State Sen. Sandra B. Schrader wasted no time taking aim at C. Vernon Gray, her Democratic rival in the general election, after learning last night that she had convincingly won in the District 13 Republican primary.
"The real race begins now and we're ready to go. Voters have a crystal clear choice, a senator who is a friend of the environment or a candidate who is a friend of growth. One who will solve the budget mess vs. a candidate who wants to broaden the tax base."
Gray said he plans to run "a positive campaign" from which "voters will hopefully learn about all the policies I've supported" and his "leadership capabilities."
Schrader awoke at 2 a.m. yesterday to begin posting campaign signs at polling places, she said. Gray spent the day talking to voters and campaigning.
"The adrenaline's running, and you can't sleep anyway. I'm excited to get this day over with," said Schrader, who defeated gun-rights advocate Edward L. Patrick for the GOP nomination.
"I find it exciting. I'm meeting a lot of folks," Gray said as he cruised between polling places at midafternoon. Gray had no primary opponent.
The candidates might have found it exciting, but the voters did not. Turnout was 27 percent, a hair higher than the 1998 primary turnout, though far below the 35 percent predicted statewide.
At the Savage library, 168 of 1,866 registered voters had appeared by 4 p.m. The polling place opened 30 minutes late after confusion about unlocking the building.
"It's been the slowest primary in a long while," said Mike Ivan, chief judge at Savage.
Despite scores of signs, waving candidates and months of campaigning, most Howard voters stayed away.
"I just don't want to [vote]," said Chip Wildy, 47, who was shopping at the River Hill Giant store amid shoppers wearing campaign T-shirts.
Others were perplexed.
"I don't understand why, after what happened [on Sept. 11 last year], people aren't voting. I thought [democracy] had everyone's attention," said Wade Lape, 33, a Republican from Elkridge.
The Schrader-Gray race for the District 13 state Senate seat could decide which party controls Howard County's slightly expanded, 11-member General Assembly delegation, and both candidates were eager to begin the final stage of their contest.
The seat is key because Republicans hold two of Howard's three state Senate seats. If Gray beats Schrader, Democrats are likely to have the majority, giving them control of local legislation.
Republican state Sen. Robert H. Kittleman has no opponent. State Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, a Columbia Democrat, won over Frank C. Fillmore and is strongly positioned in his general election contest against Republican novice Mike Sneeringer of Catonsville.
Among the delegates, District 13, which because of population growth and the Maryland Court of Appeals' redistricting plan is entirely within Howard County, is again the key battleground.
Incumbent Democrats Shane Pendergrass and Frank S. Turner won nominations in a field of five, while Neil F. Quinter, a former assistant attorney general, took the third spot.
Republicans Mary Beth Tung, Bob Adams and John Stafford, who said he lives in a motel in Prince George's County, were ahead on the GOP side as late returns came in.
Heavily Republican western Howard's District 9A favors Republican Dels. Gail H. Bates and Robert L. Flanagan, while District 12 Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Democrat, has no opponent.
Incumbent Del. James E. Malone Jr. and retired police officer Stephen J. DeBoy, who came close to winning four years ago, are Democrats seeking the other two District 12 seats against novice Republicans Joe Hooe, and Harry Korrell.
Sun staff writer Jason Song contributed to this article.
"The real race begins now and we're ready to go. Voters have a crystal clear choice, a senator who is a friend of the environment or a candidate who is a friend of growth. One who will solve the budget mess vs. a candidate who wants to broaden the tax base."
Gray said he plans to run "a positive campaign" from which "voters will hopefully learn about all the policies I've supported" and his "leadership capabilities."
Schrader awoke at 2 a.m. yesterday to begin posting campaign signs at polling places, she said. Gray spent the day talking to voters and campaigning.
"The adrenaline's running, and you can't sleep anyway. I'm excited to get this day over with," said Schrader, who defeated gun-rights advocate Edward L. Patrick for the GOP nomination.
"I find it exciting. I'm meeting a lot of folks," Gray said as he cruised between polling places at midafternoon. Gray had no primary opponent.
The candidates might have found it exciting, but the voters did not. Turnout was 27 percent, a hair higher than the 1998 primary turnout, though far below the 35 percent predicted statewide.
At the Savage library, 168 of 1,866 registered voters had appeared by 4 p.m. The polling place opened 30 minutes late after confusion about unlocking the building.
"It's been the slowest primary in a long while," said Mike Ivan, chief judge at Savage.
Despite scores of signs, waving candidates and months of campaigning, most Howard voters stayed away.
"I just don't want to [vote]," said Chip Wildy, 47, who was shopping at the River Hill Giant store amid shoppers wearing campaign T-shirts.
Others were perplexed.
"I don't understand why, after what happened [on Sept. 11 last year], people aren't voting. I thought [democracy] had everyone's attention," said Wade Lape, 33, a Republican from Elkridge.
The Schrader-Gray race for the District 13 state Senate seat could decide which party controls Howard County's slightly expanded, 11-member General Assembly delegation, and both candidates were eager to begin the final stage of their contest.
The seat is key because Republicans hold two of Howard's three state Senate seats. If Gray beats Schrader, Democrats are likely to have the majority, giving them control of local legislation.
Republican state Sen. Robert H. Kittleman has no opponent. State Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, a Columbia Democrat, won over Frank C. Fillmore and is strongly positioned in his general election contest against Republican novice Mike Sneeringer of Catonsville.
Among the delegates, District 13, which because of population growth and the Maryland Court of Appeals' redistricting plan is entirely within Howard County, is again the key battleground.
Incumbent Democrats Shane Pendergrass and Frank S. Turner won nominations in a field of five, while Neil F. Quinter, a former assistant attorney general, took the third spot.
Republicans Mary Beth Tung, Bob Adams and John Stafford, who said he lives in a motel in Prince George's County, were ahead on the GOP side as late returns came in.
Heavily Republican western Howard's District 9A favors Republican Dels. Gail H. Bates and Robert L. Flanagan, while District 12 Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Democrat, has no opponent.
Incumbent Del. James E. Malone Jr. and retired police officer Stephen J. DeBoy, who came close to winning four years ago, are Democrats seeking the other two District 12 seats against novice Republicans Joe Hooe, and Harry Korrell.
Sun staff writer Jason Song contributed to this article.