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Md. Challenger Edwards Wins Stunning Victory Over Long-Time Incumbent Wynn
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Edwards said she was proud to have support of national activists, including the likes of Democratic activist James Dean -- brother of former presidential candidate Howard -- and actor Danny Glover. But she argued district voters backed her effort, too.
Voting yesterday at Evangel Cathedral in Upper Marlboro, father and son Melvin and Chris Spencer said they had voted for Edwards, feeling it was time for a change in their representation.
"We felt he was a little out of touch with us voters," Chris Spencer said. "His time is done."
Ivone McReynolds of Cameron Grove said she decided to back Wynn based on negative campaigning by Edwards and her supporters.
"She came off as so spiteful and so degrading," McReynolds said. "She didn't promote herself. She demoted Wynn."
Four other Democrats were also competing in the race: economist Michael Babula, utility consultant Jason Jennings, retired activist George E. McDermott and real estate agent George E. Mitchell.
Four Republicans were also competing to take on Wynn or his successful challenger in the 4th district. They were Michael Moshe Starkman, who ran against Wynn in 2006, as well as Robert Broadus, Peter James and Vincent Martorano.
Starkman argued the nasty tone of the race between Edwards and Wynn might create an unusual opening for Republicans in November. At a recent debate, Starkman described one recent conversation he had with a voter.
"If you're not him and you're nother, I'm with you," he said the voter told him.
In Maryland's 1st district, Gilchrest received support from President Bush and former House speaker Newt Gingrich. In the Republican primary, he is vying against Harris, Pipkin and two other contenders -- author Joe Arminio and former Baltimore County Orphan's Court judge Robert Joseph Banks.
Although his district typically votes Republican in November, it includes more registered Democrats than Republicans. State Democratic leaders vowed to make a serious play to pick up the seat in November regardless of the Republican primary winner. They were backing Queen Anne's state's attorney Rank M. Kratovil Jr. in the Democratic primary against three others.
Elsewhere, Maryland's most powerful congressman, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer faced one Democratic challenger, while three Republicans competed to battle the winner of the contest in the fall -- Lumber broker Collins Bailey, Jesse James Dann, attorney Mike Hethmon.In Montgomery County, three-term incumbent Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) faced two Democratic opponents, while five Republicans competed for the GOP nomination -- Ophthalmic surgeon Steven J. Hudson, non-government organization president Meyer F. Marks, lawyer Brian Mezger, software company executive Jay Roberts and lawyer Bruce Stern.
The newest member of the Maryland House Delegation, first-term Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D), faced a challenge from Annapolis businessman John M. Rea. Republicans were choosing their candidate from among three contenders -- Thomas E. "Pinkston" Harris. Christopher Panasuk, a Verizon technician. Aerospace engineer Paul Spause. John Stafford, an investment strategy newsletter editor.
Six-term incumbent Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, who had spent recent days campaigning hard for Obama, faced his own challenge from Baltimore activist Charles Ulysses Smith. Two Republicans vied to take on the Democratic nominee in the Howard County and Baltimore City district.
Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett faced four challengers for the GOP nomination in his Frederick and Montgomery County district. Army veteran Andrew Duck, the unsuccessful Democratic challenger in 2006, was competing with four others for the chance to challenge the Republican nominee in the fall -- Frederick mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty.
Washington area voters in Howard, Montgomery and Calvert counties also selected nonpartisan school board candidates to compete in November.
Staff writer Nelson Hernandez contributed to this story.
