Updated with final certified primary results posted on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
LA PLATA, MD — Charles County voters now know who will appear on the November ballot after Tuesday’s primary election settled races from governor to county commissioner.
While Gov. Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox secured their parties’ nominations for Maryland’s highest office, several of the night’s most closely watched contests played out closer to home.
Maryland voters will choose the state’s top three elected officials — governor, comptroller and attorney general — all four-year terms that help shape policy across all 24 counties. These races typically draw the most campaign spending and media attention, as the positions oversee major state agencies and budgets that affect education, healthcare, law enforcement and economic development.
- Governor: Wes Moore and Aruna Miller (D) vs. Dan Cox and Rob Krop (R)
- Comptroller: Brooke Lierman (D) vs. Sonya Dunn (R)
- Attorney General: Anthony Brown (D) vs. James Rutledge III (R)
Final Count Confirms Winners, Narrows and Widens Key Margins
The Maryland State Board of Elections certified final results for the June 23, 2026 primary, with all 34 of 34 Charles County election day precincts reporting as of Thursday, July 2. The final tally — which includes mail-in and provisional ballots counted after election night — shifted vote totals in several close races, though no outcomes changed.
In the Democratic primary for governor, Wes Moore’s share grew slightly to 88.78 percent over Eric Felber’s 11.22 percent, up from 88.73 percent on election night.
The Charles County commissioner president race also came into sharper focus. Amanda Stewart’s final total rose to 53.03 percent, ahead of Dyotha R. Sweat’s 34.26 percent and Vontasha Romechia Simms’ 12.71 percent — up from Stewart’s election-night total of 50.53 percent.
The tightest race of election night, the Democratic primary for County Commissioner District 1, saw its margin grow substantially once the final count was certified. Gilbert “BJ” Bowling defeated Dezmond A. Rosier 2,231 votes to 1,932 votes, a 299-vote margin — up from the 31-vote margin reported on election night.
In the U.S. House District 5 Democratic primary, Adrian Boafo’s final share rose to 33.66 percent on 6,916 votes, up from an election-night total of 32.23 percent on 4,900 votes.
In the State Senate District 28 Democratic primary, C.T. Wilson defeated Aaron Corbin 75.70 percent to 24.30 percent.
In the House of Delegates District 28 Democratic primary, Debra Davis led with 26.37 percent, followed by Edith J. Patterson at 24.49 percent and Abena Affum-McAllister at 20.27 percent. On the Republican side, James Emerson Ashburn defeated Winfield W. Clark Jr., 52.22 percent to 47.78 percent.
The figures below reflect election-night results reported Wednesday, June 24, 2026, before final certification.
U.S. House And Maryland Senate
Congressional races determine Maryland’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, where members serve two-year terms and vote on federal legislation affecting taxes, healthcare, defense spending and infrastructure. District 5 spans portions of three counties and has been competitive in recent cycles, making it a closely watched race both locally and nationally.
State senators serve four-year terms and represent districts within Maryland’s 47-member Senate, the chamber that crafts state law alongside the House of Delegates. These legislators set education policy, approve the state budget, and decide issues like gun control, healthcare expansion and tax policy that directly impact Charles County residents.
U.S. House District 5
Democrat Adrian Boafo emerged from a crowded 24-candidate primary field with 32.23% of the vote and will face Republican Michelle Talkington, who won her party’s nomination with 47.01%.
The district includes portions of Charles, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties and has historically favored Democratic candidates.
Maryland Senate District 27
Kevin Harris won the Democratic primary with 74.44% of the vote and will face Republican Al Larsen in November.
Maryland Senate District 28
Sen. C.T. Wilson secured the Democratic nomination with 75.89% of the vote. No Republican candidate filed for the race, leaving Wilson unopposed in the general election.
House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates works alongside the state Senate to pass laws, approve the state budget and address issues affecting residents across the state. Delegates serve four-year terms, and Charles County voters will cast ballots in two House districts this November.
District 27A
Yonelle Moore Lee secured the Democratic nomination with 38.85% of the vote in a four-candidate primary. She will face Republican Jim Crawford, who advanced unopposed.
District 28
District 28 voters may select up to three candidates in the general election.
Democrats Debra Davis, Edith J. Patterson and Abena Affum-McAllister secured their party’s nominations after finishing first, second and third in the primary with 26.32%, 24.18% and 20.10% of the vote, respectively.
Republicans James Emerson Ashburn and Winfield W. Clark Jr. advanced from the GOP primary with 52.51% and 47.49% of the vote, respectively.
The five candidates will compete for the district’s three House of Delegates seats in November.
