challenger Delegate Mary Beth Carozza won her primary with nearly 79-hundred votes.
In other local races Republican Matt Crisafulli eked out a win for Worcester County Sheriff with just over 22-hundred votes over Mike McDermott who received just over 21-hundred votes.
Republican voters also chose Bud Church to square off against Democrat Zachery Tyndall for the District 3 seat on the Worcester County Commission.
With no Democrats on the ballot Kris Heiser won the GOP primary with 51 percent of the vote for Worcester County State’s Attorney while Wayne Hartman won the GOP contest for the House of Delegates District 38C.
Wine Retailer Wins Congressional Primary
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The co-owner of giant wine retailer Total Wine & More has won Maryland's Democratic primary for the state's only open congressional seat.
David Trone took first place in Tuesday's crowded race in the state's 6th district.
Two years ago, Trone broke a record as the biggest self-funder for a House candidate. He spent $13.4 million in a failed primary bid for the 8th District congressional seat.
He's reported spending about $10 million of his own money in this race.
Trone has highlighted the opioid crisis as a top concern and focused on job creation. He says his business created close to 7,000 jobs in 24 states.
The district has been criticized as one of the state's most gerrymandered. Rep. John Delaney doesn't live in the 6th District and isn't running for re-election. He's seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
