Absentee ballots will decide local races

Kullen beats Hale in 27B

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by Darwin Weigel Candidate for state Senate in District 27B David Hale (R) gets a little help from son Sean, 5, as the elder Hale votes at Windy Hill Middle School Tuesday morning. Turnout in Calvert was heavy, poll workers said. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Precinct tallies had Kullen (D-Calvert) receiving nearly 2,000 more votes than Hale (R) — 6,336 to 4,637. About 2,200 absentee votes must be counted on Thursday and the final result will be certified on Nov. 17, following tabulations of provisional, overseas and military ballots.

Kullen, 46, who was appointed to the seat in 2004 after former delegate George W. Owings III became state veterans affairs secretary, ran a vigorous shoe-leather campaign that aimed to reach voters one at a time. The former director of the Arc of Southern Maryland was a surprise choice to replace Owings because of her lack of political experience.

Conversely, Hale, 42, has been in the public eye as commissioner for the past eight years — six as president. He has also chaired the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland executive board for two years and served on the board of directors for the Maryland Association of Counties for three years.

Republicans saw Kullen as one of the state’s most vulnerable incumbents, but she has built a political support base through her visibility at community functions, from business grand openings to eagle scout pinnings.

Despite the competitive nature of the race, it lacked the drama or acrimony that marked other closely contested campaigns.

Both candidates held to their pledge to run clean campaigns. Only one negative ad directed at Kullen, paid for by the House Republican Slate Committee, appeared in voters’ mailboxes.

Meanwhile, incumbent Del. Anthony J. O’Donnell cruised to victory over Democratic challenger Norma Powers in a district that includes most of southern Calvert and stretches into St. Mary’s County. Early precinct returns had O’Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary’s) ahead of Powers (D) 60 to 40 percent.

Since Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. entered office four years ago, O’Donnell, 45, has played a more prominent role as one of the governor’s closest allies, but he has also butted heads with Democratic leadership. Powers, 67, a retired U.S. Navy civilian employee, fielded a low-budget campaign in which she reasoned that, as a newcomer, constituent service would trump political allegiance.

Also, incumbent Dels. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. and James E. Proctor Jr., both Democrats, rolled to victory in a district that includes four precincts in northern Calvert.

In northern Calvert, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. coasted past Republican challenger Ron Miller 8,774 to 6,565. The district includes 20 precincts in Prince George’s County and overall totals were unknown at press time.

E-mail Alan Brody at abrody@somdnews.com.