He edges out Kevin Grubb following final absentee ballot count.
Frederick, Md (KM) The new Frederick County Council will be majority Democrat. The final absentee ballot count from the November 6th election was held on Friday, and incumbent Democratic Councilman Jerry Donald edged out a victory over Republican challenger Kevin Grubb. Donald won 11,681 or 50.70% of the vote, while Grubb took in 11,336 or 49.20% of the vote. 345 votes separate Donald from Grubb.
Donald will be joining fellow Democrats Jessica Fitzwater, M.C. Keegan-Ayer and Kai Hagen on the Council.
Hagen was number one among the candidates for one of two at-large seats on the Council. After Friday’s count, he had 47,050 or 24.15 % of the vote. In second place was Republican Phiil Dacey, who had 45,017 or 23.11% of the vote. Coming in third was Republican Danny Farrar who had 44,713, or 22.95% of the vote. 304 votes separate Dacey from Farrar.
Election Director Stuart Harvey says Farrar came in at the threshold of one-half of one-percent behind Dacey, where the candidate could ask for a recount.. “The race for County Council at large is within that one-half of one-percent. But Mr. Farrar seems to indicate he will not be asking for a recount, ” says Harvey.
Democrat Susan Reeder Jessee came fourth with 44,495 or 22.84 % of the vote, which is also in the one-half of one-percent threshold.
Dacey, Michael Blue and Steve McKay will be the Republicans on the Council.
Harvey says the votes from the local races were certified Friday by the Board of Elections.
The County Executive and County Council members will be sworn into office on December 3rd at 10:00 AM at the Weinberg Center in Frederick.
By Kevin McManus