Will Be a Week Before Republican St. Mary's Commissioner President Nominee is Known

St. Mary’s Commissioner Dan Raley, left, congratulates Jack Russell
The Bay Net photos by Anna Bedford

St. George’s Island waterman Jackie Russell won a decisive victory over the two other Democrats vying for their party’s nomination in the race for St. Mary’s County Commissioner president.

But, on the Republican side, Joseph Bush Sr. only maintains a 75 vote lead on fellow contender Dennis Hubscher, and as many as 390 absentee and provision ballots are left to count, election officials told The Bay Net on Friday.

At the most recent count, Bush had 1,997 votes to Hubscher’s 1,922.

Most absentee ballots were counted by Thursday, but overseas and military absentee ballots are still being received, and election officials are working today to validate the 313 provisional ballots cast.

Provisional ballots are used when voters arrive at the wrong precinct or do not appear on election lists for varied reasons. The ballots need to be verified as legitimate before being tallied.

Jack Russell and a crowd of other Democrats were at the Old Breton Inn on Tuesday night as election results were broadcast. The margin of Russell’s victory took many by surprise.

As of Thursday, Russell gained 4,610 votes; Mike Hewitt took 2,463 and Merl Evans received 1,078 votes.

Russell said the outcome shows that residents of the county received his message and put their faith in him.

“I visited a lot of people in St. Mary’s County and I feel that my message was received well, and that message was put community first,” Russell told The Bay Net. “I tried not to take anything for granted. I went out in the neighborhoods and they were very receptive.”

Russell said at 63 years old, he felt the duty to serve his community.

“I’ve got two daughters and I’d like to help make St. Mary’s County a nice place for them to come back to and raise their family,” Russell said. “I filed for office out of a sense of duty for my county and my family.”

“I’m a lifelong resident here. I’d like to have a vote in the system and have a say in the direction our county goes,” he continued.

Russell said the grassroots effort by volunteers in his campaign is a main reason why he was so well received.

“I’d like to thank the people of the county for their generosity … and for putting their trust in me this primary,” he said. “People that know me know that I have a good work ethic, and I’m going to work as hard for St. Mary’s County as I have in the primary and getting prepared for the general.”