Here's how Harford County candidates are reacting to election results

Jul. 26—As the Harford County midterm primary elections near a close — the final two vote-counting canvasses are scheduled for later this week — candidates running for county positions shared their reactions online and on social media, with some celebrating, others expressing disappointment, at the results.

State Sen. Bob Cassilly, the leader in the Republican primary for Harford County executive with two-thirds of the vote, shared his gratitude in a Friday campaign email.

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"I entered the race for county executive because I knew that we needed a new direction for our county," Cassilly wrote, "but I was less certain about our ability to win. Our victory would not be possible without the constant and uplifting support my team and I received from so many of you."

Cassilly's opponent, Billy Boniface, wrote in a Facebook post the day after the election: "The election yesterday did not go as we had hoped, but our team can be very proud of the race we ran. I congratulate Sen. Bob Cassilly on his victory and wish him well. Best of luck in the general election and going forward leading our great county."

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Alison Healey, the leading candidate in the Republican primary for state's attorney, declared victory on her campaign Facebook page and said she's looking to the future.

"I am looking forward to working to transition the office in a positive way for the benefit of Harford County citizens," she wrote.

Healey will be the first female state's attorney in the county's 248-year history. No Democrats sought the office.

Jessica Boyle-Tsottles, the leading candidate in the Republican primary for the District E County Council seat, said in a Facebook post that she was humbled at the support she received. She beat incumbent council Vice President Robert Wagner, who was first elected to a council seat in 1990, served as council president from 2002-06 and returned to council in 2018.

"I'd like to thank and offer my gratitude to Councilman Wagner for his long history of service to this county," Boyle-Tstottles wrote. "To everyone that supported me and believes in me, I am so grateful,"

In conceding, Wagner said on his Facebook page: "The election may be over, but my appreciation to all those that supported my campaign continues. I wanted to take a moment and thank my family, the volunteers, and those who voted for your unwavering trust and support. My most fervent hope is that our community continues to thrive."

County Council member Andre Johnson thanked House District 34A residents for their votes in the Democratic primary on his campaign Facebook page, run by the Friends to Elect Andre V. Johnson.

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"I found it incredibly humbling how so many people would cast their very important vote for me, it was inspiring and very motivating to know your service to the people has not gone unnoticed," he wrote.

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Heather Mizeur leads the Democratic primary in the First Congressional District, where Republican Rep. Andy Harris is seeking reelection. She wrote in a campaign email: "Being the nominee to represent this beautiful district is one of the greatest honors of my life. Folks from the Eastern Shore, Harford and Baltimore counties deserve dignified leadership that turns down the partisan rhetoric and turns up the problem-solving, and with me, that's what they'll get."

Christian Miele, the leading Republican in the primary for the District 34 state Senate seat, posted on his state Senate campaign Facebook page that his victory was "a testament to what's possible when candidates for public office focus not on themselves but on the people they are here to serve. Each and every one of you has inspired me to continue fighting for the people of Harford County. America is heading in the wrong direction and change must start here at home."

Miele previously was a state delegate representing Baltimore County from 2015 to 2019 before moving to Harford County, where his wife, Jessica, is from.

Miele's opponent, Walter "Butch" Tilley, congratulated Miele on Facebook and urged Republicans who voted for him to vote for Miele in the general election.

In House District 7B, created in redistricting this year, Del. Lauren Arikan leads Del. Rick Impallaria and three other candidates for the lone seat. Arikan and Impallaria both currently serve District 7.

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"Citizens in Harford County recognized the honesty and hard work I put in on their behalf over the last four years," Arikan said. "I am grateful for the overwhelming support and trust voters placed in me this election."

Arikan has the support of Harris, whose redrawn congressional district includes all of District 7B in Harford County and most of District 7A in Baltimore County.