Maryland election results for 2022: Andy Harris wins re-election, Moore wins as governor

Maryland will see many changes in top positions as voters head to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 8

At the top is the marquee battle for governor featuring Democrat Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox, but there are many races being contested today.

MORE:Eastern Shore live election results and updates for 2022

MORE:Everything to know before you head out to vote: Maryland 2022 election

Other statewide positions on the ballot include U.S. Senator, comptroller and attorney general. Also look here for updates on crucial U.S. House races in Maryland's 1st District on the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland's 6th District, the latter of which could flip to the GOP.

Delmarva Now will be reporting live throughout Election Day 2022. Refresh this page for the latest updates.

Wes Moore wins governor race: AP

Democrat Wes Moore has been elected Maryland’s first Black governor.

Moore, a best-selling author in his first run for public office, defeated Republican Dan Cox in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Moore’s victory flips a governor’s office from Republican to Democratic. Of the 36 governor’s races this year, Maryland and Massachusetts represented one of the best chances for Democrats to regain a governor’s office.

With the slogan “leave no one behind,” the former combat veteran and former CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty organizations campaigned on creating equal opportunity for Maryland residents.

Harris wins re-election to House seat: AP

Andy Harris has won re-election to his 1st District U.S. House seat, according to the Associated Press, defeating Democratic challenger Heather Mizeur by 60% to 37.5%

Anthony Brown wins attorney general race: AP

Anthony Brown has won the race for Maryland attorney general, according to the Associated Press, defeating Republican Michael Peroutka by 61.1% to 38.9%.

Brooke Lierman wins comptroller race: AP

Democrat Brooke Lierman defeated Republican Barry Glassman, 58% to 42%, to become Maryland's next comptroller.

Recreational marijuana amendment passes in Maryland

Maryland voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana in a constitutional amendment Tuesday.

Lawmakers already approved legislation this year to take steps to changing the law regarding cannabis, but the General Assembly left matters of licensing and taxes for lawmakers to decide next year.

The constitutional amendment defines that recreational marijuana would not be legal until July 2023 for people 21 and over, subject to a requirement that the General Assembly pass legislation in its next session regarding distribution, regulation and taxation of cannabis.

Van Hollen wins second term in Senate: AP

Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has won a second term by defeating Republican Chris Chaffee.

Van Hollen had been considered a heavy favorite on Tuesday in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1, and his seat was considered a safe one for Democrats.

The 63-year-old was elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving seven terms in the U.S. House.

Long a champion of the Chesapeake Bay, Van Hollen praised passage of clean energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act. He has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump’s administration for rolling back environmental protections.

Recreational marijuana on ballot as amendment

Maryland voters are deciding whether to legalize recreational marijuana in a constitutional amendment. Lawmakers already approved legislation this year to take steps to implement recreational marijuana with voter approval, but the General Assembly left matters of licensing and taxes for lawmakers to decide next year.

The constitutional amendment defines that recreational marijuana would not be legal until July 2023 for people 21 and over. The legislation includes provisions spelling out a transitional period between Jan. 1 and July 1 that would include a fine for possession of marijuana of under an ounce and a half.

In addition, legislation will remove criminal penalties for up to 2.5 ounces and create a civil citation. Existing laws on marijuana possession would apply to possession of more than 2.5 ounces.

It also makes changes in criminal law and creates a process for expungement of past marijuana possession convictions.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Maryland live election results and updates for 2022: Governor and more