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| Sheriff Zylak with his wife, Debbie, on Tuesday evening The Bay Net Photo by Anna Bedford |
One of the tightest races Tuesday night was between the democrat candidates for St. Mary’s County Sheriff. As the precincts reported their counts the lead frequently switched between Deputy Kevin Somerville and incumbent Sheriff Dave Zylak. During the reporting of votes, and while the outcome was still uncertain, Zylak said by phone of his deputy challenger, “we’ll still be friends.”
At the end of the night Zylak was ahead by 205 votes – a thin margin that equates to under 3 %. There are still 821 absentee ballots that remain to be counted – enough to tip the scale in either direction. It is, however, likely that the absentees will follow the general slight trend to favor Zylak.
Tuesday night Frank Marquart, President of the Federal Order of Police, Great Mills (Lodge 7) was among those who found it too close to call. The FOP was meeting yesterday and had planned to vote on whom to endorse for sheriff in the general election. Marquart anticipated that, with a margin under 3% and over 800 potential votes yet to come in, the Lodge would postpone their vote until the winner of the primary was certain.
Sheriff Zylak was with his wife, Debbie, at Old Breton Inn, in Leonardtown, on Tuesday with fellow democrats as the votes began to come in. Somerville was also present early in the evening but left to join a party at his father’s home. As the crowd of candidates and politicians prepared to disperse, Zylak had won the primary so far. His mood was not entirely celebratory. “It is such a clear message that I have to work a little bit harder,” he said.