Primary election day, sometimes referred to as the “real” election in local Carroll County politics, is here. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
During the lead-up to early voting, the Carroll County Times endorsed several candidates for local office based on our own reporting, responses to candidate questionnaires, attendance at various candidate forums and debates, reporting by our sister publications, and information the candidates themselves have shared on their websites and social media.
For readers who may have missed those endorsements, here they are again for local, contested races. For full endorsements as well as other coverage of the election, visit www.carrollcountytimes.com/elections.
County Commissioners: In the contested primaries, the Times has endorsed: Stephen Wantz, R-District 1; Dennis Frazier, R-District 3; Maria Warburton, D-District 3; Christopher “Eric” Bouchat, R-District 4; Ed Rothstein, R-District 5.
Wantz is ingrained and engaged in the community and has shown a willingness to compromise with other commissioners to find the best possible solution moving forward. Frazier’s experience on the board and his understanding of the opioid epidemic gave him the slight edge over his opponent in earning the Times’ endorsement. Warburton received the Times’ endorsement in the Democratic primary due to her combination of experience working for state and municipal offices, volunteer work and her firm grasp on the issues facing the Board of Commissioners. Bouchat is a principled conservative, a business owner and has shown a willingness to question the status quo. He has also made addressing the opioid epidemic a cornerstone of his campaign. Rothstein is a proven leader through his military experience and having served as the commander of Fort Meade. He’s also demonstrated an ability to forge strong relationships with businesses and organizations.
House of Delegates and State Senate: The Hogan-backed slate of incumbents Dels. Susan Krebs, April Rose and Haven Shoemaker in District 5 has received the Times’ endorsement. The three have worked well with the governor over the past four years, having been able to secure additional funds for education and also bring some attention to infrastructure projects here.
While District 5 covers the bulk of Carroll, some residents live in small portions of District 4 and District 9, which also include Frederick and Howard counties, respectively. In the Democratic primary for District 4 senator, the Times has endorsed Jessica Douglass. In the District 9 Republican race, we endorsed incumbent Sen. Gail Bates, and Steven Bolen and Natalie Ziegler in the Democratic primary for House of Delegates representing District 9A.
Board of Education: While voters may only choose three, the top six vote-getters will advance from the nonpartisan school board primary to the general election in November. Here, the Times has endorsed the following candidates, in alphabetical order: Patricia Ann Dorsey, Muri Dueppen, Jason Helton, Doug Howard, Kenneth Kiler and Bob Lord. These candidates have distinguished themselves from the rest of the 11-member pack and are worthy of your vote in the primary.
Judge of the Circuit Court: The Times has endorsed Richard Titus to be retained as Judge of the Circuit Court of Carroll County, based on the work he has done on the bench since he was appointed by Hogan in 2016. Prior to that appointment, he was vetted along with eight other nominees by the Maryland Trial Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
Clerk of the Circuit Court: Missi Green’s 39 years of experience working as a court clerk in Maryland, including 29 in Carroll, where she has been senior supervisor of court operations since 2008, earned her the Times’ endorsement.
Register of Wills: Paul Zimmermann has served the county well in his previous four terms, and based on his combination of experience and his background as an attorney, the Times has endorsed him to continue that work.
We hope that voters have spent some time educating themselves on the positions of the various candidates at all levels, and have come to their own conclusions about who they believe is the best individual for the job before casting their ballot.
