Hoyer coasts to win in Democratic primary

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

With all but a handful of votes tabulated — absentee, provisional and overseas ballots will be counted at a later date — Hoyer received 83 percent of the vote and will face Republican Collins Bailey, a four-term member of the Charles County Board of Education who handily defeated the other GOP candidate, in the November general election.

Democrat James Patrick Cusick Sr. of Lexington Park ran a quixotic challenge to Hoyer in which he raised no money and assembled a bare-bones campaign operation. Still, he garnered 17 percent of the vote, or more than 17,500 tallies.

‘‘I am very honored to win the Democratic primary and to be a part of such a historic election for the state of Maryland,” Hoyer said in a statement released by his campaign on Tuesday night. ‘‘I want to thank the voters of the 5th District of Maryland for supporting me. I look forward to continuing our dialogue on the issues facing our community.”

The Republican race between Bailey and Upper Marlboro lawyer Mike Hethmon was closer: 44 percent to 29 percent. Jesse James Dann of Owings, who dropped out of the race two weeks ago still reeled in 27 percent of the vote and finished only 75 votes behind Bailey in Calvert.

The highest-ranking Maryland congressman in history, Hoyer will be heavily favored to retain his seat in the general election. Leading up to the primary, he spent virtually no time campaigning in a district that encompasses parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties and all of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. He is also one of Congress’ most prolific fundraisers and has built a formidable war chest.

Polls remained open for an extra 90 minutes on Tuesday night as icy conditions throughout the state made it difficult for voters to get to the polls.

abrody@somdnews.com