By Steve Crane | Editor-in-chief
““I’m still holding out hope, but I’m also a realist and understand the significance of the message that was sent across the country as far as the repudiation of [Republican President Donald] Trump and his policies. If the results don’t turn out favorable, it has been nothing but an honor to represent my district, my constituents in Frederick County.” - Sen. Bill Folden (R-Frederick), on the post-election counting of mail-oin ballots that may cost him his seat, as Democrats continued to make gains.
The election is over but the counting, and the fallout, continue. Welcome to your post-election, almost decompression weekend.
Counting of mail-in and provisional ballots is continuing and appears to have let Democrats continue their winning streak in the state, with returns from Frederick County showing Sen. Bill Folden and Del. April Miller, both Republicans, have been unseated. William J. Ford has that story.
Gov. Wes Moore announced the departure of three Cabinet secretaries, a day after his chief of staff left, and more staff changes are expected as the governor prepares for his second term, as Bryan P. Sears reports. And Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st) again survives a blue wave, but that doesn’t mean he won’t face challenges in his next term, as Capital New Service’s Cat Murphy reports.
Speaking of counting, we’re counting our supporters, the readers who help us keep the lights on, and feeling pretty good. Readers like Cynthia W. of Baltimore, Erika S. of Ellicott City, Alexander C. of Silver Spring, Marjorie W. of Crownsville, Victoria F. from Mitchellville. Timothy R. of Knoxville (Md.), Kenneth M. of McHenry, Darryl D. from Olney, Walter M. of Silver Spring and Stephen W., who didn’t give his hometown. Thank you!
You can show your support by going to our donate page. Our you can just kick back and catch your breath — it’s what we plan to do — and read up on those stories, other headines, commentary and a roundup of news from a very busy week. Enjoy!
The first day of canvassing takes place Thursday at Prince George’s County Board of Elections. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)
By William J. Ford
The blue wave had maybe slowed to a trickle by Friday, but the tide was still moving toward Democrats, who appeared to have ousted a GOP senator and picked up two more seats in the House of Delegates as mail-in ballots were counted in Frederick County.
In the latest returns, posted Friday night, Democratic challenger Lara Westdorp had overtaken Sen. Bill Folden (R-Frederick), with 28,803 votes for Westdorp to Folden's 27,906 in the race for the District 4 Senate seat. Democrats also appear to have taken two Republican delegates' seats in District 4, capturing the seat left open by longtime Del. Barrie Ciliberti, who did not run for reelection, and unseating Del. April Miller. If the current results hold, Del. Jesse Pippy, the House Minority Leader, could be the only Republican left in what had been an all-GOP district.
The new results add to Democratic election night wins, when challengers unseated Del. Stuart Schmidt (R-Anne Arundel) and Del. Barry Beauchamp (R-Wicomico). There were still 269,342 mail-in ballots left to count statewide as of Thursday night, with counting expected to continue through much of next week.
Susan Lee, served more than two decades in the legislature before her appointment as Secretary of State in 2023. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters)
By Bryan P. Sears
More changes are coming to Gov. Wes Moore's Cabinet as the administration prepares to enter a second term in January.
Moore, a Democrat, announced the departures Friday, a day after announcing a new chief of staff and three days after winning election to a second term. Such staff changes are not unusual for two-term governors. The list of changes announced Friday include Secretary of State Susan Lee, as well as Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn Scruggs and Veterans and Military Affairs Secretary Ed Rothstein. In all three cases, interim leaders took over immediately.
Scruggs had the most troubled tenure of the three and was often at odds with union officials, who said her departure was “long overdue.” More personnel announcements are expected in the coming days as Moore gets ready for his second term.
U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st) at an event in Aberdeen on Oct. 1, 2026. He cruised to a ninth term Tuesday, but will face new challenges in his next term. (Photo by Cat Murphy/Capital News Service)
By Cat Murphy
For the second time in eight years, Republicans found themselves staring down a blue wave. And for the second time in eight years, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st) proved he could swim.
An eight-term incumbent and hardline conservative, Harris had been overwhelmingly favored to beat Democratic challenger and political newcomer Dan Schwartz — it was more a question of by how much. As Democrats across the country made historic gains in traditionally deep red areas, Harris’ race didn’t prove to be particularly close. While Harris’ overall margin of victory will likely be smaller than it was in 2024, he still appears poised to win by several points.
Harris has other issues, though. Despite winning reelection this cycle, he faces the prospect of partisan redistricting in 2028 under Question 3, a constitutional amendment that gives state lawmakers more latitude over how congressional maps are drawn. And the House Freedom Caucus that has been his brand for years is hobbled after this election.
IN OTHER NEWS
Democrats roll in other statehouses: Election Day resulted in large shifts in legislative majorities around the country, flipping from a majority of Republican legislatures to majority Democratic. Democrats now hold 22 "trifectas," to 17 for the GOP.
Federal workplace survey axed: The Office of Personnel Management is finalizing plans to abandon the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey after 20 years, telling agencies to issue their own versions of the workforce survey by the end of the calendar year.
New views of the Sphere: Developers presented new images that show the Sphere entertainment venue in context with the surroundings at National Harbor as they sought, and won, preliminary design approval from the Prince George's County Planning Board.
TODAY'S COMMENTARY
The choice Montgomery County faces, between shipping its trash to a landfill or burning it, is not an easy one, writes Jerry Kickenson, but shuttering the incinerator in favor of hauling trash at least provides incentives for a better future in the long run.
MATTERS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Landowners take power line appeal to high court: A group of Maryland landowners aggrieved by land surveys for a proposed 67-mile electricity transmission line across northern Maryland are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their case.
Moore’s new chief of staff: Fresh off his reelection victory Tuesday, Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday announced the departure of chief of staff Lester Davis and named Emmanuel "Manny" Welsh to replace him, a likely start to staff shuffling ahead of a second term.
A bridge, not too far: Maryland received final environmental approval from the federal government this week for a new Bay Bridge, settling on two new four-lane bridges with full shoulders that would follow the path of current bridge as the preferred route.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
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