County Commissioner Races
Charles County Commissioners oversee a $1 billion annual budget and make decisions on land use, public safety, schools and infrastructure that shape daily life for county residents. The president’s position carries special authority in budget negotiations and board leadership; the four district seats represent geographic areas within the county.
County Commissioner President
District 3 Commissioner Amanda Stewart won the Democratic primary with 50.53% of the vote, defeating Dyotha R. Sweat and Vontasha Romechia Simms. Stewart, who has represented District 3 on the Board of County Commissioners since 2014, will face Republican Joe Crawford in November as she seeks to succeed outgoing Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II.
District 1
Incumbent Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling won the Democratic primary with 50.53% of the vote and will face Republican Walton “Walt” Merchant in November.
Bowling narrowly defeated challenger Dezmond A. Rosier in one of the closest races of the local primary election. Bowling received 1,469 votes to Rosier’s 1,438 — a margin of just 31 votes. The razor-thin victory secured Bowling a spot on the November ballot as he seeks another term representing District 1 on the Board of County Commissioners.
District 2
Indian Head Mayor Brandon A. Paulin emerged from a crowded six-candidate Democratic field with 22.37% of the vote to secure the nomination. Paulin will face Republican Alorah D. Vantassell in November.
District 3
McKayla Wilkes defeated incumbent Commissioner James F. Wade Sr. with 65.06% of the vote and will face Republican Julian D. Clark.
District 4
Commissioner Ralph E. Patterson II ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and faces no Republican challenger in November.
Sheriff
Sheriff Troy Berry received 14,184 votes while running unopposed in the Democratic primary and faces no Republican opposition in November.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Lisa E. Yates defeated Tonya Henderson with 70.01% of the vote and advances to the general election.
Register of Wills
Loraine Davies Hennessy emerged from a four-candidate Democratic field with 49.69% of the vote and will face Republican Latisha Shorter.
State’s Attorney
Anthony “Tony” Covington was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faces no Republican challenger in November.
What Happens Next
Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 22, with mail-in voting also available. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The BayNet created a dedicated SOMD Elections page to help connect voters with the information they need before heading to the polls. The page brings together candidate interviews, election coverage, voter guides and issue-focused reporting in one place, making it easier for Southern Maryland residents to stay informed throughout the election cycle.
Check your registration status:
voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch
Register to vote online:
voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration
Find your polling location and election dates:
elections.maryland.gov
Early voting is happening until Thursday, June 18 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. can cast a ballot.
For more 2024 Maryland election results and voter data, visit elections.maryland.gov.
See Complete Maryland Election Results
For detailed primary election results from all Maryland counties, including complete vote totals and candidate information, visit the Maryland State Board of Elections Official Results.
Prepare to Vote: Key Dates and Information for November
Early Voting Begins: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2026
Mail-in Ballot Deadline: Requests must be submitted by Oct. 27; ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Your vote matters. Make your voice heard on Nov. 5 — or vote early starting Oct. 24.
| Race | Democratic Nominee | Republican Nominee |
|---|---|---|
| Governor | Wes Moore & Aruna Miller | Dan Cox & Rob Krop |
| Comptroller | Brooke Lierman | Sonya Dunn |
| Attorney General | Anthony Brown | James Rutledge III |
| U.S. House District 5 | Adrian Boafo | Michelle Talkington |
| State Senate District 27 | Kevin Harris | Al Larsen |
| State Senate District 28 | C.T. Wilson | Unopposed |
| House of Delegates District 27A | Yonelle Moore Lee | Jim Crawford |
| House of Delegates District 28 | Debra Davis, Abena Affum-McAllister, Edith J. Patterson | James Emerson Ashburn, Winfield W. Clark Jr. |
| County Commissioner President | Amanda Stewart | Joe Crawford |
| County Commissioner District 1 | Gilbert “BJ” Bowling | Walton “Walt” Merchant |
| County Commissioner District 2 | Brandon A. Paulin | Alorah D. Vantassell |
| County Commissioner District 3 | McKayla Wilkes | Julian D. Clark |
| County Commissioner District 4 | Ralph E. Patterson II | Unopposed |
| Sheriff | Troy Berry | Unopposed |
| Clerk of Circuit Court | Lisa E. Yates | Unopposed |
| Register of Wills | Loraine Davies Hennessy | Latisha Shorter |
| State’s Attorney | Anthony “Tony” Covington | Unopposed |
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The Board of Elections website has not recorded the mail-in-ballots as of 7:00PM on 6/25/26 so how are you proclaiming Gilbert “BJ” Bowling as the democratic primary nominee when all votes haven’t been counted and that race is too close to call? This article has misinformation since all the mail-in-ballots have not been counted.