Elaine Blaisdell
OAKLAND — About one-quarter of Garrett County’s registered voters decided the fate of the three Republican commissioners who were unseated Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial primary election results.
The voting turnout was at 25.26 percent, including early voting, according to results reported by the county to the State Board of Elections.
Paul Edwards ousted incumbent Jim Raley in District 2, with 50.5 percent of the votes, or a total of 1,933 votes to Raley’s 961 votes.
Edwards didn’t return a call for comment by press time.
Edwards will run unopposed in the November general election.
Edwards has 15 years in municipal government in Grantsville and is currently director of secondary education for Garrett County Public Schools. He will step down from his 10-year mayoral position in Grantsville.
In District 1, Larry Tichnell unseated incumbent Gregan Crawford, garnering 49.28 percent of the votes with a total of 1,850 to Crawford’s 1,055 votes.
“I appreciate all the people that voted for me. I was surprised to win as handily as I did because there was a lot of good candidates in my district,” said Tichnell. “Thanks to everybody for their support and appreciation. I look forward to the election in November.”
Tichnell will square off against Leo Martin, a Libertarian, in the November general election.
In District 3, Jim Hinebaugh beat incumbent Bob Gatto by 2.78 percent of the votes. Earning 36.48 percent of the votes, Hinebaugh had a total of 1,419 votes to Gatto’s 1,311 votes. Hinebaugh will face Democratic candidate April Hebden, who received a total of 626 votes, as well as Bill Welch, a Libertarian, and James R. “Smokey” Stanton, unaffiliated, in the general election.
“Obviously, I’m very pleased to win. It was a pretty tight race,” said Hinebaugh. “I’m pleased with the outcome — it’s closer than I would have liked but I’m happy I won. I’m looking forward to the general election in November.”
Calls to Raley, Crawford and Gatto weren’t returned by press time.
District 3 Board of Education candidate Monica Rinker led the way with 2,319 votes, followed by Fred Gregg with 1,665 votes and incumbent Rodney Reckart with 735 votes. Rinker and Gregg will move on to the general election with District 1 candidates Stuart Harvey and Mathew Paugh, incumbent, and District 2 candidate Thomas Carr, incumbent. District 1 and 2 candidates will go straight to the general election because there is only one candidate from District 2 and two candidates from District 1. There is only one open seat in each of the three districts.
State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch received 2,896 votes. Clerk of Circuit Court Timothy Miller received 3,080. Both ran unopposed. Register of Wills Rita L. Watson also ran unopposed with 3,188 votes.
Sheriff candidates Skyler Hebden, D, and incumbent Robert Corley, R, received 556 votes and 3,322 votes, respectively. Hebden and Corley will face off in the general election.
In the race for Judge of Orphans’ Court, Fred Sanders led over incumbent Wayne Wilt with 2,665 votes to 2,619 votes.
Jeff Hovis was the only candidate who ran for Democratic Central Committee with 652 votes. In the Republican Central Committee race, Brenda Butscher led with 2,357 votes, followed by Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, 2,274 votes; Brian Schlossnagle 2,128; Bill Bittinger 2,099; Tom Sheahen 1,759; DeCorsey Bolden 1,640; Bill Schrider 1,522; and John Pucciano, 1,467.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
