Nearly one week post-primary, results remain unofficial as mail-in ballots continue to be counted. A concession in the county executive race and a competitive council at-large race are the latest developments. The next mail-in ballot canvass is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
County Executive Race
Andrew Friedson (D) conceded Sunday after Will Jawando (D) claimed the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Executive.
“After allowing two additional days to count the outstanding mail-in ballots to respect the process and ensure every voice is heard, it has become clear that there are not enough remaining votes to change the outcome of this election,” Friedson wrote in a statement.
“I have spoken with Will to congratulate him on his successful campaign, and offered him my support as our Democratic nominee. We are all deeply invested in our County’s success, and that is all I have ever wanted for the only place I have ever called home: a community that is affordable, economically competitive, and guided by a government that truly works for the people it serves.”
Before Friedson’s concession, Jawando declared victory Friday.
“WE DID IT! I am so proud, humbled, and beyond grateful to be your Democratic Nominee for County Executive. This win belongs to every single one of you. The volunteers who knocked doors in the heat. The neighbors who made calls. The folks who believed in us from day one and never let up,” Jawando wrote in a statement.
Per the latest results, Jawando has 40.07% of the vote while Friedson has 34.11%. Evan Glass (D), the third runner-up among Democrats per unofficial results, has 22.02%. Mithun Banerjee has 2.25% and Peter James 1.55%.
In the race for Republican nominee, the Maryland Republican Party congratulated Esther Wells (R) as the Republican nominee for county executive. Wells leads with 60.74% of the vote. The other candidate Shelly Skolnick (R) has 39.26%.
County Council At-Large Race
Among 17 Democratic candidates, Marc Elrich (D) — who is currently term-limited as county executive continues leads the council at-large race with the most votes. He has 56,751 votes, which is 14.7%.
Other candidates who lead for one of the four open at-large seats:
Incumbent Laurie-Anne Sayles (D) follows Elrich with 12.56% of the vote.
Scott Goldberg (D) comes in third so far with 12% of the vote.
Fourth place for Democrats is a tight competition between Fatmata Barrie (D) and Karla Silvestre (D). Silvestre, currently on the school board, has 10.45% of the vote — coming just ahead of Barrie who has 10.21%. It is an 897-vote difference, per the latest unofficial results.
Among Republicans, Sherwin Wells (R) — brother of the leading Republican candidate for county executive, Esther Wells — is the sole Republican candidate for council at-large. He has 9,176 votes.
County Council District 3 Race
In the seven council district races, the current closest race is for Democratic nominee for District 3. Current District 3 Councilmember Sidney Katz (D) is term-limited.
Jud Ashman (D) — who is on Montgomery Community Media’s Board of Directors — leads with 46.4% of the vote. Izola Shaw follows with 43.39%. It is currently a 424-vote difference.
Ricky Fai Mui (R) is the only Republican candidate for council District 3, with 1,152 votes.
State Senate Upset?
Many of the current state senators ran uncontested and those who were opposed won easily according to the current vote count. But in the Upcounty District 39, Senator Nancy King trails newcomer Amar Mukunda by more than 1100 votes.
