Recount upholds defeat of Howard council member

The recount of a two-vote primary race in Howard County ended Wednesday with the same result — but a slightly wider margin.

Liz Walsh held onto her upset win over incumbent Howard County Councilman Jon Weinstein in the Democratic primary. Walsh, a political newcomer in Howard, saw her margin expand from two votes to six in the recount conducted by the county Board of Elections.

The final tally was 3,175 votes for Walsh and 3,169 for Weinstein.

Walsh said she was grateful to the election staff for running a smooth recount, and said she’ll now focus on November’s general election, where she’ll face Republican Raj Kathuria, who was unopposed in his party’s primary.

“We feel good,” she said. “[This] validated that every vote counts.”

Weinstein, who represents Ellicott City, was the only incumbent council member vying for re-election. The results means the five-member council will have all new members after the general election.

He could not be reached for comment, but in a statement posted on his campaign website conceded defeat.

“The election and recount process worked as designed, to count and confirm every vote, and the results show that I did not prevail,” the statement said.

“There will be a proper time to reflect on this outcome, but for now my thoughts are for the future of District 1 and Howard County, especially Ellicott City’s recovery and rebuilding,” wrote Weinstein, referring to the aftermath of the May flood that devastated the historic district.

The county’s Board of Canvassers, made up of three Republicans and two Democrats, certified the results.

Walsh came to the recount early in the morning and returned for the conclusion. Weinstein did not attend.

Both sent attorneys to monitor the proceedings. Walsh was represented by Dara Lindenbaum, a Washington-based lawyer who has had other recent experience with recounts, including a 2014 Prince George’s County Council race that was decided by six votes. She represented the winner, Deni Taveras, who held onto his win during that recount.

Weinstein was represented by attorneys Sydney Patterson and Bruce Marcus of the Greenbelt firm MarcusBonsib LLC.

During the day a blue tape line separated onlookers from election staff, and attorneys peered over the shoulders of elections officials as they tallied the ballots, one by one.

The recount finished in just over four hours, several hours earlier than anticipated. The recount was completed even before pizza arrived for the staff.