Reilly Tops King, Weinstein To Face Benoit

Gambrills restaurant owner and former Maryland delegate Jim King fell short in his quest to claim a seat in the state senate, losing out to incumbent Ed Reilly of Crofton in Tuesday's Republican primary for District 33.

Unofficial results showed that Reilly secured just more than 6,600 votes, or 52 percent, with King garnering about 5,250, or 41 percent. Brian Benjers of Crofton got 859 votes.

King had campaigned on a platform of lower taxes and smaller government, outlining a 10-point economic recovery plan that called for spending cuts and a reduction in unemployment benefits. But voters ultimately supported the gregarious Reilly, another fiscal conservative and former county council member who took over the seat vacated by Janet Greenip in June of 2009. 

Meanwhile, voters may have to wait a while for the final results of the Republican primary for House seats from District 33A. With five candidates vying for two spots, former county council member Cathy Vitale had a sizable lead, but the rest of the race was too close to call. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, unofficial tallies showed that incumbent Tony McConkey led former school board member Vic Bernson 3,072 to 2,976, a gap of fewer than 100 votes. Newcomer Sid Saab was another 45 votes back. McConkey, however, declared victory on his campaign Web site Tuesday night, thanking voters for electing him to a third four-year term.

In the Republican primary for the District 4 county council seat, attorney Charlotte Weinstein beat salesman Tim Hallihan, and will face the well-funded incumbent Democrat Jamie Benoit in November.

In the Democratic primary for District 21, incumbent delegates Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Barbara Frush and Ben Barnes prevailed over challengers Brian McDaniel and Devin Tucker.

In the House race among District 32 Republicans, Wayne Smith, Stephanie Hodges and David Starr appeared to secure their spots on the November ballot.  District 32 Democrat James E. DeGrange ran unopposed.

The Greater Odenton Improvement Association has invited all winners from Tuesday's primary election to a candidates' forum at the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.