About 8 Percent of District 6 Voters Probably Picked Leslie Johnson's Replacement Today

About 8 percent of eligible District 6 voters played a major role today in deciding who would replace former County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson.

According to county election board numbers, as of 6 p.m. 5,298 of 69,065 eligible voters had unofficially voted in the special primary to replace Johnson, who resigned in July after being federally charged with .     

There are 15 candidates in today’s primary, 14 Democrats and one Republican. One Democrat and one Republican will advance to the Oct. 18 general election.  Because District 6 is heavily Democratic, the winner of the today’s special primary is expected to take the general election.

Daneen Banks, deputy administrator of the Prince George’s County Board of Elections, said that in South Bowie, 286 of 2,275 eligible voters voted today for a turnout of 13 percent.

Voters told Patch they weren’t angry. Instead, determination was the spirit expressed by South Bowie residents—a determination to quickly fill the seat with improved, quality representation.

“Why would I would be angry with anyone?” said Ron Lewis. “Who would I be angry with? What happened is the way of the world sometimes. You just have put it aside and get back to business.”

The names that were often on the lips of voters were Democrats Derrick Leon Davis and Arthur Turner.

“A lot of young people don’t make it out here,” said Joann Walker. “Well I’m young, and I wanted to show support for our system. I’m voting for Derrick because he’s got young, fresh ideas.”

George and Jackie Macon said they voted for Turner. “He’s done some great things in bringing new businesses to Prince George’s County,” said George Macon. “You get a real sense of where he is coming from.”