Bowie City Council incumbents celebrated their clear victories over challengers in Tuesday’s election by each climbing on a table at the Bowie Golf Club to thank family and friends who had gathered there to share some food and drink and watch the returns on a big-screen TV.
Around 9:30 p.m., Mayor G. Frederick Robinson, who was re-elected Tuesday after running unopposed, read the unofficial vote totals to a cheering crowd, who were happy to see each of the seven incumbents returned for additional two-year terms.
The absentee ballots remained to be counted, but Robinson said he didn’t think there were enough to change the outcomes.
None of the four challengers attended the event hosted by Robinson, choosing instead to stay home with family and supporters.
The tightest race was in District 2, where two-term incumbent Diane M. Polangin prevailed against second-time challenger Piero “Pete” Mellits, with 61 percent of the vote (932 votes to his 587), nearly identical to their 2009 matchup.
“You can’t win on your own; it takes a village,” said Polangin, who was the first to stand on the table and thank supporters.
Earlier in the evening, when it appeared she would win, she credited her success to her record of constituent service and said she wanted “to continue faithfully representing” the people in her district.
Polangin also had an assist during the campaign from Robinson, who publicly supported a return for all the incumbents.
Mellits, who had highlighted his experience as a civil engineer and a volunteer firefighter, did not immediately return a call for comment after the results were announced.
Victories in districts 3 and 4 were clearer-cut, with incumbents winning by margins of 4-1.
In District 3, current at-large Councilman Henri Gardner, who was appointed in January to fill out Geraldine Valentino-Smith’s term, prevailed in the election with 78 percent (618 votes).
Challenger Babatunde Alegbeleye had 22 percent, with 173 votes.
“I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it,” said Gardner, whose mother and aunt were in the crowd of supporters.
Earlier, when it appeared he would win, Gardner said it was said it was an incredible feeling and that he was relieved it was over. He also said he appreciated the welcome he received from residents as he campaigned door-to-door.
In District 4, incumbent Isaac Trouth won by a similar margin, with 78 percent (742 votes) compared to first-time challenger Carl Brown, who had 22 percent (321 votes).
“I think it’s fantastic, and I’m really excited,” said Trouth, who won a third term. “You never really get over winning and having the knowledge that people put their trust in you.”
“It’s all about service,” he said. “It’s about what the residents of Bowie want.”
When reached at home, Brown said he expected to do better after knocking on doors on every street in the district.
“I can’t believe the numbers, but the people spoke,” said Brown, who said he would remain active in the Northview Elementary School PTA and with scouting clubs.
He said he felt he had brought some new energy and ideas to the race and predicted that the council would return to business as usual.
Trouth acknowledged that Brown brought some ideas, but he said the council has already introduced some of them, including a business incubator and money for seniors to rehab their homes.
In the race for the two at-large seats, incumbent Dennis Brady won 45 percent (3,372 votes), and current District 3 Councilman Todd Turner had 42 percent (3,124 votes).
They defeated James G. Bell, who had 13 percent (995 votes).
Brady said the present council had done a phenomenal job during challenging economic times and that he looked forward to better times ahead for the state, county and city in the next term.
Turner also thanked supporters, voters, fellow council members and also his family, joking that his two young children “will finally get their daddy back” after his six months of campaigning.
Robinson and District 1 Councilman James Marcos were unopposed, with Marcos joking that he was just at the election night party for the food.
Council members serve two-year terms, with no limit on the number of terms to lead the city’s 55,000 residents.
Turnout was about 11 percent, with about 4,400 of approximately 40,400 registered voters coming to the polls.
vterhune@gazette.net
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