ALL-HOPKINS IN NOVEMBER: Unrelated Derek and Tom to Battle for Register of Wills

Derek Hopkins and Tom Hopkins—no relation—won the Republican and Democratic races, respectively, in Tuesday's Register of Wills primary.

Tom Hopkins emerged with 8,928 votes—71.21 percent—to Gamatoria's 3,610.

On the Republican side, Derek Hopkins was the clear winner in a crowded race that featured five candidates. With 6,795 votes—33.96 percent—he bested Merrie Street, who earned 19.91 percent, by nearly 3,000 votes. Michael Birch (19.02 percent) Town Commissioner Robert Preston (18.97 percent) and Bill Schilling (8.14 percent) rounded out the group.

Preston was disappointed with the results, but glad to see Derek Hopkins move on.

"It certainly doesn't look like what I expected, but Derek certainly did an excellent job of putting a team together and he certainly got the name recognition and endorsement, so he's done a good job," Preston said just before midnight Tuesday.

Preston, however, is still optimistic about the remainder of his time as a Commissioner.

"I have another two years in my [term] as Town Commissioner, so I will definitely enjoy my position with the town. I've always been a proponent of Bel Air and I enjoy my job and town, and I certainly have every confidence in finishing my term," Preston said.

In February, Derek Hopkins was endorsed by Harry Hopkins, who is stepping down from the Register of Wills position after more than two decades. Harry Hopkins is not related to Derek Hopkins or Tom Hopkins.

The victorious Republican candidate was grateful not only to Harry Hopkins, but also everyone who voted for him.

"I definitely want to thank all my supporters, [and] I want to thank the other Republican candidates. It was a clean hard-fought race," Derek Hopkins said. "Hopefully I can unite my supporters with [my Republican competitors' supporters]."

Republican Derek Hopkins will face Democrat Tom Hopkins in the November race.

When asked how he plans to prepare for the general election, Derek Hopkins was still enjoying Tuesday's win.

"It's too early to say right now. We just need to step back and regroup," Derek Hopkins said.

The Register of Wills is a county position with a four-year term that coincides with the gubernatorial term. According to the Office of the Register of Wills, the job includes "appointing personal representatives to administer decedents' estates, overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings," and assisting the public with forms related to the these matters, as well as "determining and collecting inheritance taxes and court costs and fees."