After the tabulation of absentee ballots yesterday, Del. Nancy S. Jacobs, an Abingdon Republican, eked out a 142-vote win in the race for state Senate in Harford County's District 34.

"I am very excited," Jacobs said after the final tally of votes at the American Legion hall in Bel Air gave her a victory over fellow Del. Mary Louise Preis, a Democrat. "I went into this 62 votes ahead and I'm now 142 to win."

The race was hard-fought between the two, with heated exchanges centering on the procedure called "partial-birth abortion" by anti-abortion activists. But despite the slim difference in votes, Preis, from Bel Air, said she would not challenge the results.

"I think I was about half successful -- minus 142 votes -- in getting my message across that I was the best candidate and that I could do the best job," Preis said. "I have some other ideas as to where I go from here. No grass grows under my feet."

Jacobs will fill the office held by David R. Craig. He failed in a bid to become the Republican candidate for county executive.

Pub Date: 11/06/98