Harford County's newest judge beat back three challengers to win election to the bench in one of three contested local races in the state's primary election.
Angela M. Eaves, 48, the first woman and first African-American to serve on the Harford County Circuit Court, garnered 24,117 votes, 67 percent of Democratic ballots and 43 percent of Republican, with all 72 precincts reporting.
The Havre de Grace resident, appointed to the bench by Gov. Martin O'Malley in December, will run unopposed in the November general election for the 15-year term.
"I am truly grateful that the voters had such confidence in me," Eaves said yesterday. "They have definitely decided. I promise to do a good job for the next 15 years."
In winning the Democratic and Republican primaries, despite strong opposition from Harford's Republican Central Committee, Eaves scored a significant victory, said James E. Massey, director of Harford's Board of Elections. "Winning both parties, that shows bipartisan support," he said.
Among Eaves' challengers were Charles F. Wagner, 54, a Bel Air attorney who had the support of the county Republican Party; Bel Air lawyer H. Edward Andrews III, 60, and Aberdeen lawyer Steven J. Scheinin, 61.
The judicial race and the presidential and congressional contests played a role in the 41 percent voter turnout Tuesday in Harford, which was twice what election officials had predicted, Massey said.
"The presidential race was close for the Democrats and the 1st District congressional race gave both sides something interesting to vote for," Massey said.
In the nonpartisan Carroll County school board primary, two members of the board were among the four top vote-getters, who will move on to the general election, where two candidates will be elected to four-year terms.
With 45 of 46 precincts counted, challenger Jennifer Seidel, 36, of Mount Airy, an independent contractor who writes lesson plans and other teaching materials, led with 12,135 votes. Incumbent Cynthia L. Foley, 51, of Westminster was running second with 10,806 votes. Jeffrey L. Morse, 53, of Taneytown, who was appointed to the board last summer, was third with 6,278 and Barry D. Potts, 56, of Manchester was fourth with 6,248.
Results from the precinct that hasn't been reported are expected today, election officials said.
In the nonpartisan school board race in Howard County, six of the seven candidates moved on to the general election, where voters will elect three to four-year terms.
