By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Andrea Harrison, a former Prince George's County Council staffer, was holding on to a slim lead in a Democratic primary to fill a vacant seat on the council yesterday.

With all 25 polling places reporting, Harrison was ahead by 137 votes, about 4.3 percent, in a field of seven Democrats vying for their party's nomination in the central county district. Edmonston Mayor Adam Ortiz was running a close second. Absentee and provisional ballots had not been counted.

The winner will face Republican Steven W. Johnson in a general election May 6 in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.

The seat has been open since David C. Harrington (D) was elevated to the state Senate in February after the death of Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt.

Harrison, who used to work in Harrington's council office, received his endorsement, as well that of state Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D). Ortiz has the support of several county unions, including public safety associations and the Service Employees International Union.

He campaigned on his record as mayor of the tiny town of Edmonston and pledged to bring more transparency to county government. Harrison promised voters she would continue Harrington's efforts to reach out to the community.

The district stretches from the northeast D.C. border through Cheverly and into Mitchellville.

Other candidates were Theresa Dudley, Adrion J. Howell, Sherry James-Strother, Melvin Johnson and Derrick Parks.