Dems Gain in County Councils

Maryland has far fewer local jurisdictions than most states. All counties have either a county council or a county commission, though the autonomy and powers obtained vary across the state according to the type of local government. Six counties elect a county executive, effectively the mayor of the county. Baltimore City elects a mayor in addition to its fifteen-member city council. All of the counties, but not Baltimore City, held local elections this year. All seats on the county councils and commissions were up for grabs except in Cecil County, which elected three of its five-member commissioners this year.

Before the election, Democrats held 78, or 57%, of the 138 seats available on the various county councils and county commissions as well as the Baltimore City Council. Democrats gained a net of ten seats in the election, so the share of seats held by Democrats rose to 88, or 64%. Of course, gains and losses by Democrats varied around the state. While Democrats gained control of four new local councils (Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and St. Mary's), they lost control of two others (Allegheny and Wicomico).

Here is a summary of results from around the state:

In Allegheny, Democrats lost one seat and control of the three-member commission shifted from 2-1 Democratic to 2-1 Republican.

The balance of power remained unchanged in Anne Arundel with Republican maintaining their one seat edge on the seven-member council. However, Republican Del. Leopold gave the GOP one of their best results this year by taking the county executive's office away from the Democrats. Incumbent County Executive Janet Owens could not run for reelection due to term limits and lost the Democratic primary for comptroller.

Baltimore City held no election for the city council though city politics will undoubtedly heat up as the mayor becomes governor.

No partisan change in Baltimore County as Democrats retained both the county executive's office and their commanding 6-1 majority on the county council.

Democrats picked up one seat in Calvert County but Republicans still have a one seat majority on the five-member commission.

Democrats lost their one remaining seat in Caroline County leaving Republicans in control of all three seats on the county commission.

In Carroll County, Republicans kept control of all three seats on the county commission.

Cecil County elected only three of its five commissioners this year. The elections left the partisan balance unchanged with Democrats holding a 4-1 majority of the Republicans.

Charles County Democrats showed their rising power by sweeping all five seats on the county commission. Republicans held two seats before the election. African Americans also gained a second seat on the five-member body--quite a change for a commission which had no black members just a few years ago.

Democrats took control of the commission in Dorchester County by picking up one seat from the Republicans. Democrats now have the same 3-2 majority held by Republicans prior to the election.

Republicans held on to their 3-2 majority on the Frederick County Commission.

The GOP once again won all three seats in Garrett County, long a Republican bastion in state elections.

Harford County has a reputation as a rising Republican bastion. However, Democrats put up quite a fight this year and even gained one new seat on the county council, though Republican still held a 4-2 majority. Republicans held the county executive office but Democrat Ann Helton put up a heck of a fight and won 48% of the vote.

Democrats held the open county executive's office and their 4-1 majority on the Howard County Council.

Democrats picked up one seat in Kent County but that was enough to shift control of the three-member commission from the Republicans to the Democrats.

In Montgomery, Democrats bumped off the last Republican on the Council leaving the County's dominant party with control of all nine seats. Needless to say, Democrat Ike Leggett held the county executive's office.

As usual, Prince George's Democrats won all nine seats on the County Council and incumbent Democrat Jack Johnson retained control of the county executive's office.

Democrats made their most stunning local gains in Queen Anne's where control of the commission shifted from 4-1 Republican to 4-1 Democratic.

Democrats also gained control in St. Mary's where the balance of power tilted from 3-2 Republican to 3-2 Democratic as the Democrats picked up a seat.

Democrats solidifed their control in Somerset where they gained one seat and a 4-1 majority on the county commission.

In Talbot, Democrats lost a seat but held on to a 3-2 majority on the county council.

Democrats gained their first seat on the commission in Washington County, leaving the Republicans with a 4-1 majority.

The torch was passed to the Republicans in Wicomico County as a one seat gain gave the Republicans a 4-3 majority on the county council.

Finally, in Worcester County, Republicans lost one seat but retained a 4-3 majority on the county commission.