LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — After over a week of anticipation, Chris Palombi has officially secured the Republican ticket to face-off against House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer[D] in the November general election. Palombi said he recently received a call from Doug Sayers who had been trailing by over 2,000 votes, conceding the race to the political newcomer.

While some votes appear to still be getting totaled in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, Palombi has received exactly 36% of the Republican votes in Maryland’s 5th congressional district as of today. Sayers is currently sitting at 29.8%, with Kenneth Lee at 15.3%, Lee Havis at 11%, and Bryan DuVal Cubero at 7.9%. Over 32,000 votes were cast for Republicans in the congressional district.

“I am truly humbled and honored to have gotten so much support and encouragement from everyone in the district,” Palombi said. “I will bring a fresh and invigorating approach to politics, one not hampered by special interests or national political aspirations. There is a strong need for a representative that listens to the concerns of individuals, while protecting the rights and liberties for all. I am looking forward to having an open dialogue with both sides of the aisle that leads to positive solutions for our district and country. We have a lot of work to do on the road to November to challenge a 20-term incumbent, but I am ready.”

Although votes are still being counted, Sayers recently posted on social media, describing his thoughts on the campaign and the need for traditional polling places by November, while also offering congratulations to Palombi.

“I can always live with trying and receiving close to 30% of the Republican votes and setting an example of how a civil society debates issues in America,” Sayers said in his Facebook post. “The Governor needs to open all normal voting locations in future elections and allow residents to exercise their Right to vote and residents can decide to go vote safely, versus depending on a Maryland government agency to mail their ballot as too many lacked receiving a ballot…It takes a lot of energy to run for office. Thank you to my family and all the words of [encouragement] throughout. I made running for office a positive experience and thank you to all the residents that cast their vote for me.”

On the flip side, Steny Hoyer, who saw challenges from four other candidates, still managed to garner 64.4% of Democratic votes, totaling over 96,646 ballots. His closest challenge came from another political newcomer, Mckayla Wilkes, who achieved 26.7% of Democratic votes while appealing to a farther-left base. Democrats cast over 150,000 votes in the 5th District.

“I am so, so grateful. For every person who believed in me. I never thought that someone formerly incarcerated like myself would even be taken seriously,” Wilkes said last week. “We lost. But it does appear we won more votes than any primary challenger to Hoyer in 40 years… I won’t ever stop fighting.”

The general election is currently scheduled for November 3, 2020. Look for additional political coverage in the coming days.

Contact Zach at zach.hill@thebaynet.com