Of all the local (county) races in Wicomico County, most eyes were turned to the Democrat primary for State’s Attorney. After the machines were dumped, and the count tallied, it appears that incumbent Davis Ruark was defeated by Salisbury attorney Seth Mitchell. The vote was 2837 for Mitchell – 2594 for Ruark.
The margin is 243 votes.
Can absentee ballots change the result? It’s doubtful. There were 781 absentee ballots issued. As of Tuesday, 507 absentee ballots have been returned to the Wicomico Board of Elections. The Board of Elections does not track how many Democrat vs. Republican primary ballots were issued.
Assume that the split is roughly that of the early and regular voting. If all absentees are returned there are probably 363 Democrat absentee ballots (that’s a BIG “IF”). Ruark would then need to grab a 244 vote margin.
Absentees tend to break down the same as the regular polling results (give or take a few points) unless a concerted absentee campaign was orchestrated by one of the candidates (not the case here).
Sadly for many of us, it appears that Wicomico County will have a new State’s Attorney. Fortunately for those of us who call the GOP home, the odds on favorite is Matt Maciarello.
31 comments:
Wait til they are counted, this horse may not be dead yet. Something feels funny.
Good luck in the FUTURE Mr.Ruark. Thanks for serving our community.
Change is needed. I hope its experience, but as a Wicomico County lifetime resident I welcome the change regardless of who it is! It is about time we got a handle on real crime.
Why should the office of states attorney, an impartial office whose only concern should be prosecuting criminals to the fullest extent of the law, have an election based on GOP vs Democrats?
Politics and bipartisanship should have absolutely nothing to do with the office of the states attorney.
Rob S
Rob S, while I fully agree with you, unfortunately that's how it goes, both in the States Attorneys race and the Sheriff's race.
How does this affect the prosecution of Thomas Leggs?
Jason C.
What about the County Exec. -- Ollinger got more votes than Pollitt in the primary!
I really don't think political party had anything to do with this election. I really think the citizens of the county were really disappointed in Mr. Ruark and felt changed was needed.
Good, looks like Matt got almost as many votes as Davis and Seth combined. Looks like the Republicans came out in force and are going to make a choice for a change.
Cant We Just Agree That
Unless We Do More Than Elect A
New States Attorney
Things Will Never Change...
ive never heard of a democratic prosecutor anyway! lol
You know that is a result I didn't expect. I have known Davis for years and I think the world of him as a person. I also know Seth Mitchell and I can't say the same for him. The thing that strikes me is that almost no one knows Seth. I get the strange feeling that the voters weren't saying they wanted Seth Mitchell as much as they were saying that they didn't want Davis Ruark. People have long memories.
haha an Acrostic comment, clever...
Davis Ruark has his flaws just like the rest of us. Keep in mind that he did an excellent job for the first 21 years that he was in office. His DUI is an unfortunate misrepresentation of the man Davis truly is. Here's to wishing Davis the best in all of his future endeavors. His expertise in the courtroom will be missed.
1:42 Matt went unopposed in the primary. How could he get as many votes as the Dems? Just doesn't make sense.
The republicans are sending a clear message and you can count on ALL of Davis' votes to be cast for Matt as well. I know what I'm talking about.
A bunch of us Dems voted Seth in the Primary to knock out Davis, but will be voting Matt in the General.
I heard about Barrie fundraising for Seth. What's that about?
Agree with 2:41 completely. If you ask anyone in the legal field. Seth would not be your choice over Davis. This is a public vote wanting a change.
Matt you have my vote. Seth is not what we need in this office at all. He does not have the professionalism. Matt reminds me of Sam Vincent in his character and thought of responsibility.
Mr. Ruark Thank you for serving the community as our States Attorney. You are a good man who made a mistake and are now paying a powerful price. I wish you well in your future endevours. I can only hope that the good citizens of Wicomico County will see that Matt M. is now the only logical choice to fill your shoes.
Whoever wins, I just hope they are up to speed when it comes to the Leggs trial - this is super important.
Seth Mitchell cannot run the State's Attorney's office. He can only run his mouth. Good luck in November, Matt!
I'm with you 4:15. That is just what I did and plan to do!
4:15 and 6:06 - me too---and it worked!!!! YIPPEE!!!
I'm glad you are all so pleased. You know - none of you are half the man that Davis Ruark is. Neither are Matt and Seth. If you had any clue of the countless hours that Davis spent over the years working, many times away from his family and friends, then you have some room to talk. Until then you're nothing but a pack of jackels. To Davis - You will always have my utmost respect and admiration. This whole election thing was nothing but a political witch hunt. May God grant you a rewarding and prosperous future. Matt and Seth will regret the day they face you in the courtroom, and the "good" people of Wicomico County will suffer.
9:34 - Well, thanks to Davis for all of the work he did, but I, too, have spent countless hours away from my family, working, and I'll bet many other readers here can say the same thing.
Elected office was not intended to be for life, and I rarely feel sorry for an incumbent losing and having to go back to world the rest of us live in.
To everyone worrying about the Leggs trial, stop worrying.
It will likely be handled by an assistant state's attorney who's been in on it from the beginning, and from what we've heard about the job Mike Lewis did in evidence gathering, a blind poodle could win it.
Just an FYI, I know for a fact that Matt is not one to gloat. Each day that goes by I become more and more impressed by the way he carries himself and his professionalism. He ran a positive campaign unlike Seth and I thought he was respectful to Davis. The voters however have their own voice and opinion, I guess they are venting. All I can say is, if Davis looses, thank goodness Matt is in this race. I do believe that between Matt and Seth, Matt can help that office move forward.
4:15 my whole family did the same thing. We voted for Seth to keep Davis out of it because we hope and pray Matt will be our next States Attorney. We are democrats but not for long....after the election we change our party cause I am SICK of the Democrats.
This if a quote from Davis's FB post of last night. He is a many of dignity and class, unlike many posters here. He will do what is best, right and just.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again..., because there... is no effort without error and shortcoming"
-Theodore Roosevelt
Maybe all of you should focus on this one for a while . . .
Great quote!
Matt may not be gloating, but Bartkovich, Caldwell and others very close to Matt sure are gloating this morning. No ASA has ever been involved in a case of this nature. The best thing Matt could do is ask Davis to stay to try the Sarah Foxwell case. No one can do it better or handle the pressure better. It would be a tribute to Matt's character to make that request sooner rather than later.
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