Prince George’s Democrats set to sweep election

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006

by Judson Berger and Jason Flanagan

Staff Writer

Prince George’s County Democrats appear to have swept every local race in the general election, based on returns early Wednesday reflecting 80 percent of the precincts reporting.

In County Council District 3, College Park City Councilman Eric Olson (D) was leading New Carrollton City Councilman James Wildoner (R) by 66 points. Incumbent Councilman David Harrington (D-Dist. 5) was also leading Republican challenger Francis Marshall by 86 points.

The other seven Council candidates did not face any Republican opponents.

In the state Senate races, former delegate Jim Rosapepe, winner of the Democratic primary, led Sen. John Giannetti by 44 points in Prince George’s County, which makes up the bulk of District 21. Giannetti shocked the local political establishment when he switched parties to become a Republican after the primary so he could run again.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Dist. 27), the only other local Senator facing an opponent Tuesday, was leading Republican Ron Miller by 67 points.

And in the House of Delegates races, the Democratic nominees all held large leads over their Republican opponents.

In District 21, newly nominated Democratic candidates Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Ben Barnes held a wide lead with incumbent Del. Barbara Frush over Republican Neil Sood.

All three Democratic candidates in Districts 25 and 26 were also trouncing their Republican opponents, based on the early returns. Newly nominated Democratic candidate Aisha Braveboy, along with incumbent delegates Melony Griffith (D) and Dereck Davis (D), were each carrying with over 30 of the vote in District 25, edging out Republican Patrick Schaeffer. And Del. Veronica Turner (D), along with Democratic primary victors Jay Walker and Kris Valderrama, were each carrying with about the same percentage in District 26, to edge out Republican John Rowe.

And delegates James Proctor and Joseph Vallario were keeping a very safe lead over their Republican challengers in District 27.

Meanwhile, the glitches that plagued election operations during the primary seemed to have been corrected.

‘‘There’s been no major problems at this point,” said Board of Elections president John Di Stefano, who said the process was going much more smoothly. He said long lines at the polls could be attributed to the fact that voters had to take time to read the 17 ballot questions.

The Gazette received reports from three voter advocacy groups that some machines were not correctly logging votes. But Di Stefano said he had not heard those complaints.

He also said the board of elections was able to fill all 15,000 absentee ballot requests.