Harford County's newest judge beat back three challengers to win election to the bench in one of three contested local races in the state's primary election.
Angela M. Eaves, 48, the first woman and first African-American to serve on the Harford County Circuit Court, garnered 24,117 votes, 67 percent of Democratic ballots and 43 percent of Republican, with all 72 precincts reporting.
The Havre de Grace resident, appointed to the bench by Gov. Martin O'Malley in December, will run unopposed in the November general election for the 15-year term.
"I am truly grateful that the voters had such confidence in me," Eaves said yesterday. "They have definitely decided. I promise to do a good job for the next 15 years."
In winning the Democratic and Republican primaries, despite strong opposition from Harford's Republican Central Committee, Eaves scored a significant victory, said James E. Massey, director of Harford's Board of Elections. "Winning both parties, that shows bipartisan support," he said.
Among Eaves' challengers were Charles F. Wagner, 54, a Bel Air attorney who had the support of the county Republican Party; Bel Air lawyer H. Edward Andrews III, 60, and Aberdeen lawyer Steven J. Scheinin, 61.
The judicial race and the presidential and congressional contests played a role in the 41 percent voter turnout Tuesday in Harford, which was twice what election officials had predicted, Massey said.
"The presidential race was close for the Democrats and the 1st District congressional race gave both sides something interesting to vote for," Massey said.
In the nonpartisan Carroll County school board primary, two members of the board were among the four top vote-getters, who will move on to the general election, where two candidates will be elected to four-year terms.
With 45 of 46 precincts counted, challenger Jennifer Seidel, 36, of Mount Airy, an independent contractor who writes lesson plans and other teaching materials, led with 12,135 votes. Incumbent Cynthia L. Foley, 51, of Westminster was running second with 10,806 votes. Jeffrey L. Morse, 53, of Taneytown, who was appointed to the board last summer, was third with 6,278 and Barry D. Potts, 56, of Manchester was fourth with 6,248.
Results from the precinct that hasn't been reported are expected today, election officials said.
In the nonpartisan school board race in Howard County, six of the seven candidates moved on to the general election, where voters will elect three to four-year terms.
With all 110 precincts reporting, incumbent Janet Siddiqui, 46, a pediatrician from Clarksville, was the top Howard vote-getter with 26,338 votes. Ellen Flynn Giles, 57, of Scaggsville, the vice chairman of the school board, was second with 23,939, and Diane Butler, 53, vice president of the St. John's Lane Community Association from Ellicott City, was third with 23,507.
Others who advanced to the general election were Allen Dyer, 60, of Ellicott City, a computer consultant, lawyer and blacksmith, with 21,385 votes; Betsy Grater, 74, of Ellicott City, a retired bed-and-breakfast owner, with 14,025; and Di Zou, 19, of Glenwood, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park, with 11,851.
At Harford's 72 precincts, the unexpected extended hours because of the weather "did throw us for a loop," Massey said. Harford was not notified of the extra 90 minutes for voting until 15 minutes before polls were set to close, he said.
"It is part of the training, but it has never happened," he said. "We really scrambled. We had everybody on the phone to the precincts. I don't think anyone was turned away."
About 200 people voted after 8 p.m., a number Massey called remarkable given the icy conditions. Treacherous roads made delivering the ballots to election headquarters in Forest Hill, which Massey called "an ice rink," difficult. It was nearly 3 a.m. before the final count was posted.
The Harford Board of Elections will begin counting about 1,200 absentee ballots today.
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com
Sun reporters Arin Gencer and John-John Williams IV contributed to this article.
LOCAL RACES
Carroll County
Board of Education( Top four in total ballots go to general election to compete for two seats)
Jennifer Seidel 12,135
Cynthia L. Foley* 10,806
Jeffrey L. Morse* 6,278
Barry D. Potts 6,248
Jeff Sheehan 4,349
Draper S. Phelps 1,297
45 of 46 precincts reporting
Harford County
Circuit Court judge (one winner for each primary)
Democratic
Angela M. Eaves* 15,902
Charles F. Wagner 4,301
H. Edward Andrews III 2,411
Steven J. Scheinin 949
72 of 72 precincts reporting
Republican
Angela M. Eaves* 8,215
Charles F. Wagner 7,417
H. Edward Andrews III 2,387
Steven J. Scheinin 953
72 of 72 precincts reporting
Howard County
Board of Education(Top six in total ballots go to general election to compete for three seats)
Janet Siddiqui* 26,338
Ellen Flynn Giles* 23,939
Diane Butler 23,507
Allen Dyer 21,385
Betsy Grater 14,025
Di Zou 11,851
Faenita Dilworth 8,264
110 of 110 precincts reporting* indicates incumbent