Maryland election results: Democrats sweep statewide offices, Neil Parrott leads David Trone in District 6 race

Maryland election results found Democrats making a clean sweep of statewide offices on the 2022 ballot. Wes Moore will be the first African-American governor of the state, as he and running mate Aruna Miller currently lead the Republican ticket of Dan Cox and Gordana Schifanelli 59.62% to 36.98%. With a stronger resume than Barack Obama had when he rose to national prominence, Moore is likely to figure into Democratic presidential discussions sooner rather than later.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) was quick to congratulate Moore on his victory, but has not yet said whether he voted for the Democrat. Hogan was out of the state pursuing his presidential ambitions in the final days before the July 2022 GOP primary, rather than stumping for his handpicked successor, Kelly Schulz. When Schulz lost to Cox, Hogan enraged many Republicans by declaring he would not support Cox in the November election. With the popular governor witholding his coattails, limited funds and Moore agreeing to only one televised debate, Cox faced an uphill battle to expand his base.

Cox's Trump endorsement didn't pay dividends in the general election, either, in a state where Trump is beloved by Republicans, but not so much by independents. His loss is likely to strengthen the hand of the Republican establishment in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Pat Sajak and Cal Ripken, Jr. remain dream candidates for the GOP. Closer to earth, Maryland State Senator Michael Hough - currently leading in the race for Frederick County Executive - is highly regarded by members of both parties in Annapolis, and has been mentioned as a likely statewide candidate in the future. Other names are sure to emerge from the party's county-level officials and activists around the state in the coming months.

It's also worth noting that no gubernatorial ticket since 1998 has won without an African-American on it. Republican Bob Ehrlich won with Michael Steele as his running mate in 2002, but later lost twice with white women running to be his lieutenant. Hogan won twice with Boyd Rutherford on his ticket. Note to future Republican candidates: black voters account for 32% of the Maryland electorate.

The Maryland comptroller race wasn't as close as some thought it would be. Democrat Brooke Lierman easily defeated Harford County Executive Barry Glassman to replace outgoing taxman Peter Franchot. Lierman, a state delegate, said she received a "gracious" concession call from Glassman shortly before midnight Tuesday.

Democrat Anthony Brown, who was upset in the governor's race by Hogan eight years ago, had a much better election night in 2022. The congressman defeated Republican Michael Peroutka by what current results show is a 20-point margin. Peroutka did beat Brown in 18 of the state's counties, however.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D) handily beat Republican challenger Chris Chaffee. The Democrat recently suffered a stroke, but appeared to have fully recovered well before Election Day. Many Republicans had hoped Hogan would run for the Senate, but the governor is focused on a 2024 presidential run.

The election results were not all bad news for Republicans.

Republicans may pick up an additional seat in Congress from Maryland. GOP nominee Neil Parrott is ahead of Democratic incumbent David Trone as of this hour by 51.07% to 48.81%. The 6th congressional district became more favorable to Republicans in the most recent redistricting, but is not as GOP-friendly as it was when Roscoe Bartlett was the last Republican to hold it. If Parrott holds on to win, he would join Dr. Andy Harris (R - 1st District) in the Maryland delegation.

Nicolee Ambrose nearly pulled off a GOP victory in the District 2 congressional race. She currently trails Democratic incumbent C. Dutch Ruppersberger 46.40% to 53.47%. Republicans had hopes of defeating Democrat John Sarbanes in District 3, which was nationally recognized as one of the most egregiously-gerrymandered districts in America. Sarbanes appears to have decisively won reelection, leading GOP challenger Yuripzy Morgan 54.98% to 44.92%. Morgan ran an energetic campaign, but the district remains gerrymandered despite its more-reasonable appearance on the redrawn congressional map.

On key statewide ballot questions, Marylanders voted to rename the Maryland Court of Special Appeals as the Maryland Supreme Court, and to legalize marijuana for recreational use by adults.

Assault at grocery store in Olney

Montgomery County police were called to a grocery store in Olney on Saturday afternoon, when an individual reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a supermarket in the 18100 block of Village Center Drive at 1:38 PM Saturday.

Armed robbery in Kensington

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Kensington on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The robbery was reported in the 2800 block of Plyers Mill Road at 7:00 PM. That is near Oakland Terrace Elementary School and Capitol View-Homewood Park.

The Pit mountain bike area opening this weekend at Fairland Bike Park

Montgomery Parks will officially open a progressive mountain bike skills park within the Fairland Bike Park tomorrow, Saturday, November 5, 2022. The 6.5 acre addition, called The Pit, features rollers, kicker ramps, wall rides, drops, and skinnies. Best of all, you don't even need your own mountain bike - you can borrow one from the park's bikeshare station. Fairland Bike Park is located at the intersection of Greencastle Ridge Terrace and Greencastle Road.

Photos courtesy Montgomery Parks

Home burglarized in Takoma Park

Takoma Park police responded to a report of a residential burglary on Tuesday afternoon, November 1, 2022. The burglary was reported at a home in the unit block of Seek Court at 1:32 PM. That's a townhome community near University Boulevard. Officers responding to the scene found signs of forced entry at the home.

Five Below to expand in Aspen Hill

Five Below will get bigger by next year at 13661 Connecticut Avenue at the Aspen Hill Shopping Center. The discount store plans to expand into a vacant adjacent storefront in the coming months. This is not surprising, as Five Below has benefited from its market position as inflation squeezes businesses and consumers alike - so far.

Unlike dollar stores, Five Below is already operating at a modestly higher price point. That has meant it hasn't had to take as big of a loss on its profit margins, or irk customers by suddenly trying to charge above the price limit in its name, like its dollar store competitors. In fact, Five Below has announced an ambitious growth plan that will triple its store count by the end of this decade. 

But there are signs that persistent inflation may be finally catching up to the company. Five Below has announced plans to launch a separate store concept called Five Beyond, with items above $5. It says that a majority of its existing Five Below stores will eventually become Five Beyond stores. At higher price points, it will have to start competing more directly with Walmart and Target.

Some observers are skeptical about Five Below's plans. Consumer spending is trending downward in recent months, and the chain's earnings didn't match expectations in the last quarter. 

Strong-arm robbery at Wheaton Metro station

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at the Wheaton Metro station this past Saturday night. The robbery was reported at the station at 10:26 PM.