Barr and Harvey to join Cline, Wagner and Keefer as Washington County commissioners
Washington County Board of Commissioners members Jeff Cline, Wayne Keefer and Randy Wagner won in Tuesday's general election, joined by fellow Republicans John Barr and Derek Harvey in the top tier of votes, according to incomplete, unofficial results.
Barr, a former commissioner, picked up the most votes with a total of 27, 121, or 17.38 % of the vote. He enjoyed the strong showing throughout the evening.
With all 55 precincts reporting in the race for the five-seat board, Cline had 26,933 votes or 17.26% of the vote, Wagner, 25,566 votes or 16.38%, Keefer, 25,553 votes or 16.37%, and Harvey, 24,088 votes, or 15.44% of the vote, according to results.
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Democrats Dave Williams and Sterling Sanders, who automatically advanced in the July primary to face the Republicans in Tuesday's election, trailed with 13,581 votes and 12,653 votes respectively.
More vote counting remains to be completed. Among ballots turned in were at least 9,201 mail-in ballots that had been received as of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. And that number was expected to increase. Election officials said 4,000 of those ballots were counted Tuesday night.
Election officials hope to certify the election on Nov. 18.
The five Republican candidates advanced to the general election after winning in the July 19 Republican primary that included 15 candidates.
The two other current sitting commissioners are Terry Baker and Charlie Burkett, also Republicans. Baker did not seek reelection because he ran for Maryland House of Delegates seat and Burkett lost in the primary.
Previously:Crowded field of Washington County commissioner candidates answer questions
Cline is finishing his third term, Keefer is completing his second term and Wagner is finishing his first term.
Barr, of Clear Spring, was a commissioner from 2006 to 2018 and Harvey, of Smithsburg, is a former Trump administration adviser and a retired U.S. Army colonel.
Sanders, of Hagerstown, is a security officer and Williams, of Smithsburg, is a retired library media specialist from Washington County Public Schools.
Cline said previously that effective use of taxpayer funds to invest in the community is vital. On the other hand, Keefer said he supports allowing taxpayers to keep more of their money and letting them decide how to invest in the community.
While Wagner said he voted to lower income and property taxes, he said it's essential to invest in public safety and infrastructure.
Harvey said community investment is needed, but it must be carried out in a "prudent and fiscally conservative" approach. Barr said public education, public safety and infrastructure demand investment by the commissioners.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Republicans sweep Washington County commissioners balloting
