Primary election results

The primary election yesterday had some unexpected winners and some unexpected losers.

One of the races with the most excitement and national coverage was the democratic District 8 congressional primary. Mark Shriver, who had held lead throughout most of the election, was defeated by Chris Van Hollen. Van Hollen will now face Republican Connie Morella in the general election. According to the Maryland Board of Elections, Van Hollen got 43.5% of the vote while Shriver trailed with 40.6%.

A little before midnight, Shriver came out to address his celebration party to say that his lead was tentative but that he could not declare a victory. Earlier that night, at around 10:45, Van Hollen came out to address his party to give thanks to his supporters but to announce that the race was still undecided. The counting went way into the night due to computer problems.

Former Blair PTSA president Sally Sternbach lost to Tom Perez in the democratic primary for county council. The winners for the democratic primary for county council at large were Steven Silverman, Michael L. Subin, Nancy Floreen, and George L. Leventhal.

Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Republican Robert Ehrlich easily beat their opponents and will face each other in the governor's race. William Donald Schaefer won the democratic primary for comptroller to face Republican Gene Zarwell in the general election. Also, in District 20 the winners for the Maryland State House democratic primary were Sheila Hixson and Peter Franchot.