Votes are still being counted but most races in Maryland have already been called and I've got a full rundown of results for you.
It's going to be gorgeous out today, sunny with temperatures in the upper 50s. So, this is your reminder to get outside and absorb some of that healing sunshine after the stress of Election Day yesterday.
- As you likely already heard, Democrat Wes Moore will be the next governor of Maryland having won close to 60% of the vote as of early this morning. AP called the race almost as soon as the polls closed. Moore sets a historic first for our state as its first Black governor, and only the third in history across the U.S. Gov. Larry Hogan congratulated Moore and said his team is committed to ensuring "a smooth and orderly transition to the next administration." In his acceptance speech, Moore focused on his belief in patriotism, which he defined as "bringing people together." WBAL In Annapolis, republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox stopped short of conceding to Moore, telling press late last night that it's "not looking good" and that it was "a very difficult race." Cox has called for all outstanding votes to be counted. CBS Baltimore
- Maryland also secured two more historic firsts yesterday: Democrat Brooke Lierman will become the state's first woman comptroller, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown will be the first Black Maryland attorney general. As of this morning, Lierman held 58% of the vote against Republican opponent Barry Glassman and Brown had 61% of votes against Republican candidate Michael Peroutka.
- Marylander voters also voted to approve all five constitutional amendments included on the ballot. Perhaps the most notable is the decision to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis. This measure passed with 65.5% of the vote. So what's next? The change won't go into effect until July 2023, but the General Assembly will soon begin building out the framework for the new market, which is expected to include equity measures, including expungement for individuals with marijuana possession charges. The change is also expected to shake up Maryland's existing medical market — more on that here. Other changes to come as part of the constitutional amendments: renaming the Court of Special Appeals to the Appellate Court of Maryland (73% voted for), requiring state lawmakers to have a primary home in the district they want to represent (89% voted for), raising the minimum amount of damages required for plaintiffs seeking a jury trial in a civil lawsuit (61% voted for) and abolishing the Howard County Orphans' Court (65% voted for).
- Nationally, control of both the U.S. House and Senate hangs in the air. It's too early to call, but as expected, Republicans are continuing the historic trend of midterm elections shifting control away from a first-term president's party. Several key battleground states still have races to call, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin. As of this morning, in the House Democrats hold 172 seats and Republicans hold 199, with 218 needed for a majority. In the Senate, Democrats hold 46 seats to Republicans' 47 with 51 needed for a majority. It could be quite some time until those results are finalized. NPR
- Voters in Baltimore City also weighed in on 11 questions yesterday, some seeking approval to borrow money for development, infrastructure and job growth, along with several key charter amendments. All questions were approved by voters, following a common trend. Changes include turning control of the city's police department back over to the city instead of the state, which has held that power since 1860, and restructuring the board that oversees Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming to include fewer elected officials. The other big amendment that was approved was Question K, which will establish term limits for Baltimore's major, comptroller and the City Council. This is a huge change for the city and one that was promoted heavily by David Smith, chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, who contributed $525,000 to the effort. Baltimore Sun
- Another big change ahead for the city is that Ivan Bates will become the next Baltimore state's attorney. Bates, who beat out two-term incumbent Marilyn Mosby in the Democratic primary election earlier this year, won 100% of the vote.
- Greater Baltimore's counties also held elections for county executives. In Anne Arundel County, the vote has been close and the race has yet to be called because the county has not counted mail-in ballots. So far, Republican Jessica Haire is leading over incumbent Democrat Steuart Pittman with 53% of the vote. In Howard County, incumbent Democrat Calvin Ball was named the winner over Allan Kittleman with 56% of the vote. In Baltimore County, incumbent Democrat Johnny Olszewski won with 58% of the vote over challenger Pat McDonough. And in Harford County, Republican state Sen. Bob Cassily declared victory over challenges Blane Miller III with 68% of the vote.
- Here are a few other races to share:
Baltimore County State's Attorney: AP declared that incumbent Democrat Scott Shellenberger won over Republican Jim Haynes with 59% of the vote. This will be Shellenberger's fifth term in office and Haynes was his first challenger in the general election in 12 years.
U.S. House of Representatives 6th District: It's a tight race between incumbent Democrat David Trone and Republican challenger Neil Parrott. As of 1 a.m. with some mail-in ballots still to count, Parrott was leading with 51% of the vote with a margin of about 4,500 votes. The race is a rematch of the 2020 race, but under slightly different conditions after congressional redistricting shifted the district's border. It includes Montgomery, Frederick, Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties. WTOP
U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Chris Van Hollen was named the winner with 60% of the vote.
